Texas fires Banister as manager

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister on Friday after the team stumbled to its first consecutive losing records in 10 years after winning AL West titles in each of his first two seasons.

Texas announced the move with 10 games left in Banister’s fourth season, and general manager Jon Daniels said the decision wasn’t based on the record.

“There are times when you’re looking for a new voice, and the new voice for the leadership,” Daniels said. “Jeff did a very good job for us. Ton of passion and energy and care for everybody involved, and we just made a decision that a new voice at this point was needed.”

In a season when the focus turned to the development of their younger players, the Rangers took a 64-88 record into the Friday night’s game against Seattle to open the final home series of the year. They had lost four in a row and 11 of 15.

Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, starting with the three-game series against the Mariners. The Rangers will finish the season on the road next week against the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle.

Banister became the third manager in the majors to be fired this season, along with Mike Matheny of St. Louis and Bryan Price of Cincinnati.

Daniels said he informed the 54-year-old Banister of the decision earlier Friday. Banister was under contract through next season.

“We had some great times here, but it doesn’t last forever,” Banister said.