Jeff Banister fired as Ranger Director after 4 seasons | Bleacher's report

After nearly four seasons as manager, Jeff Banister was sacked by the Texas Rangers on Friday in the midst of 64-88. campaign.

According to the Rangers Executive Vice President of Communications John BlakeBanister's sacking takes effect immediately and he will be replaced by coach Don Wakamatsu on an interim basis for the last 10 games of the season.

In Texas, the 54-year-old has managed 325-313 to lead the Rangers to the playoffs on two occasions.

The Rangers have struggled to compete in the Western Hockey League this season, in part because of injuries sustained by a number of key players.

Texas is the last of the AL West, 31.0 games behind the Houston Astros and 10.5 points behind the Los Angeles Angels.

Second baseman Rougned Odor, shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. all spent time on the disabled list this season.

Texas has also set up a veteran-laden starting rotation that opposing teams are hitting too easily during the season.

Banister's tenure with the Rangers was promising as he won the AL West and qualified for the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.

After scoring 88-74 in 2015, Texas dropped in five games against the Toronto Blue Jays in the league series of the American League.

The Rangers then played 95-57 in 2016, but they were eliminated from the ALDS by Toronto.

Texas fell to 78-84 in 2017 and things continued to get worse for the team in 2018.

Despite their problems over the past two seasons, the Rangers have been one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball since 2010.

They reached the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2012, including two trips to the World Series.

After a two-year hiatus, the Rangers also played in the playoffs in 2015 and 2016.

Texas has never been able to win the title and win a world series in its series of success, and it seems far from competing for a championship given the importance of the American League .

A new voice in the clubhouse may be beneficial for the Rangers, but given the poor performance of the team, a rebuild may be necessary.