Former Oriole Manager Oates Hired by Rangers

Former Baltimore Oriole manager Johnny Oates was hired Wednesday to manage the Texas Rangers, the first step of a transformation that has the Rangers looking more like the Orioles of old.

Oates was given a two-year contract; its terms were not disclosed. He replaces Kevin Kennedy, who was fired by General Manager Doug Melvin last week and then beat out Oates for the Boston job.

“What this ballclub needed was a manager that had experience and also had a winning percentage of managing in the big leagues. The man to my right here, Johnny Oates, brings both of those qualities to the ballclub,” Melvin said at a news conference.

Said Oates: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for my family and myself. I can’t wait to get started.”

Oates, 48, becomes the fourth Ranger manager in 29 months and the 14th full-time manager in club history. He is the first with previous major league experience since Darrell Johnson served as interim manager for Don Zimmer at the end of the 1982 season.

Oates was fired as Oriole manager in September after Baltimore finished second in the American League East with a 63-49 record. The Orioles’ record during their last three seasons under Oates was 237-199.