Showalter Takes On Texas-Sized Task With Rangers

Former New York Yankee and Arizona Diamondback manager Buck Showalter, a candidate for several current openings, was hired Friday by the Texas Rangers.

Showalter takes over a team that finished last in the American League West the past three seasons. Before that, the Rangers won their only three division titles in 1996, ’98 and ’99.

In seven seasons as a major league manager, Showalter has a 562-505 record. He was with the New York Yankees from 1992-95 and was Arizona’s first manager from 1998-2000. Each team went to the World Series the year after he left.

“Once you’ve been tried and tested, there’s a great confidence you get from being able to handle the heat,” Showalter said.

Ranger owner Tom Hicks and General Manager John Hart considered Showalter their top candidate from the outset of their search, which started when Jerry Narron was fired two days after the season.

Showalter also spoke with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets about their managerial openings this month. The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Devil Rays had expressed interest in him as well.

Since being fired by the Diamondbacks in 2000, Showalter, 46, has worked as an ESPN analyst.

Showalter will be the Rangers’ 16th manager, taking over a club that struggled all season--even with All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who hit .300 and led the majors with 57 homers and 142 RBIs, and an opening-day payroll of $105 million, the third-highest in baseball.

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A former business partner of Chicago Cub outfielder Sammy Sosa is facing charges that he conspired to sell illegal drugs and launder money, authorities said.

William A. Chase, 61, was arrested Thursday by Drug Enforcement Administration officers after he allegedly picked up 1,500 Ecstasy tablets from Charmaine Livingston, 40, of Lauderhill, Fla.

Chase was released Friday on $50,000 bond and did not comment as he left federal court in Fort Lauderdale. Livingston was also arrested on drug charges and was in federal custody Friday.

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A man who ran onto the field at Comiskey Park with his son and attacked a Kansas City Royal coach was indicted on three counts of aggravated battery and one of mob action.

William Ligue Jr., 34, was charged with attacking Tom Gamboa on Sept. 19 and causing the coach to lose some of his hearing. Ligue is being held on $200,000 bond. Ligue’s 15-year-old son faces juvenile charges of aggravated battery and mob action for attacking Gamboa and an off-duty state trooper who was working as a security guard.

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Philadelphia Phillie catcher Mike Lieberthal will have surgery Tuesday after hurting his right knee when he caught his shoe while getting out of a golf cart. Lieberthal has a small tear of the cartilage and is expected to be ready for spring training, Phillie General Manager Ed Wade said.... The Phillies hired former Boston Red Sox manager Joe Kerrigan as the team’s new pitching coach.... New York Yankee first base coach Lee Mazzilli was interviewed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, seeking a replacement for fired Manager Hal McRae. Willie Randolph will be interviewed Monday.