Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister is one of three finalists for the Texas Rangers open manager position that was vacated by Ron Washington due to personal reasons late this season.
Banister has been a part of the Pirates organization for 29 years which includes one game in the majors — a pinch hit appearance against the Braves in 1991 where Banister singled — which has him in the Pirate record books with a 1.000 batting average. He also spent seven years in the Pirates minor league organization where he hit .247 primarily as a catcher.
Banister then took to managing in the Pirates minor league organization from 1993 until August of 2010 where he took the Major League bench coaching position. He then kept the position once Clint Hurdle took over as manager and aided in the reemergence of the team as playoff contenders.
The Rangers have also selected their current interim manager Tom Bogar and Indians Bullpen coach Kevin Cash as finalists.
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