Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505030058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ARLINGTON, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
Shortly after the Texas Rangers embarrassed themselves in the field and at the plate in Johnny Oates' debut as manager, he heard the old Eddie Stanky story.
Eighteen summers ago, Stanky was hired as the Texas manager. After running the team for all of one day, he quit.
Hearing that lesson in Rangers history softened the mood in Oates' office following a 4-1 loss Monday night. Having it posed in the form of a question really caught him off guard.
``Now that's the last thing I expected,'' Oates said, smiling. ``I had answers all ready about defense and a lack of hitting, but I wasn't ready for that.''
Oates, a former Virginia Tech standout, had plenty to be disappointed about. His team fell to 2-4, committing five errors and posting season lows with one run and five hits.
Instead, he seemed rather upbeat and in no way angry about the game.
``I'm glad to be back,'' said Oates, who missed the first five games while caring for his ailing wife. ``It's good to get the heart pumping again.''
Oates, hired in October after four seasons managing the Baltimore Orioles, spent a few days in his new office last month when he brought the replacement Rangers to The Ballpark in Arlington for two exhibition games.
Then the strike was settled and he returned to Florida to work with the guys he really was hired to manage. He wasn't there long before having to return to Richmond, Va., due to his wife's illness.
The team gave Oates a two-week leave of absence, and he wasn't expected back until the end of the week. But his wife, Gloria, improved over the weekend and he was able to return Monday.
His Monday lineup was patched, mainly because of injuries to two players who were healthy when he last saw them.
But since Oates left, No.3 hitter Will Clark banged up his left elbow and cleanup man Juan Gonzalez went on the disabled list with a bad back.
So Oates found himself turning in a batting order with only three of the nine spots filled by players in their expected spots. In the field, two reserves started. A third player had to be used at a different position.
Even though it didn't work out, Oates was positive.
by CNB