Sad News

[Coach]

Former Ranger manager Johnny Oates has passed on. He had been struggling with health a lot the last few years. He was four weeks shy of his 59th birthday. A good guy and the best manager in Ranger history, this is sad news for all sports fans.

Link

Edited December 24, 2004 by Coach

[Eagle-96]

A sad day indeed. Johnny was a class act. I remember when he took time off from the Rangers to be with his ailing wife because in his words, "There are more important things in life". He took the Rangers to the next level on the field. More importantly, he showed us all class and passion for the game. I am saddened by his passing.

Edited December 24, 2004 by Eagle-96

[JayDub]

He was a classy guy and a great manager. I wonder sometimes where the Rangers would have gone if he would have been able to stick around and do it his way...without having A-Rod forced upon him.

A sad day for all Texas Ranger fans and all baseball fans.

Edited December 24, 2004 by JayDub

[Eagle since birth]

Just saw this as well, definitely a sad day for Ranger fans. Our prayers are with his family.

[blinky8286]

At his last Rangers press conference Johnny said "life isn't measured by wins and losses." Johnny was a great man, the baseball and cancer communities have lost a great one.

[Danish42]

I use to have a baseball card of him when he was coming up with Baltimore. He was back up to that other famous catcher they had during those great teams in the late 60's

[Greeneagle87]

This is coming from a sincere fan whos almost as serious about the rangers as he is about the Mean Green, he REALLY was the best manager we ever had fortunately(I know we're not supposed to post anything religion-orientedbut I will anyways) he was a christian man, I saw him on FSN a year ago, and he said he was ready to go.

I went to several rangers games this year including the last four, and I will sincerely miss him, he was great, just a respectable class act.