ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers general manager Jon
Daniels received a one-year contract extension today despite the
team having the worst record in the major leagues.
The 29-year-old Daniels now has a contract through the 2009
season. He's now in his second season as the Texas G-M.
Going into tonight's home game against the Chicago Cubs, the
Rangers are 26-and-43 under rookie manager Ron Washington. The
Rangers were 17-and-a-half games behind the American League
West-leading Los Angeles Angels.
In a statement issued today, Rangers owner Tom Hicks says he's
"always been a believer in 'J-D' and his management team." He
said that while the organization's disappointed with its record so
far, he knows Daniels can make the Rangers into a consistent
contender.
When Daniels replaced John Hart in October 2005, he became the
youngest G-M in major league history. Texas was 80-and-82 last
season.
Texas hasn't been to the playoffs since 1999, after the last of
its only three American League West titles -- all within a
four-year span. The Rangers were eliminated in the first round of
the playoffs each time by the New York Yankees.