Introduction to Skip Schumaker
Here are 10 things to know about the newest Texas Rangers manager in Skip Schumaker.
1. It’s Official
On Friday, the Rangers made it official: They hired Schumaker as the club’s next head coach, signing him on for a four-year deal through 2029.
“We are thrilled to announce this promotion and have Skip leading this club in the dugout,” Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young said. “Over his past year as a senior advisor to our baseball operations group, Skip has proven to be driven, passionate and thorough in everything he does. He has a winning spirit and energy, and we are fortunate that someone so highly regarded in the industry has agreed to become our manager.”
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2. They Got Their Guy
The Rangers’ managerial search didn’t last long, and the team didn’t have to look far.
Schumaker was always the leading candidate for the job. The Rangers did not interview any other candidates or even talk to anybody externally. Nor did they give any clubs permission to talk to Schumaker, who was a hot commodity among the five teams that had managerial openings after the 2025 season.
It seems the Rangers got their guy, the one they wanted from the jump.
3. Bumpy Timing
News of Schumaker’s hiring broke late on Friday night, curiously timed after the club had its big end-of-season press conference just a few hours before.
But the Rangers aren’t likely to introduce Schumaker for at least a few days even after the official announcement. MLB frowns on teams making announcements during game days during the postseason, which is what led to some of this awkward dance on Friday. The Rangers hadn’t finalized the deal with Schumaker by the morning, but then had to rush to make the official announcement before the division series matchups start Saturday.
4. Already Has Some Skins on the Wall
Schumaker has coaching experience with the Padres and Cardinals and two years of managerial experience with the Marlins.
His tenure in Miami spanned two seasons from 2023-24, and he was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2023 after guiding Miami to an 84-78 record and a surprising playoff berth.
Having a Manager of the Year award on your résumé certainly can’t hurt during interviews with teams.
5. Bochy’s Successor?
It’s clear now that the succession plan all along was for Schumaker to take over after the departure of former Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who was at the helm for three seasons and led the club to its first championship.
Following the 2024 season, the Rangers added Schumaker to the front office as a senior advisor.
When the hire happened, given Bochy’s age and expiring contract and Schumaker’s managerial experience, it was presumed that Schumaker would be in line to take over as the Rangers manager when Bochy stepped away.
Will Venable was widely considered the Rangers’ manager-in-waiting behind Bochy, but the White Sox hired Venable as their manager following the 2024 season. About a week later, Texas hired a new manager-in-waiting in Schumaker.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Texas also hired Schumaker’s bench coach with the Marlins, Luis Urueta, to replace Venable in the dugout.
6. Strange Exit in Miami
With two games left in the 2024 season, Schumaker left the Marlins due to a family emergency and informed players he wouldn’t return for the 2025 season either.
When Marlins GM Kim Ng resigned in 2023 after the team proposed hiring a president of baseball operations over her, Schumaker requested his team option for 2025 be removed ahead of the 2024 season. According to the Miami Herald, this was primarily fueled by his disagreement with the organization’s direction.
So, while his tenure in Miami didn’t last very long, the circumstances of his quick exit didn’t hurt his reputation around baseball as a top managerial candidate.
7. Sense of Familiarity
As a senior advisor, Schumaker was around the big league team as an observer this season. He was involved in personnel conversations. He visited minor league affiliates. He had an ability to audit the system few ever get ahead of taking a job. He knows better than anyone what he’s getting into.
The sense of familiarity within the club is a luxury most incoming managers don’t get.
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8. Not-So-Fun Rangers Memories
Schumaker had an 11-year career in the MLB, playing for the Cardinals from 2005-12, the Dodgers in 2013 and the Reds from 2014-15.
Yes, you read that right Rangers fans, his stint with the Cardinals includes 2011 when St. Louis topped Texas in a seven-game World Series.
In that World Series, Schumaker appeared in six games, notching two hits in 11 at-bats as a key reserve for St. Louis.
“They don’t remember Skip Schumaker the player,” he once said of Cardinals fans. “I was just blessed to be on a good team.”
I don’t know, Skip. Seems like they still love you in St. Louis.
9. Team USA Ties
When the World Baseball Classic takes place in 2026, Schumaker will be donning the red, white and blue
