Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Dallas Morning News
DATELINE: ARLINGTON, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
To walk through the Texas Rangers' clubhouse is to take a stroll on the wild side. The mingling of Spanish- and English-speaking players make the clubhouse an international bazaar. It is a loud, swirling place full of peacock personalities given to flamboyance.
When Johnny Oates walks into his new clubhouse as Rangers' manager, it will be culture shock. Baltimore was vanilla. The Rangers are tutti frutti. How Oates handles the change will have a significant impact upon his standing as manager.
``You sit down and let people know what you expect from them,'' said Oates, fired as Baltimore's manager in September after four seasons. ``They're certainly going to let you know when they don't agree with you. But I think by and large, the majority of players - if you let them know what you expect - they'll do it.''
Oates clings to an ``old school'' style that marked Baltimore. He frowns on demonstrative on-field displays that make the opponent look bad and has never been comfortable with flashiness in any form. The on-the-move, too-cool flip throws of shortstop Manuel Lee will not go over well with Oates, a firm believer in plant the feet and throw.
``I like to see guys playing with enthusiasm,'' Oates said. ``But I don't like to see them hotdogging it.''
Oates expects players to do their work and not have to be begged into taking batting and infield practice. In later seasons with Baltimore, Oates decreased his contact with players.
``He defines your role in spring training,'' Ripken said. ``He sort of sets a course and goes with it. It's not necessary to talk to players every day. We're professionals.''
The Rangers present a situation Oates rarely had to deal with in Baltimore. He must deal with more Latin players.
In Oates' last three seasons with Baltimore, he had only six Latin players appear in 30 or more games: Leo Gomez, Chito Martinez, Jose Mesa, Sherman Obando, Rafael Palmeiro and Fernando Valenzuela. Palmeiro was the only headline player in the group.
The Rangers this season had five Latin players appear in 30 or more games: Esteban Beltre, Jose Canseco, Juan Gonzalez, Manuel Lee and Ivan Rodriguez. Canseco, Gonzalez and Rodriguez are headline players.
``They're all people,'' Oates said. ``If you treat them right, they're going to treat you back right. You're going to run into a bad apple every time you go through a bushel. The idea is to not let that bad one mess the good ones up. But you're not going to run into too many bad apples in a bushel.''
The Rangers hired Kevin Kennedy as manager after the 1992 season because of his winter-league work and perceived ability to relate to Latin players, including speaking the language. General manager Doug Melvin said the club was interested in Phil Regan as manager for the same reasons. Regan went to Baltimore as manager.
By their actions, the Rangers placed importance on handling Latin players by helping them deal with the barriers of culture change. Oates, through no fault of his own, has little experience in the area.
With the recent departures of Julio Franco, Jose Guzman, Ruben Sierra and Palmeiro, the Rangers have cut their number of Latin players. The organization nonetheless depends on high-profile Latin players.
This will remain a Latin-flavored team. It is Oates' duty to get the most from all players. That duty has frustrated his predecessors.
``The only philosophy I've ever used with Latin players is I've tried to put myself in their position,'' said Oates, who speaks only a small amount of Spanish. ``You have to give them a little more stroking ... because I don't care if you're the highest-paid player in the world, that doesn't make up for the loneliness of being away from home and family.''
The attitudes of Gonzalez and Rodriguez are the challenges for Oates.
``Maybe I'm being too naive, but I'm looking forward to working with them,'' Oates said. ``They're two of the best players in the American League.''
``There might be some antagonism when guys try to agitate,'' Oates said. ``You deal with it.''
The Rangers have tried different methods. Will the Baltimore way play in a technicolor clubhouse?
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB