Darren Oliver Returns to the Rangers

Sep 29, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Darren Oliver (38) tips his hat to the fans after striking out Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Tampa defeated Toronto 7-6. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Darren Oliver spent 20 years pitching in the major leagues, and ten of those were for your Texas Rangers. Today, according to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, he is not a coach with the Rangers.

"The Rangers and Oliver have not yet set a schedule. With two sons, ages 11 and 13, at his home in Southlake, Oliver does not want a full-time coaching position."

Oliver had three different stints with the Rangers, including most recently pitching for the Rangers in their World Series years. I had the pleasure of interviewing Oliver a couple years ago when he was a Ranger, and he could have not been a nicer guy. He has had roots in the DFW area for a very long time and I for one am glad to see him come back to the Rangers organization that gave him his first chance in the majors.

As mentioned in the quote from Fraley’s article above, the Rangers are not yet sure exactly what role Oliver will play, but he is at least helping out in mini camp at the moment. Ron Washington is excited because of all the experience that Oliver will bring to the young pitchers as a coach. We don’t know yet what this will turn into, or if it will be a permanent or even long term thing, but what we do know is that Oliver has always liked this area, and he has always liked being a Ranger. It seems like a good fit for both, and I hope it works out to a good relationship on both sides. What we do know is he has a lot of pitching knowledge to share with the Rangers young pitchers, and that he did it successfully for a very long time. So congratulations to Darren and the Rangers, I look forward to seeing what they can do together.