Skip Schumaker sends a clear message about Rangers clubhouse culture

After two years of steady decline following the Rangers' 2023 World Series-winning season, new head coach Skip Schumaker is looking to shake things up a little bit.

One of the most important things a new coach can do immediately is establish the kind of locker room culture that contributes to a winning atmosphere. Schumaker's first full-team address in Surprise makes his approach very clear-cut and easy to understand.

Schumaker wants "competitors over complainers" in his clubhouse and on the field

It had become clear that the World Series core group of positional players had gotten a little too comfortable under Bruce Bochy's player-friendly environment over the last couple of seasons.

It was a big reason that Chris Young and the soon-to-be Hall of Fame manager decided to part ways after the disappointing 2025 season and bring in some younger, fresh blood.

Schumaker is making it very clear that the days of resting on laurels and past accomplishments are over. In his first address to the full 66-man spring training roster, he stressed how he is looking for "competitors over complainers" in his clubhouse.

The 36-year-old manager from Torrance, California, knows that he needs to wipe the slate clean and establish a new way of doing things with this group, saying, “The separators are the competitors vs. the complainers...It’s how you win on the margins. I think that’s the separator because there are a lot of talented clubs out there and I think that’s how you can challenge projections.”

Schumaker doesn't want anyone who is going to detract from the Rangers' cohesiveness

While Schumaker has expressed that he wants the players to set their own culture of success, he will be watching for anyone who isn't rowing in the same direction as the others, saying, "If you have a couple of complainers or deflators, they’ll suck the life out of the clubhouse. And I think that’s what you’re trying to get away from, you know, those types. Every team has a couple of them, and you’re just trying to eliminate those as much as you can.”

Ranger fans will undoubtedly look upon Schumaker's desire to run a tighter ship very favorably. Still, the players have to police each other and continue to promote positive vibes throughout the rigors and ups and downs of a 162-game season.

The fact that the new skipper is addressing clubhouse culture from day one is refreshing, and a big part of the reason he and the other new coaches are here to begin the 2026 season.