Tim Bogar replaces 'a really good friend' as Rangers' manager

Former Rangers bench coach Tim Bogar, much like the Rangers organization and its fanbase, was blindsided by the news of Ron Washington's resignation Friday.

He was informed Friday morning that he would become the club's manager for the remainder of the 2014 season.

"It's obviously not exactly how you want to become a manager for the first time, especially when you take over for a really good friend," he said.

Bogar has known Washington for a long time. Washington coached Bogar at Triple A Tidewater in the New York Mets organization in 1991-92. Bogar has been Washington's colleague and right-hand man in 2014 as the Rangers' bench coach.

"He basically taught me how to make it to the big leagues," Bogar said.

"But most of all I feel like I'm his friend. That's what I'm going to miss most is his friendship, and the time we spent on the bench," he said in a voice quivering with sadness.

It's Bogar's team, but Washington's approach with the players -- to show them love -- will live on in the team's new manager.

"One thing he taught me the most is that [the players] don't care what you know until they know that you care," he said.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Bogar will serve as the interim manager and long-time Ranger Bobby Jones will take Bogar's old role as the team's bench coach. "We haven't gotten much further beyond that," he said.

Bogar was the natural choice as the club's manager in the eyes of the Rangers' brass.

"Tim is very well regarded," Daniels said. "He's got the respect of his peers and the players. He's hard working, organized, knowledgeable about the game, respected on the staff."

After emphasizing the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his promotion, Bogar said he now has a job to do. And that job is to get the most out of his players for the final 22 games of the year, he said.

"This is an opportunity for a small, brief window to gain trust with the players and gain trust with the front office and do things the correct way," Bogar said. "I think I've coached with enough managers that do it the right way that have taught me enough so that when this opportunity did come I'd be prepared for it."

Ron Washington was certainly one of those.