The Texas Rangers are officially turning the page on the Bruce Bochy era, and they’re doing it with a familiar face already in-house. On Friday, the club announced that Skip Schumaker has been named its new manager, replacing Bochy just days after the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.
This is a significant hire for Texas, and not just because of the timing. Bochy’s departure comes less than two years after he delivered the Rangers’ first World Series championship in franchise history in 2023. The legendary skipper had been brought in to steady the ship, and he did exactly that. But now, with the team coming off an uneven 2025 season that ended with an 81-81 record and a third-place finish in the AL West, the Rangers have made a clear choice for the future.
Why Schumaker?
Schumaker, 45, isn’t just any candidate. He already has managerial experience with the Miami Marlins, where he won National League Manager of the Year in 2023 after guiding a surprising team to 84 wins and a postseason berth. While things went sideways in Miami during a 100-loss 2024 campaign amid a front-office-driven rebuild, Schumaker’s reputation as a communicator, motivator, and detail-oriented leader never took a hit.
In fact, his decision to step away from the Marlins after that turbulent season likely boosted his stock, showing he wasn’t interested in being a placeholder for a teardown. Texas recognized that, bringing him in last year as a senior advisor to baseball operations. From the moment he arrived, he was widely seen as Bochy’s potential successor.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young echoed that sentiment in the team’s announcement, calling Schumaker “driven, passionate and thorough” and praising his “winning spirit and energy.”
The Task Ahead
Schumaker inherits a Rangers team that should still be in the thick of contention, but 2025 was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in baseball. Injuries, inconsistencies, and underperformance combined to drop Texas back to the middle of the pack after their championship glow. Still, the core is strong: young stars like Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter, veterans like Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, and a pitching staff that—when healthy—can match up with anyone.
The challenge for Schumaker is bringing all of that talent back into alignment. He’s known for being hands-on with players, a manager who emphasizes accountability without losing the clubhouse. That could be exactly what Texas needs as it tries to re-establish itself as the team to beat in the AL West.
From Player to Skipper
Before becoming a rising star in the dugout, Schumaker enjoyed an 11-year playing career, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he earned a reputation as a scrappy, versatile infielder and outfielder. He won a World Series as a player in 2011, giving him the perspective of someone who knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage. Now, he’ll be tasked with bringing that same mindset to a Rangers clubhouse hungry to get back there.
Final Thoughts
Naming Schumaker as manager feels less like a gamble and more like a continuation of a plan that had already been set in motion. Texas knew that Bochy wasn’t going to be a forever solution, and Schumaker has spent the past year learning the inner workings of the organization. That familiarity, combined with his experience and demeanor, makes him a logical fit.
The Rangers have made it clear: they don’t see 2023 as a one-off. With Schumaker at the helm, they’re aiming to build something sustainable—and after a disappointing 2025, they’ll be expecting results right away.
