Rangers hire Howe as bench coach

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers have hired Art Howe (how) as bench coach for first-time manager Ron Washington. <br/><br/>The Associated Press reports Howe's hiring was confirmed by two baseball

Thursday, November 9th 2006, 5:43 am

By: News On 6

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers have hired Art Howe (how) as bench coach for first-time manager Ron Washington.

The Associated Press reports Howe's hiring was confirmed by two baseball officials with knowledge of the decision.

The Rangers were unable to announce the move yesterday because the necessary paperwork had not been finalized with the commissioner's office.

Washington was a coach in Oakland the past eleven seasons, the first seven (1996-2002) when Howe was A's manager.

Washington this week took over for fired Buck Showalter.

Howe was a major league manager for 14 seasons with three teams. Besides Oakland, he managed the Houston Astros (1989-93) and New York Mets (2003-04).

This will be Howe's second stint as a Texas assistant. He was on Bobby Valentine's staff with the Rangers from 1985-88.