THE CHEATING CONTROVERSY involving the Astros could result in a homecoming for one of the area’s native sons.
La Marque High School alum Jeff Banister interviewed for Houston’s vacant managerial position and has become a leading candidate to replace AJ Hinch, who was fired alongside general manager Jeff Luhnow for their part in the sign-stealing scandal.
“It’d probably mean the world to me,” said Banister to Fox26’s Mark Berman following his interview on Wednesday. I care about this community. I care about this organization. I love the fact we had an opportunity to have a real rivalry within the state.”
Banister has served as a special assistant in the Pirates baseball operations since early last year after he was fired by the Rangers following the end of the 2018 season. Banister took the managerial reins of the Rangers in 2015 and won American League Manager of the Year that season. Texas made the AL playoffs in both 2015 and 2016 before falling to a combined 145-179 in his final two seasons in Arlington.
A three-sport athlete at La Marque, Banister overcame bone cancer during his sophomore year in school and avoided possible amputation of his right leg. He also overcame a broken neck in junior college before attending the University of Houston. He was drafted by the Pirates in the 1986 MLB draft and was promoted to the majors in 1991, where he recorded a hit in his first and only appearance at the plate.
Banister worked in the Pirates organization from 1994-2014 and interviewed for the Astros’ managerial opening before the team selected Hinch. Shortly afterward, he was named manager of the Rangers.
