Texas Rangers Fire Hitting Coach Donnie Ecker Amid Offensive Struggles

The Texas Rangers have fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker following the team's continued offensive struggles, despite his pivotal role in their 2023 World Series championship. Ecker, who joined the Rangers in 2021, was let go after the team posted a disappointing 17-18 record and ranked near the bottom of the league in key offensive metrics such as batting average and OPS. The move comes after a rare 8-1 win, but the club's general manager Chris Young cited the need for a 'new voice' to help pursue postseason goals. Key players including Marcus Semien and Adolis García have underperformed, and recent acquisitions like Joc Pederson and Jake Burger have struggled as well. The Rangers, known for a strong pitching staff this season, have not yet named Ecker's replacement but are expected to address the structure of their hitting staff soon. News reports indicate that Bret Boone, a former MLB All-Star, will take on the role of hitting coach, marking his first major league coaching position.