Former Rangers manager Oates dies

RICHMOND, Va. – After Johnny Oates was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2001, he made a commitment to live each day to its utmost.

Knowing his time was short motivated Oates to climb out of bed, even if it was just to see squirrels in the backyard or feel the sun warming his face.

Oates died Friday at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center at about 2 a.m., his wife and brother at his side, his son said. He was 58.

“He was very comfortable. He went very peacefully,” Andrew Oates, 28, said.

“I have learned more from him in the last three years than I did in the first 25. I think he’s accomplished more in the last three years and touched more people in the last three years.”

Oates was best known for managing the Texas Rangers to their first three postseason appearances, in 1996, ‘98 and ‘99. He resigned early in the 2001 season after the team lost 17 of its first 28 games despite the off-season addition of $252 million free agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

For Oates, the diagnosis of the aggressive tumor glioblastoma multiforme helped him to focus on the things that mattered most to him, primarily his family.

“When you look at it, it’s a blessing,” he said in a March 2003 interview with the Associated Press at his home near Richmond.

“Really, there’s only one day of the week that has any importance, and that’s today,” he said then. “You can’t do anything about yesterday and you can’t do anything about tomorrow. It’s just today.”

Oates left an indelible mark on the Rangers. When Oates was inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame in August 2003, manager Buck Showalter dedicated the manager’s office with a plaque honoring Oates.

“That will always be Johnny’s office. We’re just renting it and passing through,” said Showalter, who played for Oates in the minor leagues. “The definition of man and manager, Johnny’s picture will be next to it.”

Texas will retire Oates’ No. 26 before a game dedicated to him next season, the team announced. A commemorative patch will adorn the Rangers’ uniforms all next season, and the club will place No. 26 on the outfield wall, pending approval from baseball.

Oates shared the American League Manager of the Year award with New York’s Joe Torre in 1996, and managed the Baltimore Orioles from 1991-94.

He was considering a return to managing in October 2001 when the tumor was diagnosed. Doctors told him he’d likely die within months without surgery, and possibly within 14 months even if he had the procedure.

Oates survived more than three years, achieving goals such as attending the wedding of his daughter, the birth of a grandchild and simply spending more time with his wife, Gloria.

Showalter was among the friends that called regularly.

“Gloria said one of their prayers was that he would be in Heaven before Christmas,” Showalter said. “I bet there will be a heck of a baseball game up there tomorrow … no, the day after tomorrow. It will take John time to get organized.”

Oates had a regular season record of 797-746 and got his only postseason victory in 10 tries when the Rangers made their playoff debut, winning 6-2 at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 1, 1996. Texas lost the next three games and was swept by the Yankees in 1998 and again the next year.

Oates’ funeral will be Tuesday in Colonial Heights, followed by his burial in Chester.