Pirates hire Jeff Banister as special assistant

The Pittsburgh Pirates today hired Jeff Banister as a Special Assistant, Baseball Operations. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. 
Banister returns to the Pirates organization after spending the last four seasons as the manager of the Texas Rangers, where he compiled a 325-313 record. The 54-year-old Banister led the Rangers to back-to-back American League West Division titles in each of his first two seasons at the helm in 2015 and 2016 to become just the fourth manager to capture division crowns in each of his first two seasons as a Major League manager since the start of three-division play in 1994. 
Prior to joining Texas, Banister was a member of the Pirates organization for 29 seasons. In his most recent role with the Bucs, he served as the Bench Coach beginning on August 10, 2010 through the 2014 season.  
"Jeff Banister returns to the Pirates as a valuable resource, instructor and advisor for our front office, Major League team and player development system," said Huntington. "Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a passion for the Pirates back to the organization. We are thrilled to add a quality person and baseball man to help an organization that he loves get better."