Kevin Kennedy knows the Texas Rangers are a power team. He also wants them to learn to run the bases and play defense.
"I'm aware there is a lot of talent on the team, but you can have power and still make things happen on the basepaths," Kennedy said. "And I will stress fundamentals from Day One in spring training."Kennedy, bench coach of the Montreal Expos, on Monday was given two years to do what 12 managers ahead of him have never done: get the Rangers into the playoffs.
"I think being No. 13 is a good omen," Kennedy said. "I'm about winning. I expect to win."
Kennedy of Tarzana, Calif., succeeded Toby Harrah, who was 32-44 after replacing the fired Bobby Valentine in July.
Harrah was offered another job in the Rangers organization, but general manager Tom Grieve said Harrah has yet to say whether he will stay with the club.
Grieve said Kennedy won't be given time to rebuild.
"Our goal is to win the American League championship," Grieve said. "It's important to me to win next year."
Kennedy immediately went to work on assembling a staff. Texas pitching coach Tom House could be on his way out, replaced by Claude Osteen, who has worked with Kennedy.
"That's the task at hand right now," Kennedy said. "I need to get a staff together."
Kennedy was a successful minor league manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, posting a 533-373 record in eight years from 1984 to 1991. As a player, Kennedy was a minor league catcher, reaching the Triple-A level.
"I've been in the game 18 years and I haven't felt like a rookie since 1976," Kennedy said. "There's no question I'm prepared for this opportunity. I've served my apprenticeship. There was nothing left to do in the minors."
He becomes the eighth current major league manager with a catching background, joining Rene Lachemann, Gene Lamont, Jim Leyland, Johnny Oates, Buck Rodgers, Jeff Torborg and Joe Torre.
"I appreciate the Rangers giving me this opportunity to manage in the major leagues. It's been a long time coming for me," Kennedy said.
The 38-year-old Kennedy said the Rangers will run and play better defense.
"My style is very aggressive," he said. "I like to make things happen. I like to run.
"I expect execution and I stress fundamentals. I believe I'm a good communicator and I enjoy the rapport with players," Kennedy said.
He said he patterns his style after Leyland of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who also never played in the big leagues.
"I respect the way Jim runs a ballclub," Kennedy said. "He runs a good game, and I'd like to do that.
"If you asked me if I'm a disciplinarian or a players' manager, I'd say I'm probably a combination of both. There are times you need discipline and there are times you need to talk to a player and find out what makes him tick. I enjoy being around personalities. It makes it fun. I don't want to have any clones on the team."