The ‘unsung hero’ of the Rangers is back for another mission
ARLINGTON: If Travis Jankowski learned anything this offseason, it’s that contentment and feeling at ease in your surroundings are inexhaustible.
He told his agent that he intended to rejoin the Rangers as soon as he became a free agent this offseason. That ought to come before the other teams. And even several other teams had offered the quick outfielder multiyear contracts, he chose to accept a one-year, $1.7 million deal to play in Texas again in 2024.
As a dynamic fourth outfielder, Jankowski is expected to finish 2024 in the same position that he left off in.
You want to play every day, obviously? Your goal is to play every day,” he remarked. But winning is more significant to me. Being a fourth or fifth outfielder on a successful team is something I’ll take 100% of the time because I believe in this team and what it stands for. It was a pleasure to visit the field each day last year. In teams I’ve been on, things aren’t done that way. There is no way to quantify that.
“You can’t give that any playing time. I’m going to go out there and do my hardest to be this game’s best fourth or fifth outfielder. That’s what I want to do. Certain things are only slightly more important to you than future earnings or playing time. I’m thrilled to be here and I think this is a very great bunch to be around.
During his nine-year major league career, Jankowski enjoyed one of his best seasons in his Rangers debut. He broke camp with the major league team last spring training despite being contracted to a Minor League contract, and he took full advantage of the chance.
Throughout 107 games with the Rangers last season, Jankowski batted.263 with a.357 on-base percentage. Ultimately, his greatest impact was when he replaced an injured Adolis García in the starting lineup in Game 4 of the World Series, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy described him as “a manager’s dream, to be honest.” “He is a man of great adaptability and versatility. He’s going to offer you a good start and a new look with his speed and defense when you want him to give a guy a day off. He can steal a bag for you and finds a way onto the base. He also makes a solid teammate. As a team, those men are vital. When you reflect on the season, they are essentially the unsung heroes.
Repealing that compliment to his manager, Jankowski mentioned Bochy as a major factor in his decision to move back to Texas.
Jankowski remarked, “Boch sees us as humans, you know, in a game that’s becoming very analytical.” I hesitate to state that [he] completely ignores analytics. He certainly pays attention to stats, but he also recognizes that, as emotional beings, we all have ups and downs during the course of a season.
“It truly motivates you to go out and win for him because your manager views you as a human being rather than a stat line or an analyst. He’s simply a great man that is knowledgeable about this game.
