Arlington, Texas ? Jerry Narron was fired as manager of the Texas Rangers on Tuesday after the team’s third straight last-place finish in the AL West.

Narron went 134-162 after taking over in May 2001, including a 72-90 mark this season. He replaced Johnny Oates after the team started 11-17 last year.

“This has been a very difficult decision because I like and respect Jerry Narron,” Texas general manager John Hart said. “But we have to make some tough decisions now. Our fans deserve better than the record and performance of the 2002 Texas Rangers.”

Narron is the fifth manager fired since Sunday, the last day of the regular season.

Hart spent several hours Monday and Tuesday meeting with owner Tom Hicks and assistant general manager Grady Fuson about the future of the team. Hart said he made the decision Monday night.

“I would like there to be a different voice as we establish a different culture and a different era,” he said.

Narron drove home to North Carolina after Sunday’s season-ending game. He had one year left on a two-year deal signed two months after he replaced Oates.

“I was just told they wanted to go in a different direction,” Narron said Tuesday night. “I’m sure he needs his own guy, and would like his own guy.”

Hicks said: “I am convinced that John and Grady have made a thorough and complete evaluation in reaching the decision to change managers.”

Jerry Narron, seen watching the Texas Rangers' last game of the season, was fired Tuesday after the team's third straight last-place finish in the AL West.

The Rangers also fired trainer Danny Wheat after 11 seasons. Wheat joined the organization in 1976 and had been with the big-league team since 1985.

Texas struggled all season, even with All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez hitting .300 and leading the majors with 57 homers and 142 RBIs, and an opening-day payroll of $105 million.

“I’m a baseball guy. I believe in bottom-line accountability,” Narron said. “I’ve never made any excuses, and I don’t plan to now. You go back to the win-loss record, and it’s not what we all hoped.”

Part of the problem was injuries. The Rangers had 17 players spend a team-record 1,429 days on the disabled list, including closer Jeff Zimmerman, two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez, 10-time All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, and expected No. 1 starter Chan Ho Park.

Narron used 51 players, including a club-record 27 pitchers.

“This season has certainly been very frustrating and painful for all of us,” Hart said. “Injuries have obviously played a major factor, but there are a number of areas in which we need to change and improve.”

Possible replacements include bench coach Terry Francona, pitching coach Orel Hershiser, and Buddy Bell. Another candidate could be former Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel, who worked for Hart with the Indians.