Ron Washington has announced his resignation as the Rangers manager in a statement released to the media today. Bench coach Tim Bogar will take over as the interim manager, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter link). Washington’s statement in full…
“Today, I have submitted my resignation from the job I love – managing the Rangers – in order to devote my full attention to addressing an off-the-field personal matter. As painful as it is, stepping away from the game is what’s best for me and my family.
“This is in no way related to the disappointing performance of the team this season. We were already discussing 2015 and looking forward to getting the Rangers back to postseason contention.
“I deeply regret that I’ve let down the Rangers organization and our great fans. Over the past eight seasons, it’s been a privilege to be part of some of the best years in club history and I will always be grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here, and for the great management, players, and coaches who have made our time here a success. Thank you for respecting my privacy.”
Needless to say, Washington’s decision comes as a large surprise to the baseball world. Last February, he signed a contract extension that would’ve kept him in the Texas dugout through the 2015 season. Washington cited the Rangers’ poor 2014 season and yet there was no hint that his job was in jeopardy given how the team’s roster was decimated by injuries.
After spending a decade as a coach with the Athletics, Washington was hired by the Rangers prior to the 2007 season. He became the winningest manager in team history by posting a 664-611 record in Texas, leading the Rangers to their first two American League pennants (in 2010 and 2011) as well as an appearance in the 2012 wild card game.
Bogar is in his first year with the Rangers organization following a decade as a coach and minor league manager with the Astros, Indians, Angels, Rays and Red Sox. He has been mentioned in connection with a few Major League managerial posts in the past (most notably with the Astros before they hired Bo Porter) and he could be a candidate to continue as the Rangers’ skipper if he impresses over the final month of the season. With so many star players back healthy in 2015, the Rangers’ job could arguably be the most attractive managerial opening of the offseason.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports Images
Good luck Washington. I wish you the best.
Whatever his off the field issue/vice may be, it certainly can’t be held responsible for what happened to them this season. Still, I hope he gets the help he needs for whatever the issue may be.
Say whatever you want about Ron Washington. Yes he made a mistake with cocaine, yes he wasn’t the best in game manager out there, but he was loved by all of his players and led a Texas Rangers team to not 1, but TWO of their only World Series appearances. I will always feel bad for that 2011 Rangers team and I will always remember the amount of energy and fun Ron Washington showed in the dugout.
Managing isn’t that hard…tell him Wash!
Ron: “It’s incredibly hard”
Best wishes Ron!
Well said!!
I’m definitely shocked by this, definitely didn’t see that coming!
Hopefully it’s not his past drug problem I pray not
Was my first thought as well. If it is, at least it seems he recognizes it and is seeking help. That’s all we can really hope for for a person.
From what I heard last night it is apparently a difficult, family related issue.
This is a shame. He’s a great baseball guy that knows the game. Hopefully he will return soon
Jon Daniels said it wasn’t drug-related, but who knows…hope he gets things in order.
Maybe because it’s not his place to air the personal business of a former employee to the media?
Agreed. Just saying that if it was drugs that he’s able to kick the habit.
I have to agree with the crowd, this has the smell of the Rangers offering him a chance to resign with dignity.
It’s not drugs. There was a statement in the press conference stating that is not the reason, but the team has also said that they’re not disclosing the reason, that Wash would have to do that.
I wonder if he’ll return to Oakland? Mike Gallego seems to have filled the third-base coaching job nicely, but the A’s always respected Washington’s ability to coach infielders. Washington never seemed to burn any bridges despite playing the A’s 18 times a year.
Not a very good manager but at least he made a classy exit
First nolan ryan, then joan rivers and now ron washington. Three of the games all time greats and hall of famers. They will be missed
Nolan Ryan, what are you talking about? He didn’t pass away.Neither did Washington.
Yikes, did not see this coming. Washington managing the Rangers has been a staple of the baseball world for years now, it will be odd not seeing him at the helm. I sincerely hope this is not due to his past with drugs
He really brought them back to prominence. I think some forget how much of a mess they were in the early-mid 2000s post Oates.
I think Mike Maddux is another internal option that’ll likely get a look
So far early reports saying this isn’t drug related, but still its nothing to joke about
Not a terrible manager, just a poor manager ………. had he just been average the Rangers would have had one WS ring and maybe 2. ……….. A pitcher jerker for sure and too close to some players ……………. The manager position was the position with the most room for improvement ………. now that can happen ………..
cancer maybe? These days, i just assume anyone in his age group must have received some bad news from an annual health exam.
In any case, I wish him the best. It’s really unfortunate, but maybe Texas can let this be one more reason to look at next year as a “fresh start”
Cardinals fans should give me him a parting gift like teams are doing for Jeter. Maybe an honorary WS ring, because he was def. a big part of why they won it.
Hilarious. I think Feliz or Nelson Cruz would argue that.
Not a total surprise, given events of this season. The timing is interesting considering how the Dallas Morning News just speculated that Mike Maddux was going to have to make a decision soon about whether to leave the Rangers to pursue a manager’s job with the Astros or another organization and about promoting assistants in the organization. Sounds like problem solved: Maddux becomes Rangers manager and they promote Andy Hawkins or Brad Holman to pitching coach. Sounds good.
Please Ron, don’t fall on the sword for the organization that was collapsed by Jon Daniels. Put the sword in Jon. Ron had the most injured team in baseball, and had an all star team let go with CJ Wilson, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz all allowed to walk. Trades with John Danks, Justin Smoak, Chris Davis, Edinson Volquez…shall I go on? The only positive trade was Texeira before he was going to walk anyway. We got Elvis and some other good ones out of that. But couldn’t we keep Cruz, Pierczynski, Davis, etc? I get the Cliff Lee deal, for the WS. Nolan, come home, please!! And Jon, please go away.
Looks like some news leaked, just Google Ron Washington and look at the first few articles that show up.
Hopefully not, but certainly falling on his sword for the organization.