The Angels announced today that manager Ron Washington will stay on medical leave for the remainder of the 2025 season. Ray Montgomery will continue to serve as the interim manager. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times was among those to relay the info. Infield coach Ryan Goins will take up Montgomery’s previous bench coach role.
Reports emerged one week ago that Washington would be stepping out of the dugout for an indefinite amount of time due to an unspecified health concern. The issue still hasn’t been publicly specified but it is apparently serious enough that Wash won’t be resuming his managerial duties for the rest of the season.
Now 73 years old, Washington signed a two-year deal to manage the Halos ahead of the 2024 season. They went 63-99 last year but are faring much better so far this season. They are currently 40-40 and just one game back of a playoff spot. Shaikin reports that Washington’s contract has a club option for 2026.
Montgomery, 55, has been the bench coach for the Angels since 2022, which has allowed him to be a constant presence over multiple managerial tenures. Joe Maddon was the skipper at the start of 2022 but he was fired in June of that year. Phil Nevin replaced Maddon and held the role through the end of the 2023 season. After Nevin’s contract expired, Washington was hired for the 2024 campaign.
His managerial experience thus far is fairly limited. Nevin got a ten-game suspension in the wake of a brawl with the Mariners in 2022, with Montgomery stepping in to cover at that time. He’s been at the helm for the past week to replace Washington and will now seemingly get the job for the second half of the season as well.
Goins, 37, just retired from playing after the 2023 season. A month later, he was added to Washington’s staff as infield coach. He’ll now get a role change as the Angels adjust on the fly to cover for Washington’s absence.
Photo courtesy of Jason Parkhurst, Imagn Images
Get well Wash.Like the guy, but it might not be a bad thing.
Why would it not be a bad thing?
Maybe he thinks that Washington is holding the team back results-wise. Though he probably does what every other manager would do.
More likely Wash had medical issues in the past and best to get himself right/healthy.
GM and ownership is holding that team back. Wash was handed chicken $H1+, and he had zero chance to make Chicken salad.
So, a chicken sh¡t sandwich?
Get well Wash.
I’ll await details. Hope he’s OK. Angels were just starting a wild card push too.
Ever heard of Patient Privacy Laws?
Doesn’t apply to pro sports or the announcements of player injuries and treatments (torn Achilles, ACL, TJS, etc.) would be a daily HIPAA violation.
You’re not completely wrong, but as usual, it’s probably not that simple. Each players’ union would have differing laws with owners of each league. NFL vs NHL for example, each league seems to quite different injury disclosure procedures.
Yet Wash is management, not part o labor.
I doubt what that pro athletes are exempt from and privacy protections, it’s more about what their CBA lays out.
But a contract law expert who is familiar with major sports could speak to that more
Wait. So you don’t think ChuckyNJ is and authority on this?!?
@chief haha! But no, but I was pushing back on 16’s comment. Both of those commenters seemed to be typing with their brains on auto.
All the best to Ron. I’ve always respected him over the years from watching him almost take the Rangers to a WS title to him being accountable, upfront and honest in terms of his off the field mistakes. Hope to see him back soon.
About the Angels competing. Going into June, their pitchers ranked at or near the bottom in strikeout pct an bb pct. Likewise with the hitters. It was untenable.
For June. Pitchers 7th in K%. 12th in BB#..
For batters 17th in BB%. Still worst in K%. A poor but not insanely awful OBP.
If they slug, and just get on base a little more, they can compete.
Prior to June, it looked hopeless.
Negaive 46 run differential. Strange way to play .500 ball.
That starting rotation hasn’t missed a single start this year. If any of them go down, the depth behind them is non existent.
I’m enjoying this year, especially sweeping LA and Boston, but this .500 is hanging by a string.
I think Detmers is better than a couple pitchers in the current rotation. I think Dana is Jack Ks equal., maybe Silseth as well. It does not mean they are good, but neither is Jack K.
When Stephenson comes back, would it be that terrible to insert Detmers and send Jack back to AAA?
That’s exactly what I’d do but Dana has looked really bad lately.
No Dana he has not. But Jack K better pick it up. If Soriano or Kikuchi go down they are in trouble, the other three are replaceable.
If anyone was ever gonna get this team to play well and win games, it’s Wash. I hope he’s okay and is able to return at some point, if he so desires.
That’s the way life goes. Not mocking anyone or anything there, just a tip of hat to Mr. Washington and his famous quote and acknowledgement that we all will have to step back from something we love some day for some reason.
Get well Wash!
What a sock in the gut. I hope Ron Washington gets well soon. He’s done an amazing job with these young players, and the momentum was on the upswing. He will be missed.
To your point Teamspirit, he might be a key piece in helping Adell (amoung the others) break through, though still early and time will tell if Adell has finally figured it out. It’s like a light switch, K’s are down, hits are happening and the HR total is climbing. I’d given up on the kid. I think Ron was a big part of unlocking his potential, at least for now. Maybe Adell can keep it up and honor Ron in his absence?
Maybe that’s what’s wrong, he got a sock in the gut? Don’t eats socks kids.
Filet of sole and heel!
With shoe-fly pie.
Might be time to retire. Some folks don’t like retiring, but health comes first.
73 with his history using blow … yeah this might be a wrap on him being able to live this lifestyle. Always loved him when he was with the Rangers. Also always got a kick out of how he was one of those dudes that looked like he was 45 years old from the ages of 25-70 lol
I’ve always liked Wash. Get well soon.
Managing the Angels isn’t hard. Tell ’em, Wash.
Or at least as hitting coaches go?
As Jim Rice said when asked about analytics, “See ball, hit ball”
What did Manny Ramirez say?
“It’s incredibly hard” -Wash
It’s a taxing job especially at 73. They are back to 500 so that’s at least good. Maybe O’Hoppe gets to play more now.
Apparently Montgomery is more analytics based, so could be. At least, O’Hoppe NEEDS to play more.
I blame Wash’s health on Dipoto. Thanks Jerry.
Or maybe it’s that OC weather? It’s between 65 and 85 for about 300 days a year (hyperbole for point).
Some people need seasons.
I’m kind of fond of the three seasons we have in the Bay Area – spring, summer, and fall.
West Coast has more like two seasons: Spring and Fall. If you wanna know what Summer really feels like, live east of the Mississippi from mid-June through August….
I know of what you speak. I lived in Philadelphia for a most of my life. July humidity is ‘air that you wear’.
GI_holiday: Or it could just be genetics and heredity. Why is it necessary to assess blame?
Living in America
Sorry, I agree with GI – it’s clearly Dipoto’s fault. I am in favor of blaming Dipoto for anything and everything.
Get well soon Ron, everybody loved and respected you here in Atlanta!!
Hope it’s not what I think it could be if you know what I mean. At 73 it would be terrible. Lived in DFW many years and always liked him as Rangers manager.
beetlejuice: What do you think it could be, cancer?
Why are you afraid to just come out and say it? You not expressing it won’t affect any outcomes.
I believe he is inferring Washington relapsing.
Then why doesn’t he say so so nobody has to “know what he means?”
I’m wondering if the Angels will be in the market for a new Manager again next winter
Next as in the end of 2025 or 26? It was likely that he would get one more year to match up with Minassians contract, so after 2026 there will be a new manager, but maybe sooner, now.
Rsox: “Washington signed a two-year deal to manage the Halos ahead of the 2024 season.”
Sure sounds like it, don’t ya think?
Not reported in the article is that Washington’s contract contains a team option for 2026, which likely would be exercised under normal circumstances. Without knowing what his issue is we don’t know if it’s something that would cause the Angels to decline said option
If his health prevents it as it has this year, that would be a moot point.
And sadly, many illnesses get worse with time, not better.
He’s a legend.
I have liked and respected Ron Washington for many years however after he deals with this health emergency he might consider retiring to be able to focus more on his health.
Charlesm: He won’t be under contract anymore, so that seems likely.
Managing THAT team is enough to require an extended medical leave for ANYONE, let alone a guy who is 73 years old.
Before taking over, Montgomery should get a physical himself!!
Is Bo Porter not on the Halos staff anymore?
Why Goins as bench coach?
According to wiki, he’s the first base coach. I *thought* that I read/heard he was moved to 3rd, but maybe not.
Bo, John Wayne’s horse in True Grit!
There are a lot of people in their 70s that have health issues whether they used coke or not. Heck there are a lot of people who die before they reach 70. Ron Washington is a well respected coach and manager. Maybe try to be less of a judgmental “human”?
Hopefully it’s not substance abuse related
Toothpick related.
Could be, without being how you mean. Im wondering if he’s having some kind of cardiac issue that may or may not be a consequence of past drug use or the anxiety associated with getting his life back together.
Roguesaw2: Why are you speculating when you have no idea?
Get well Wash!
Anyone that knows the Angels this is the best remedy to reduce stress to a manager
Still love him even after a decade and a half. Speedy recovery for you, Wash.
Can’t say anything that hasn’t been said. Hope he can enjoy his family and loved ones for years to come.
It’s about Ron Washington health he’s had a long baseball career health is the most important thing right now wishing Wash a healthy recovery
I can definitely see the growth of this Angels team. Wash must have been a big part of that. Bummer that he needs to sit this one out. We are cheering you on buddy. Get well soon!
Watch, the team goes 50-32 the rest of the season.. (not saying it’ll happen)
And they beat the Dodgers in 7 at Los Angeles. Might as well go full boat here.
If the Angels do well in the remainder of the season, I will absolutely still give credit to Wash for his influence on helping this team mature into a winning ball club.
It won’t. They are 0-6 against the Orioles!
kellin: You just said it’ll happen.
@blue I was making a joke. It would be ironic if it happened, but I don’t think it will.
2025 ring, remember the 0# angels
Get well Wash. You turned around the culture of the Angels clubhouse and the fans here appreciate what you have done immensely. Coming into the season even the most optimistic of us would have been extremely happy with a .500 record and here we are at .500 with a shot at the playoffs. A big part of that was because of you.
Remember the titans remember the 02 angels
gold masters: Why?
Has to be something to do with a toothpick!🤣
He was caught by the angels with a dirty test he didn’t want it out there so that why he went down as a health issue
angels fan for life: And you know this how?
Exactly what I have been thinking. Angels are graciously letting him bow out without embarrassment.
But why speculate based on something that happened 15 years ago?
@angels Yeah, his behavior says otherwise. If he was coked up, why has he been so unemotional and letting Barry Enright do all the heavy lifting?
Bummer. Go Wash! Was doing a good job w a mediocre bunch. Hope he comes back for a surprise playoff push
Cocaine is a hell of a drug