Japanese media give Wash birthday cake

Published Apr. 29, 2012 5:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Japanese media covering the Texas Rangers made sure manager Ron Washington's 60th birthday didn't go unnoticed.

The group surprised Washington with a huge birthday cake in the dugout at Rangers Ballpark on Sunday afternoon. Washington also put on a traditional Japanese vest and hat for the occasion, which is called a kanreki.

Washington was touched by the gesture.

"I guess they like me, huh?" Washington said. "I think they're a very sentimental group of people at certain times of the year, and certain times in your life. I can't put into words how I feel about what they just did. I've never gotten a cake."

The cake had "Happy Birthday Ron" on it along with the No. 60. Washington attempted to blow out the candles on the cake but the wind kept that from happening. Celebrating one's 60th birthday is significant in Japanese culture
because it's when you return to the horoscope sign in which you were
born.

"If you reach 60 years old, we celebrate with red hat and red jacket," said Carlos Yamazaki, who works for Tokyo Sports Press. "That's it. It's simple. One of the big deals is 60. Also 77, 88. We have a lot of tradition."

The media members were a little surprised that Washington put on the vest and hat. He even got some of the cake on his uniform but he didn't mind. The cake, which was purchased at a Carrollton bakery, was given to the Texas players to eat.

Washington said he and his wife, Gerry, have celebrated his birthdays in the past with small cakes, but nothing like the one he received Sunday. Growing up in New Orleans, Washington said cakes weren't a priority on birthdays because getting necessities was more important.

While turning 60 is big in Japan, Washington said it's not that big of a deal to him.

"I know how old I am now," said Washington. "I know I'm two years away from Social Security. Usually I ask my wife and I have to take 52 from the year I'm in and then I know how old I am. I feel the same I've felt. My energy level is still the same. I don't feel like I've lost anything."

This year's been different for coverage of the Rangers. The addition of Yu Darvish has led to an influx of Japanese media coverage. Washington has made them feel as welcome as he can.

"They've been very professional," Washington said. "As we've gone along, they've started to loosen up a little bit. They're starting to understand they belong here. They're asking the questions they want to ask. I want them to feel free because that's what we do here."