When the manager of a major-league team on pace to lose 100 games resigns late in the season, it shouldn't be a shock. But Ron Washington's decision to walk away from the Texas Rangers on Friday was a surprise to nearly everyone.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Washington's departure had nothing to do with his team's "on-field" performance. Washington said in a statement that he needed to tend to an "off-the-field personal matter." Daniels was flanked by the organization's principal owners Ray Davis and Bob Simpson as he carefully fielded questions about Washington's departure. He did say Washington gave him permission to say his sudden exit was not drug-related. Washington tested positive for cocaine five years ago, but Daniels and Nolan Ryan stood behind him at the time.
I hope Washington is able to address this personal issue and return to baseball. It's too bad he won't have a chance to right the ship for the Rangers, but perhaps a fresh start would be the best thing for all parties. Daniels and Washington have had a solid relationship for the past eight seasons, but there has been friction at times. Daniels didn't appreciate Washington making a comment on 103.3 FM ESPN recently that seemed to question pitcher Yu Darvish's commitment to the team. Washington quickly backtracked, but it was pretty obvious that he called out his best pitcher in a public forum.
Daniels will never say this, but I think he's OK with the prospect of a new manager. Bench coach Tim Bogar will take over on an interim basis and I think there's a great chance he'll win the full-time job. This team may benefit from a new voice, but you'd have a hard time getting any player to agree with that sentiment. Starting pitcher Derek Holland looked up to Washington as much as any player on the roster. No one will forget watching Washington stroll to the mound to deliver stern messages to Holland. In the 2011 playoffs, cameras captured Washington playfully slapping Holland a few times before he took the mound.
"It's like losing your dad," pitcher Derek Holland told reporters Friday. "I was extremely close with him. He's taught me a lot both on and off the field and I didn't see any of this coming at all. I'm lost for words."
I can tell you the 62-year-old doesn't have any health issues that might cause his departure, according to a source. The Rangers had known about Washington's personal matter for a couple weeks and had worked through a variety of scenarios, including a potential leave of absence.
"After exploring all options, we collectively decided this was best," a source told Fox Sports Southwest. "It was a very emotional process."
Cynics will suggest that Daniels got what he wanted with this result, but I don't think that's the case. Washington and Daniels didn't always see eye to eye, but that's pretty common in baseball.
From a personal standpoint, I've never covered a manager/coach who was as candid and entertaining as Washington. I will always treasure our long one-on-one visits during spring training.
My hope is that he returns to baseball as soon as possible. It's where he belongs.
