Ron Washington 71 Takes Over As Angels Manager With Young Enthusiasm And Aims To Run The West Down. Ron Washington took his first big league managerial position in Texas 17 years ago, his Rangers ended the Angels’ near-decade AL West domination.
“We ran them down,” he grinned.
The struggling Los Angeles Angels’ fourth new manager in five years, Washington donned the white uniform Wednesday. His new assignment in this long-awaited second opportunity is the opposite of his work with the Rangers, who now lead the majors and the Houston Astros, who win the division.
Ron Washington 71 Takes Over As Angels Manager With Young Enthusiasm And Aims To Run The West Down. “Our whole focus is going to be to run the West down,” said Washington. You may deposit it at the bank.”
Washington, 71, expressed thanks and hope during his ceremonial presentation at Angel Stadium, where his timeless vitality and baseball expertise are the team’s newest strategy to break a decade-long slump.
Washington won the competition to replace Phil Nevin, who was not re-signed after the Angels’ eighth consecutive losing season and ninth straight non-playoff season, after multiple manager interviews after his stormy departure from Texas in 2014.
“We are on our way up, and there will be nothing but positivity around here,” Washington added. “We will overcome negativity. Looking forward to expectations. We shall succeed.”
The Angels represent a formidable task for Washington, a respected leader and instructor who won two AL pennants in Texas and came within one strike of winning the World Series.
A club led by highly-paid sluggers Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon hasn’t shown much development in the last three years, even with Shohei Ohtani’s potential free agency departure.
“I see potential, but I also see guys that have to make baseball a priority,” Washington said. “That means commitment, attitude, and effort. We must get there.”
Washington joined the Rangers in 2007 under Angels general manager Perry Minasian. Washington was Minasian’s first pick among numerous strong possibilities, since his future depends on the Halos’ short-term success.
“He was dying for this opportunity, and I could feel it,” Minasian added. “When you’re talking to someone who’s that passionate, has a huge want-to, and will do anything to get us where we want to go, it resonates with me.”
Minasian reportedly alleged the Angels were unconcerned by Washington’s cocaine usage and unexpected departure following an adulterous affair during his successful spell in Texas.
“I feel comfortable with it,” Minasian added. A stand-up person. He addressed it then. Over the years, everyone around him have only had positive things to say about him and his contributions.
Washington, unlike some of his younger players, remembers the days when Orange County had a good team, and his old-school credentials were evident on his first day. In his press conference, he half-jokingly called his new club the Anaheim Angels and California Angels, two of its prior identities throughout his playing and coaching tenure.
“Yes, I’m 71,” Washington replied. “I can think. Baseball remains my passion. Still adore making a difference.”
The majors’ oldest manager and the second Black manager behind Dodgers’ Dave Roberts is Washington. Washington takes becoming the Angels’ first Black manager seriously, even if it’s not his priority.
“I’ve been in this position before, but it’s always nice to know you can be a trailblazer,” Washington added. “It’s nice to know that you can create other manager positions for Black people. So it’s crucial that I succeed and use every chance to create a door for a competent Black baseball player.
Minasian said that Washington’s two-year contract with the Angels included a club option and that its short term had no significance but is typical for current manager contracts.
Washington is steadily hiring coaches but hasn’t hired a pitching coach. He named former Houston manager Bo Porter his first base coach and Eric Young Sr. his third base coach.
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