Wash Is Back! Angels Hire Beloved Former Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington
Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington is back in the American League West.
According to the New York Post's Jon Heyman, the Los Angeles Angels are hiring Washington as their next manager. Washington will be the 23rd different manager in Angels' franchise history.
Washington, 71, served as the Atlanta Braves third base coach since 2017. He was a member of the World Series-winning roster in 2021 and has been a hot candidate on the managerial circuit over the past several seasons.
Washington spent eight seasons as the Rangers' manager from 2007 until resigning in 2014. He led Texas to five winning seasons during his eight years in Arlington, including two division titles and the franchise’s first two AL pennants in 2010 and 2011.
During his eight-year run as the Rangers' manager, Washington was 664-611 (52.1%) and posted an 18-16 postseason record. Under Washington, Texas posted four consecutive 90-plus win seasons from 2010-13.
Washington replaces Phil Nevin, who was 119-149 as the Angels' manager over parts of the past two seasons. Washington will be tasked with getting Los Angeles back to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
The Angels are on their fourth manager in six seasons after the firings of Brad Asmus, Joe Madden, and Nevin. Before that, Mike Scioscia was at the helm from 2000-18. He stepped down after three consecutive losing seasons.
Competing in the AL West won't be easy. The past two World Series champions are in the division and the Seattle Mariners have been good for several years. The Rangers won their first World Series last week, ending a six-year postseason drought behind first-year manager Bruce Bochy. The Houston Astros won the title a year ago and have advanced to the ALCS the past seven seasons.
Washington and the Angels could be without two-way superstar and AL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani, who is set to his free agency this offseason.
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