In this May 11, 2014, photo, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington sits at the top of the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox in Arlington, Texas. Washington unexpectedly resigned on September 5, 2014, saying he needed to devote his full attention to an "off-the-field personal matter." Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo
In this May 11, 2014, photo, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington sits at the top of the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox in Arlington, Texas. Washington unexpectedly resigned on September 5, 2014, saying he needed to devote his full attention to an "off-the-field personal matter." Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo
In this May 11, 2014, photo, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington sits at the top of the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox in Arlington, Texas. Washington unexpectedly resigned on September 5, 2014, saying he needed to devote his full attention to an "off-the-field personal matter." Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo
In this May 11, 2014, photo, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington sits at the top of the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox in Arlington, Texas. Washington unexpectedly resigned on Septem

Sport

Ron Washington’s exit leaves Texas Rangers in a spin

Departure is over a 'personal matter' and not drug-related, but few other details have emerged

Paul Freelend

September 07, 2014

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Few men in baseball can genuinely be thought of as universally respected, but if anyone can lay claim to that title, it is Ron Washington.

Until his sudden resignation on Friday, Washington was the manager of the Texas Rangers. He was the most successful manager in the franchise’s history, amassing a 664-611 record in eight seasons and winning the American League pennant in 2010 and 2011 – the only league championships in the Rangers’ 43-year history.

Even allowing for the team's steady regression to the mean after reaching back-to-back World Series and this season's injury-plagued struggles, Washington's exit leaves everyone involved scratching their heads. It was hardly his fault that the Rangers were ravaged by injuries to key players including Prince Fielder, Yu Darvish, Shin-soo Choo, Jurickson Profar, Derek Holland and Tanner Scheppers. Their need for healthy bodies has been so great that they set a major-league record by using 60 players in a season.

Washington and the Rangers have offered little explanation. They did say his exit was not drug-related, ending suspicions Washington had relapsed after testing positive for cocaine four years ago. He only said he left over an “off-the-field personal matter”.

Real questions now hover over the Rangers and general manager Jon Daniels, who also ran off club legend and former chief executive Nolan Ryan. This team was built to win now, and if Daniels does not hire the right replacement, the Rangers might not even be the best team in Texas next season.

pfreelend@thenational.ae

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