The Los Angeles Angels have made a significant coaching change, announcing Ron Washington as their new manager. Washington, a seasoned veteran of the game at the age of 71, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Notably, Washington spent eight seasons as the manager of the Texas Rangers. During his tenure, he achieved success with a winning record in regular-season contests and guided the Rangers to two American League pennants. However, he resigned from his position in 2014 due to personal issues, which the Rangers’ general manager at the time clarified were unrelated to drug use.
In recent years, Washington has been a key figure in the Atlanta Braves organization, serving as their third-base coach since 2017. He has gained a reputation for his expertise in teaching infield defense, a skill honed during his time as a coach with the Oakland Athletics. Washington also has a background as a player, having spent parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues with various teams.
The decision to bring in Ron Washington comes after the Angels decided not to retain Phil Nevin as their manager at the end of the season. The team considered several candidates for the role, including former New York Mets manager Buck Showalter and Angels coach Benji Gil.
It’s worth noting that the Angels’ managerial position was not considered the most attractive in the league. With multiple managerial changes since the 2018 season and challenges such as the departure of Shohei Ohtani and a less-than-stellar farm system, the Angels may face a tough road ahead in the 2024 season.