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**RoXer** · 11-06-2006, 09:37 PM

Rangers hire Washington as manager

By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
November 6, 2006

AP - Nov 6, 10:35 am EST
More Photos

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Ron Washington has always been a popular coach with players, stressing communication and letting them be themselves.

Now he will get his chance as a manager with the Texas Rangers, who wanted and needed somebody with those characteristics.

"I am very thrilled. I don't think I can find words to express it right now," Washington said by cell phone while on a plane Monday, about to fly from his native New Orleans to Texas for his introduction. "Maybe one day I will find the words."

Washington, a coach for the Oakland Athletics the past 11 seasons, was chosen over four other candidates to replace Buck Showalter and inherit a team that has had only one winning season since last making the playoffs in 1999.

"Ron is a teacher and winner who brings a great deal of integrity to our organization," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He is a straightforward, energetic baseball man who we're excited to have lead the Rangers."

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A news conference was scheduled later Monday for Daniels and owner Tom Hicks to introduce their new manager. Washington's two-year contract includes two additional option years.

The 54-year-old Washington is Rangers' 17th full-time manager and first black manager.

When Showalter was fired after an 80-82 season with three years left on his contract, Daniels said the Rangers needed a "different perspective."

Showalter was known for his hands-on approach that led to some discontentment in the clubhouse between some players and the manager. He was 319-329 in four seasons, and the Rangers never finished higher than third in the AL West under him.

"The coaching staff and I have a hell of a task ahead," Washington said.

The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks both won the World Series the year after Showalter left them.

Washington takes over a team with three-time All-Star shortstop Michael Young, two-time Gold Glove and slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira and 16-game winner Kevin Millwood. All-Star outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Carlos Lee and 15-game winner Vicente Padilla are among seven Rangers who have filed for free agency.

Washington was also a candidate in Oakland to replace fired A's manager Ken Macha. He first interviewed with Texas last month and met with Hicks, Daniels and other Rangers officials during another interview Sunday.

"I've always said it's going to take a GM to convince an owner that I am the guy," Washington said. "Daniels convinced Mr. Hicks, and I'm very, very happy."

AP - Nov 6, 10:30 am EST
More Photos

Washington played in 564 major league games over parts of 10 seasons for five teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cleveland and Houston).

But his only managerial experience was two years in Class A in the New York Mets organization before his 11 seasons as Oakland's infield instructor and third-base coach.

"I'm going to miss Oakland, and all the experiences I had the past 11 years and all of the people," Washington said. "I'm going to take all of that with me. I can just blaze my own trail now."

Washington was popular with Oakland players, many who wanted him to be their new manager. He was instrumental in the development of six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez and making the A's consistently one of the AL's top fielding teams.

Two years ago, Chavez gave Washington one of his Gold Glove trophies with the inscription, "Wash, not without you."

The other finalists for the Texas managerial job were Rangers bench coach Don Wakamatsu and Japan Series-winning manager Trey Hillman, an Arlington native and the Rangers' former director of player development. Both interviewed with Daniels and Hicks last week.

New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta and Phillies minor league manager John Russell, a former Rangers catcher who caught one of Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters, also interviewed but didn't meet with Hicks.

Wakamatsu, with the Rangers the past four years, still has a year left on his contract. He is a candidate for the A's job, and the Rangers had given Oakland permission to speak with Wakamatsu if he wasn't their choice as manager.

AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

11-06-2006, 09:37 PM	#92
RoXer History's Greatest, Mr. E Posts: 42,425	Rangers hire Washington as manager By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer November 6, 2006 AP - Nov 6, 10:35 am EST More Photos ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Ron Washington has always been a popular coach with players, stressing communication and letting them be themselves. Now he will get his chance as a manager with the Texas Rangers, who wanted and needed somebody with those characteristics. "I am very thrilled. I don't think I can find words to express it right now," Washington said by cell phone while on a plane Monday, about to fly from his native New Orleans to Texas for his introduction. "Maybe one day I will find the words." Washington, a coach for the Oakland Athletics the past 11 seasons, was chosen over four other candidates to replace Buck Showalter and inherit a team that has had only one winning season since last making the playoffs in 1999. "Ron is a teacher and winner who brings a great deal of integrity to our organization," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He is a straightforward, energetic baseball man who we're excited to have lead the Rangers." ADVERTISEMENT A news conference was scheduled later Monday for Daniels and owner Tom Hicks to introduce their new manager. Washington's two-year contract includes two additional option years. The 54-year-old Washington is Rangers' 17th full-time manager and first black manager. When Showalter was fired after an 80-82 season with three years left on his contract, Daniels said the Rangers needed a "different perspective." Showalter was known for his hands-on approach that led to some discontentment in the clubhouse between some players and the manager. He was 319-329 in four seasons, and the Rangers never finished higher than third in the AL West under him. "The coaching staff and I have a hell of a task ahead," Washington said. The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks both won the World Series the year after Showalter left them. Washington takes over a team with three-time All-Star shortstop Michael Young, two-time Gold Glove and slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira and 16-game winner Kevin Millwood. All-Star outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Carlos Lee and 15-game winner Vicente Padilla are among seven Rangers who have filed for free agency. Washington was also a candidate in Oakland to replace fired A's manager Ken Macha. He first interviewed with Texas last month and met with Hicks, Daniels and other Rangers officials during another interview Sunday. "I've always said it's going to take a GM to convince an owner that I am the guy," Washington said. "Daniels convinced Mr. Hicks, and I'm very, very happy." AP - Nov 6, 10:30 am EST More Photos Washington played in 564 major league games over parts of 10 seasons for five teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cleveland and Houston). But his only managerial experience was two years in Class A in the New York Mets organization before his 11 seasons as Oakland's infield instructor and third-base coach. "I'm going to miss Oakland, and all the experiences I had the past 11 years and all of the people," Washington said. "I'm going to take all of that with me. I can just blaze my own trail now." Washington was popular with Oakland players, many who wanted him to be their new manager. He was instrumental in the development of six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez and making the A's consistently one of the AL's top fielding teams. Two years ago, Chavez gave Washington one of his Gold Glove trophies with the inscription, "Wash, not without you." The other finalists for the Texas managerial job were Rangers bench coach Don Wakamatsu and Japan Series-winning manager Trey Hillman, an Arlington native and the Rangers' former director of player development. Both interviewed with Daniels and Hicks last week. New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta and Phillies minor league manager John Russell, a former Rangers catcher who caught one of Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters, also interviewed but didn't meet with Hicks. Wakamatsu, with the Rangers the past four years, still has a year left on his contract. He is a candidate for the A's job, and the Rangers had given Oakland permission to speak with Wakamatsu if he wasn't their choice as manager. AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report.