Angels hire Ron Washington as manager
Rhett Bollinger
@RhettBollingerThe Angels hired Ron Washington as their new manager on Wednesday and he¡¯ll be formally introduced at a press conference next week. Washington, 71, previously managed the Rangers from 2007-14, including leading them to World Series appearances in 2010 and ¡¯11. He was signed to a two-year contract through the 2025 season.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian knows Washington well from their time together in the Braves organization. Minasian was an assistant general manager there from 2017-20, while Washington served as third-base coach with Atlanta from 2017-23, winning the World Series in ¡¯21. Minasian, though, will have no further comment until next week¡¯s press conference.
Washington had his final interview on Tuesday night and the Angels decided he was the right person to replace Phil Nevin. Fellow veteran manager Buck Showalter was also seriously considered and the Angels also looked at candidates without any managerial experience such as Benji Gil, Torii Hunter, Ray Montgomery and Darin Erstad.
But the Angels ultimately went with experience, as Washington got his start coaching in the Majors in 1996, serving as first-base coach with the A¡¯s from 1996-2006 until he was named manager of the Rangers. Washington is known for his work with infielders and for his tremendous leadership skills and colorful personality.
As manager of the Rangers he had a 664-611 record, won two division titles and earned a Wild Card berth. He led the club to four straight 90-plus-win seasons from 2010-13, but the Rangers were 53-87 in '14, when he resigned due what he called an ¡°off-the-field personal matter."
Washington returned to coaching with the A¡¯s in 2015 before he joined Atlanta¡¯s organization in ¡¯17. He was a candidate for the managerial opening there that went to Brian Snitker.
Washington will need to help assemble a new coaching staff, as the Angels will need to replace pitching coach Matt Wise, hitting coach Marcus Thames and catching coach Drew Butera. All three left to join the White Sox organization and there could be more changes coming.