Washington's option picked up
The Rangers, sitting in first place in the American League West, have picked up manager Ron Washington’s option for 2010.
The Rangers are 33-23 and have a 41/2 game lead over the Angels in the American League West. Washington is in his third year as the Rangers manager.
This is something the Rangers should have done before now. It should have been done in the off-season. Washington was the first Rangers manager in over 30 years to go into a season without a guaranteed contract for the following year.
But his job security is no longer an issue.
T.R. Sullivan
Toby
Good for him.
just how much are we paying you anyway?
Done deal now for 2010.
OK, I just wish he’d get out fo the dugout and into some umpires faces when they start squeezing the pitchers…
Congrats to Washington. He has weathered the storms and the team has never stopped playing for him. A little continuity and consistency is exactly what this organization needs.
I’m not so sure that this is a result of Washington’s efforts. Looking at his first two years, there was no improvement. Four games is within the standard deviation of wins for year over year performance. I would say that the drastic difference should be attributed more to the development of team chemistry and other changes in personnel. Sure, looking only at the win/loss column shows a big difference that could be attributable to management, but looking at the daily columns show an unceasing critique of Washington’s management decisions.
I think he makes poor decisions on a regular basis and shouldn’t get the lion’s share of the credit for turning this team around. Granted, I’m glad that I finally get to do a great deal of boasting because the team is on top, but it’s not Washington’s accomplishment to claim. I would compare Ron Washington’s luck to Barry Switzer’s. But that’s just me. I think this team has been great for years but just now figured out how to show it.
Congrats, Wash. You’ve earned it in my book. Guess I was wrong with my sentiments at the beginning of last season. Good decision, as the team is headed in the right direction and Washington has played a part in that.
“development of team chemistry”. You don’t give Ron W any credit for that, tamez? It’s perfectly clear that the players like and respect Ron W and WANT to play for him. That’s a very large component of “team chemistry”. “…this team has been great for years but just now figured out how to show it.” Well said! And THAT is precisely what Ron W deserves credit for.
That’s absolutely great. He’s really going to earn his money though over the next two months without Hamilton and injuries to his starters. Good Luck Ron!
Sorry, Mr. Hallway, but I don’t buy that. They want to play for Wash like you want to work hard for your boss. They play for each other and the team (Notice I did not say themselves). The manager comes after that, just like no one works for the “glory of the boss”. Saying that Wash creates team chemistry is comparing him to some kind of feel-good counselor or church group mentor, and I don’t buy that either.
In the alternative, 3-6 and 0-9? Really? Given the alternative line of reasoning, it doesn’t look like the players are responding to the news of another year with him. (Granted, Toronto is not a weak team and came off of a victory over the Yankees-except that we are playing at home and coming off a victory as well)
In the end, Wash gets paid to make decisions. I expect him to know the game, play the angles, and put the players where they need to be when they need to be there so the team can succeed. But on balance, I don’t think he’s made good decisions. I think he’s gotten lucky. Lucky with a great roster and lucky that his decisions haven’t come back to bite him as much as they did last year.
While I expect a healthy amount of second-guessing, especially when the team wasn’t doing so hot, Wash gets questioned more than most, including this year.
Washington is NOT the worst manager ever, nor is he a terribly bad manager. But I expect more and after watching him over the past few years, would prefer another.