Monday Morning Manager...New Manager Edition

That's little bit of surprise - Congratulations and Welcome to Arlington, Ron. In TR's article you're quoted as saying Texas has a good nucleus - which is true. Now it's time for you and JD to figure out how to build around that nucleus and get the Rangers back in the playoffs - priority #1 starting pitching.

I would have taken Hillman or Wakamatsu, so my first reaction was disappointment. I hate to say that, but it is the truth. "Personable" and "high engergy" are great, but they don't win ballgames. I want to give the guy a fair chance, and I'll always be a Ranger fan, but this has the makings of another Texas-sized mistake. If Washington was such a great potential head coach, why did the A's not hire him after 11 years?

The same gentleman who brought you Brad Wilkerson, Carlos Lee and Adam Eaton will now introduce Ron Washington at a press conference on Monday afternoon. That certainly gives you great confidence. Is the Ivy League superstar better at hiring managers than making trades. Ha! Don't think so.

Hillman would have been my first choice. Welcome to Texas, Ron. Good luck in bringing a winner to Texas. Washington's work will be cut out for him if the organization doesn't quit over paying for under talent, a work of T. Hicks. Now is the time for Hicks to sell.

Going in, it looked like Hillman's or Wakamatsu's job to lose, but evidently, Washington blew them away in the interview process. Remember, this happened in the past. Kevin Kennedy was a dark horse to get the mgrs gig in the early 90's when it looked like Toby Harrah's job to lose. Stranger things have happened with this franchise and I hope this works out well for the Rangers. Looks like they wanted to cut all ties with the past by not taking Don or Trey.

I figured Wakamatsu or Hillman would get the job (I would have preferred Hillman; Wakamatsu is too close to Buck), but Washington piqued my interest last week when I read that Torii Hunter said he'd sign as a free agent for whatever team hired Washington. To my knowledge, Hunter has never played for Washington, so for him to have that opinion about Washington I think says volumes about the guy (especially since one of the slams on Buck was that players didn't want to come here to play for him). For him to vault ahead of two known entities also says something about him. I think he'll do well here. My only fear is that Hillman ends up in Oakland (cross your fingers he ends up in San Diego), because I think he has a chance to be special as well.

Was money a factor in this decision? Probably yes. Let's not forget that Hillman had already been offered a $1 million a year IN JAPAN. There is still some demand for Trey in the majors. Buck's contract could also have been taken into consideration. And Ron's contract could be similar to Freddy Gonzales', another first-time manager ($ 2 million over 3 years). It may seem ridiculous that someone who gave $250 M to A Rod and $ 65 M to Chan Ho Park, would be looking for a cheap manager, but sometimes you can't spend for the sake of spending. Let's hope that Tom Hicks finally learned that lesson.

I, like most of the others, would have preferred Hillman. Washington was my 2nd choice, so I am willing to give him a shot. Good luck Mr. Washington and bring us a championship!

A real disappointment. We had a chance to get a young, up-and-comer who has already proven he can win. Instead we go with an unknown. A real disappointment! I was expecting more out of Mr. Daniels.

I didn't expect the organization to make the call, but I'm glad they did. I see Ron Washington as the kind of spark plug skipper this team needs. An old-school baseball man, he will likely be both tough on and encouraging of his players. I think Washington will get this team back to the basics, and teach them how to play small ball when the bats are cold. While there were a couple of other solid candidates, including Trey Hillman (who, I think, is already set in Japan), in my estimate, Ron Washington is the right man for the job.

Here we go again. What the heck was Hicks and Daniels thinking hiring Washington, probably the same thing they are thinking about getting pitching to Texas. What a sorry move. I dont even know why I love this team anymore.

Ron Washington. Hmmmm. Only time will tell. I consider it a surprise, but I give J.D. and Hicks the benefit of the doubt--they have more information than we do. Hopefully, he'll be an optimistic type, one that soothes the Millionaire/Athlete mentality and can provide peace in the clubhouse, and kick their fannies when needed.

Hooray for you, Ron Washington. You MUST have been good to beat out the heir apparent (Don Wakamatsu), or the local-boy-supposedly-making-good (Trey Hillman).

I throw you all of my support, and wish you success and all the best--you'll likely need it considering our history dating from 1972. I know we have the players, well minus picking up a top-line starter while keeping our mainstays intact. I pray you can deliver us to the Promised Land....October post-season play. Congratulations and welcome Ron Washington. p.s....CAN YOU PITCH? We only need someone to eat up 200+ innings....P.S.2: Can you please put both Will Clark and Rusty Greer on your staff--they possess all the grit, focus and success that we need, plus they would bolster you with all of the fans.

New manager...yadda yadda yadda. 1. Is he reponsible for the signing of our key "free agents" 2. Will he attract more free agent starting pitchers to our staff and finally 3. Does he control "cheap" Hick's purse strings? I'd be more thrilled if you had announced the head of the front office had sold out to Mark Cuban who knows how to spend and win.

Well surprise surprise surprise as gomer pile would say .. sure got me . Washington threw 3 strikes and blew away Hillman and Wakamatsu at the plate. He wasn't my choice but he must have done something right so good on you mate and I hope you have a good go at these Rangers.I think you'll have your hands full for sure.
Oh .. I've solved our outfield problems RF. Sheffield CF Solsa LF Barry Bonds (just kidding)

I retract my last statement, it looks like Washington has already brought good to the Rangers. I will give this guy a chance, but the leach isn't very long. Good Luck.

It appears that the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence for the Rangers. In many respects the Rangers perform more like a Farm Team, grooming their good players to go off and play well for someone else. That seems to be the accepted pattern. I just read an article where Mr. Hicks stated the Rangers were not selling enough tickets. Mr. Hick, "please" give us something to cheer about. If you really want a winning team, it's gonna cost you some money.