SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – If you want to know what the Angels are getting in Ron Washington, their new manager, ask the man tasked with replacing them.
And then listen to that guy say Washington is irreplaceable.
“I told him this: I’m gonna look back on this in my career, that I’m honored that I got a chance to work with him,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said on Wednesday. “He’s everything you could want, he deserves the opportunity. He’s excited, obviously I’m excited for him. It’s a huge loss for us. I emphasize that in caps, bold, italicized, all of it. Huge, huge void. I had six years with him, and I can’t imagine I’ll be around another guy like that in my entire career.”
The Angels on Wednesday officially hired the 71-year-old Washington, the Braves’ third base and infield coach, to replace Phil Nevin. This will be Washington’s second shot at managing, the one he was never guaranteed.
“I can guarantee you, as word is spreading today, Angels players are incredibly excited and Braves players are incredibly sad,” Anthopoulos said.
Washington joined the Braves before the 2017 season. In the seven seasons that followed, he left a lasting impact. He taught. He mentored. He energized. He brought an attitude and an edge.
Daily, he knelt on the grass in foul territory in front of the Braves’ dugout and went through his defensive routine with Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and anyone else who wanted to take part – even Marcell Ozuna, who didn’t see a defensive inning in the infield. He rolled baseballs to them, and gave pointers while they fielded them.
Washington and Albies always traded verbal jabs, a sign of their close relationship. He bonded with everyone in the clubhouse.
“Presence, intellect, respect, work ethic, integrity, off-the-charts ability to lead,” Anthopoulos said. “I mean, that guy walks in a room, it’s over. He’s got it. He’s special. I’ve been in baseball since 2000. I’ve never been around someone like this before.”
Washington managed Texas from 2007 to 2014. He took the Rangers to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011, but lost both times. He takes a 664-611 managerial record to Anaheim, which desperately needs forward momentum.
Of course, Washington and Angels general manager Perry Minasian are familiar with one another. Minasian was an assistant general manager under Anthopoulos in Atlanta before getting the Angels job.
“They have a lot of history together, (Minasian) knew exactly what he was gonna get,” Anthopoulos said. “Because Perry knows what Wash can bring, without knowing anything, I felt he would have as good a chance as anybody else. But from there, that was their process.”
It ended with Anthopoulos receiving word that Minasian had picked Washington to be his next manager. Anthopoulos then spoke to Washington, who was excited. Anthopoulos was excited for him.
In 2009, Washington admitted using cocaine. In 2014, he resigned from his job as Rangers manager and cited being unfaithful to his wife as the reason.
Washington, a former infielder, played for the Dodgers, Twins, Orioles, Cleveland and the Astros during a career that spanned 10 seasons.
His coaching career started in the Mets’ organization, from 1991-95. He became Oakland’s big-league first-base coach in 1996 and was the third-base coach from 1997-2006. After resigning as the Rangers’ manager years later, he coached for the Athletics from May 2015 through the 2016 season.
Then he joined the Braves, where he made friends and memories. They will feel his absence.
Washington is headed west, and is taking all of his desirable qualities with him. The Braves, though, must move forward and fill his spot.
Again, there is no replacing him.
“I talked to (manager Brian Snitker) today,” Anthopoulos said Wednesday. “Obviously, we’re wrapping our head around all that. We have time, though. Definitely not something we had on our radar, to do staffing. But we’ll take our time with it. We’re not gonna be able to replace Wash, there’s no doubt about that. You don’t think anybody can.”
Perhaps Washington would take a coach or two from the Braves to be on his new staff. The likeliest candidate might be Eric Young Sr., who is Atlanta’s first base coach.
Is it a possibility that the Braves lose more than just Washington?
“That is on the table,” Anthopoulos said.
Anthopoulos said that as an organizational philosophy, the Braves allow employees to listen to opportunities that might advance their careers.
Washington is one of baseball’s great minds. He is one of its most entertaining personalities.
Now, he’ll be tasked with leading the Angels back into contention.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that if the opportunity presented itself, it was gonna be a no-brainer,” Anthopoulos said of Washington managing again. “He’s gonna have success, he’s had success. I just think the Angels got a lot better today.”
