The Texas Rangers and the baseball world received some unexpected news on Friday when manager Ron Washington announced his resignation. Not much information is known at this time, but Washington did issue a statement.
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Well, he kind of issued a statement, via text message. Bob Nightengale of USA Today passes along Washington’s thoughts:
"“I’ll be back!” Washington told USA TODAY Sports in a text message. “Need some time!”Washington, 62, informed Rangers GM Jon Daniels of his decision Friday morning, met with his team and coaching staff in the afternoon, and disappeared."
Whatever the issue is, Washington has also asked that people respect his privacy and just know that it is a personal matter. Given his history with failed drug tests, Washington did allow the team to say that is not the reason for his resignation.
Given Washington’s popularity among those in baseball, from the writers to his fellow coaches to the players themselves, it would seem that everybody hopes that the longtime Texas manager makes good on this promise and does in fact return to Major League Baseball at some point down the road. Even after a trying season for the Rangers, one mostly undone by injuries, it seems like Washington would be welcomed back to that organization in some capacity if he chose.
In eight seasons as Rangers’ manager, Washington’s win-loss record is 664-612 with two American League pennants.
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