Rangers To Pick Up Option On Manager Ron Washington’s Contract

Posted on June 8th, 2009 2:39pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Rangers notes, Ron Washington, Texas Rangers

UPDATED: At 3 p.m.

ARLINGTON - The Rangers will officially pick up the option for 2010 on the contract of manager Ron Washington through 2010 at a press conference at 3:30 this afternoon.

From the club press release:

“This was an easy decision”, said General Manager Jon Daniels. “We’re excited about the direction the club is going under Ron’s leadership and we look forward to a long, productive relationship with him as our manager.”

As we noted more than a week ago, Washington has the best winning percentage among any of the first-year managers who were hired for the 2007 season. Washington’s record is now 187-193 (.492). The updated chart is at the bottom of the jump.

It simply is another eventful day in what has already been a very eventful month of June for the club.

I can’t help but wonder if this decision wasn’t helped along, not only by the club’s fine play, but the hint that maybe Washington was a lame duck, as Howard Bryant wrote last week. The Rangers certainly don’t want any unneccessary distractions to interfere with chasing the team’s first playoff spot in a decade. And questions were bound to arise about the manager’s security past this season. As a byproduct of more security for a manager whose team has continually improved since a rough first 50 games of his career, those questions about security will be silenced at a cost of about $750,000 (that’s the ballpark for Washington’s salary).

Class of 2007
W-L records for first-managers hired for 2007
Manager Team W-L Pct.
Ron Washington Rangers 187-193 .492
Fredi Gonzalez Florida 182-199 .478
Bud Black San Diego 178-203 .467
Bob Geren Oakland 176-202 .466
Manny Acta Washington 147-231 .389
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20 Comments to “Rangers To Pick Up Option On Manager Ron Washington’s Contract”
  • obagain @ June 8th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Why?

  • Ehren @ June 8th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Why not?

  • michigan mike @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Washington may not be the most polished manager, but he does seem to inspire loyalty, hard work, and dedication. Each time the players have had the opportunity to quit on him they have responded in the opposite direction. Jim Leyland is only as good a manager as the Tigers pitching and defense allow as we have found out here in Michigan after the meteoric rise to the World Series his first year.

    I say give RW the chance to be part of the long-term as a reward for putting up with the level of talent provided him at first. He has earned it.

    Tired of reading the Wash bashing. Let’s move on with this decision.

  • jb @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    i support this decision.

  • pop @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    rw owes espn a big thanks…

  • CorditeSmoke @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    RW extended, Great!
    Any word on Hamilllton yet?

  • RAT @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Good news in my opinion.

    Now what’s the deal with Buster Olney saying Hamilton is going to be out much of the season? Also saying Delucci is interested in becoming a Ranger again.

  • becca @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    great news!

  • Russ @ June 8th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    4-6 weeks on Hamilton’s injury. Surgery.

  • Mubeen @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Good decision. Maybe boyish Daniels is finally becoming a man

  • Tsing Sao @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    I know advertising pay the bills… but come on, it is pretty ridiculous when you’re reading a ‘Rangers Blog’ on a site called ‘D-Mag’ and you get to enjoy two kids sporting Angels jerseys for a Dr. Peppers ad.

    plain unacceptable.

  • badspellr @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Good move.

  • Gastronome @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    He earned it … and a great season just got a little better. Hey Wash, in case no one else says it let me extend a heart felt congratulations and best wishes.

  • Tom B @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Great!! They owe him that gesture even if they fire him tomorrow. There is more than one team that would hire Wash now even if they let him go. He’s worked out some wrinkles and gets better rather thsn maintaining the status quo. I like it.

  • Little League World Series @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    They’re in uniform, guessing their team name is Angels. Grow up.

  • b.money @ June 8th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    I was as skeptical as anybody when they brought him in. After weeding out the guys who won’t play ball his way, the team has shown that they rally around Mr. Washington. He’s a great influence on the younger guys and knows how to use his vets.

    Good move.

  • JustSaying @ June 8th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    I was happy at his hiring and generally been behind him all the way……well sometimes I do think his gut is wack…….but overall I think he’s the right guy and has done great things with these kids……two thumps up

  • MajorJolly @ June 8th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    I’m saluting right back at ya Wash!

  • Ranger_Rick @ June 8th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    Thanks for securing the future at least for another year. Wash deserves it and so do the players. Stability has become an important part of this team and Wash is a big part of that. Takes time to improve a poor product and we are seeing results of that patience now. Go RANGERS!!!

  • Leemer in Austin @ June 8th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Should Wash last all the way through 2010, he will be tied with Showalter for third place in longest tenure by a Rangers manager. First? Valentine. Second? Oates. Pretty decent company…