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Sep 24, 2008 10:02 pm US/Central
Washington Expects To Be Back With Rangers
ARLINGTON (AP) ―
Texas manager Ron Washington will apparently return for a third season despite a slumping finish that left the Rangers with their eighth losing record in nine years.
General manager Jon Daniels is expected back as well.
"In my mind, they're going to be back. I have no reason to think differently," team president Nolan Ryan said in a hastily gathered postgame meeting after the Rangers beat Oakland 14-4 in their home finale Wednesday. "I don't anticipate a change."
When Ryan was asked why he wouldn't completely guarantee the return of Washington and Daniels, he said it was because he hadn't spoken with team owner Tom Hicks about the season. Ryan doesn't anticipate that meeting for a couple of weeks.
Hicks hired Ryan in February to revitalize a team that last went to the playoffs nine years ago and hasn't ever won a postseason series. Hicks likely won't go against recommendations by Ryan, a Hall of Fame pitcher who spent five of his majors-record 27 seasons as a player in Texas.
Washington said before the game that he expected to be back, even though there had been no formal discussions about his future with Ryan or Daniels.
"I didn't think I wasn't," Washington said. "It's a very heartfelt feeling to know you've got a job. I love what I do."
Many expected Washington to be fired in April, when the Rangers were 7-16 and had the worst record in the major leagues 3 1/2 weeks into the season. It was the worst start in team history.
Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher hired in February as team president, stuck with Washington after the rough start. Ryan said then he wanted to make a long-term evaluation.
The Rangers responded by winning seven straight series. They got to six games over .500 in early August before a 15-28 stretch culminating with Monday night's loss to Oakland ensured another losing season. Texas lost All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler and outfielder David Murphy to injuries during that time.
Texas (77-82) has won two more games than it did in its first season under Washington, who has a contract through 2009 with an option for 2010.
Daniels, whose contract through 2011 coincides with Ryan's, said earlier this week he had no reason to believe he wouldn't be back after recent discussions with Ryan about the development of the organization.
"We both believe steadfastly in building through scouting and development," Daniels told the AP. "You're not going to see us deviate from that."
All-Star shortstop Michael Young is hoping for stability this offseason.
"The last thing you want is massive change," he said. "You want to make sure we're in position to take a huge step next year. We have some young players who got valuable experience and make themselves better because of it."
Among the 55 different players used by the Rangers this season were 12 who made their major league debuts -- seven of them pitchers. One was left-hander Matt Harrison (9-3), who struck out seven in six innings Thursday to become the first rookie left-hander in Texas history to win nine games.
"I've learned a lot from (Washington) since I've been up here," said rookie third baseman Chris Davis, with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 77 games since being called up. "I think he's the right man for the job. I'm happy to have him around and hope he's around for a while."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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