[外電] Players excited about new manager
ARLINGTON -- Plenty were beaming on Monday when the Rangers introduced Ron
Washington as their new manager.
Washington spoke at the press conference about being a "player's manager,"
and both pitcher Kevin Millwood and first baseman Mark Teixeira liked what
they heard.
"Just sitting here, listening to him and hearing what he brings, you can't
help but be excited about him," Millwood said. "Any player likes hearing that
his manager is a 'player's manager.' Having a player's manager makes a
clubhouse a lot more comfortable, you don't have to worry about what's going
to happen if things don't go right. He'll always be behind you."
"I was very impressed," Teixeira said. "It's exciting to see him come in here
and talk baseball. It's all about wins and losses, and he's been through it
as a player and a coach. He's a baseball man who knows what it takes to win."
Washington had been a coach for the Oakland Athletics over the past 11 years,
the last 10 as their third-base coach. The Athletics have been to the
playoffs five times in the last seven years, four as the division champions
and once as the Wild Card team.
"Everyone in the A's organization is happy and excited for Ron and his family
with the announcement today naming him as manager of the Texas Rangers,"
Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. "Ron has been a good baseball man
who has been an integral part of our success during his 11-year stay in
Oakland."
Washington was also the Athletics' infield instructor, during which time
third baseman Eric Chavez won six Gold Gloves. Chavez gave him the 2004
trophy and inscribed on it, "Wash, not without you."
His former players, including first baseman Jason Giambi and shortstop Miguel
Tejada, were among those who rallied around Washington when his home in New
Orleans was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.
Chavez and second baseman Mark Ellis were the first people that Washington
called when he found out Sunday night that he was going to be the Rangers'
manager.
"I didn't want them to hear it from anybody else but me," Washington said.
"I think a fresh start will be great for him," Chavez said. "I mean, as much
as he's meant to me, he's meant a lot to our whole organization, and he's
already kind of affected our clubhouse with all the knowledge and experience
he has to give. I think going somewhere new, where they'll be hearing it all
for the first time, will be great for him."
The Rangers were drawn to Washington because of his enthusiasm, passion for
baseball and "contagious personality" as general manager Jon Daniels said.
He was one of five interviewed for the job. The Rangers also interviewed
dugout coach Don Wakamatsu, Mets third-base coach Manny Acta, Phillies
Triple-A manager Ron Washington and Trey Hillman, who led the Nippon-Ham
Fighters to the Japan Series title last month.
Wakamatsu appeared to be the favorite, but Washington was impressive in an
initial interview with Daniels last month and then won the job during a
meeting with owner Tom Hicks on Sunday in Dallas.
"It was a very thorough process, and he won the process the way you should
win it," Hicks said. "He showed a commitment to winning and that he is a
winner."
Washington is the first African-American manager in Rangers history, and one
of two currently in Major League Baseball. He has waited a long time for the
opportunity but said was convinced that one day he would get the chance.
"This means a lot to me," Washington said. "It means I've come full circle.
I've been a player, a Minor League coach, a Minor League manager, a
big-league coach and had a chance to influence a lot of baseball people along
the way.
"Now I have a chance to influence a whole organization. It doesn't get any
better than that."
Matsuzaka bid? The Rangers would like to hold another press conference in a
month to introduce Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.
That seems to be the Rangers' most immediate offseason goal, for as
Washington said on Monday, "If we can just get to where the front end of our
starting rotation is real consistent, then we have a chance."
Matsuzaka, according to club officials, has the best chance of making that
happen.
"We don't have the money that some of these other teams do but we're going to
put in a bid," Hicks said. "It will be an interesting process."
Getting Matsuzaka would put a smile on a lot of people's faces in and around
Ameriquest Field in Arlington.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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