Ron Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ron Washington
Washington coaching the Oakland Athletics in 2015
Los Angeles Angels – No. 37
Infielder / Manager / Coach
Born: (1952-04-29) April 29, 1952 (age 73) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 10, 1977, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last appearance
July 7, 1989, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics (through September 29, 2024)
Batting average	.261
Home runs	20
Runs batted in	146
Managerial record	727–710
Winning %	.506
Teams
As player Los Angeles Dodgers (1977) Minnesota Twins (1981–1986) Baltimore Orioles (1987) Cleveland Indians (1988) Houston Astros (1989) As manager Texas Rangers (2007–2014) Los Angeles Angels (2024–present) As coach Oakland Athletics (1996–2006, 2015–2016) Atlanta Braves (2017–2023)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2021)

Ronald Washington (born April 29, 1952) is an American professional baseball manager, coach, and former infielder. Since November 2023, Washington has been the manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Washington played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. His playing career lasted from 1977 to 1989. He mostly played in the middle of the infield. He also played at first base, center field, and left field. In his 10 seasons as a player, he had a batting average of .261. He hit 20 home runs and had 146 runs batted in.

After his playing days, Washington became a coach. He worked for the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics. He managed the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014. He led them to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. Later, he coached for the Oakland Athletics again. He was also the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 2016 to 2023. Washington won a World Series with the Braves in 2021.

Ron Washington's Baseball Journey

Playing Baseball

Ron Washington started his professional baseball career in 1970. He spent many years playing in the minor leagues. He also played in the Mexican Pacific League during the winter. In 1977, he got a chance to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit very well in his short time with them.

He returned to the major leagues in 1981 with the Minnesota Twins. He stayed with the Twins until 1986. After that, he played one season each for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Houston Astros. He retired from playing in 1990. He was known for playing in the middle of the infield.

In 1988, while playing for the Indians, Washington had a special moment. He broke up a no-hitter in the ninth inning with a pinch-hit single. This means he was the first player to get a hit in that game, stopping the other team's pitcher from completing a rare achievement.

Washington was one of only three MLB players to come from the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy. This was a special program that helped young players develop their skills.

From Player to Coach and Manager

After retiring as a player, Ron Washington started coaching. He worked for the New York Mets for five years. In 1996, he joined the Oakland Athletics as a coach. He helped train the team's infielders. Many players, like Eric Chavez and Miguel Tejada, improved a lot because of his coaching. Chavez even gave Washington one of his Gold Glove awards to show his thanks.

Washington was also featured in the book Moneyball. This book was about how the A's found ways to win with a smaller budget. Washington was shown as a great coach who helped players learn new positions. He helped Scott Hatteberg learn to play first base, even though Hatteberg had never played there before.

Managing the Texas Rangers

In November 2006, Ron Washington became the manager of the Texas Rangers. He was chosen over several other candidates. He took over from the previous manager, Buck Showalter.

Ron Washington in 2007

In 2010, Washington made history for the Rangers. He became the second manager to lead the team to the postseason. On October 12, 2010, he led the Rangers to their first-ever playoff series win. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.

Then, on October 22, 2010, the Rangers defeated the New York Yankees in the ALCS. This sent them to their first World Series in team history. They eventually lost to the San Francisco Giants. Washington was the third African American manager to lead a team to the World Series.

Players loved playing for Washington. Second baseman Ian Kinsler said he liked how Washington showed his emotions. He said it was great to know their manager cared so much about every single play.

Washington talks to fans in Houston in August 2014

In 2011, Washington led the Rangers back to the World Series. They beat the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. However, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in a very close seven-game series. In 2012, the Rangers had a strong season but lost in the AL Wild Card Game.

Washington set a new record for the Rangers. On August 4, 2013, he passed Bobby Valentine for the most wins as a Rangers manager. He had 582 wins at that point.

On September 5, 2014, Washington announced he was stepping down as manager of the Rangers for personal reasons. His record with the Rangers was 664 wins and 611 losses. He led them to four seasons with 90 or more wins and two American League championships.

Back to Coaching with the Braves

After leaving the Rangers, Washington returned to coaching. He was hired by the Oakland Athletics again in May 2015. He worked as an infield coach and then as the third base coach.

Washington as the third base coach for the Braves in 2021

In October 2016, he became the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves. He helped the Braves win the World Series in 2021. This was his first World Series championship. He stayed with the Braves until the end of the 2023 season.

Managing the Los Angeles Angels

In November 2023, the Los Angeles Angels hired Ron Washington to be their new manager. He started managing the team in the 2024 season.

Ron Washington's Managerial Record

As of September 30, 2024