Ron Washington Returns To Dugout As Manager Of Los Angeles Angels.

After spending seven seasons on the coaching staff of the Atlanta Braves, Ron Washington is returning to the American League with his first managing job since 2014.

Just when the baseball world expected the Los Angeles Angels to hire Buck Showalter as successor to the fired Phil Nevin, Washington won the job Wednesday.

The former manager of the Texas Rangers, he won consecutive pennants with the team in 2010 and 2011. His lifetime record as manager is 678-619, a winning percentage of .523.

A former infielder who had been third base coach under Brian Snitker for all six of the Atlanta’s division-winning years – the longest active streak by any major-league team – Washington played a big part in Atlanta’s 2021 world championship through his daily pre-game, one-on-on fielding drills with current infielders.

The bespectacled, highly-regarded New Orleans native helped first baseman Freddie Freeman (now with the Dodgers) win his first career Rawlings Gold Glove in 2018 and third baseman Josh Donaldson become one of three Gold Glove finalists a year later.

Shortstop Dansby Swanson, who won his first Gold Glove with the Chicago Cubs this year, also excelled under Washington’s tutelage.

During the 2023 season, the entire Braves starting infield reached the All-Star Game in another tribute to Washington’s influence. The group included third baseman Austin Riley, shortstop Orlando Arcia, second baseman Ozzie Albies, and first baseman Matt Olson. Riley and Albies were Gold Glove finalists in recent years.

Also credited with the development of six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez, who played third base for the Oakland A’s while Washington was a coach there, Washington has been a coach for 27 seasons.