Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington to rejoin AL West as Angels new manager

The Los Angeles Angels have themselves a new manager, and he is none other than former Texas Rangers manager, Ron Washington. The Angels had reportedly interviewed both Washington and fellow former Rangers manager Buck Showalter, but decided to go with the 71-year-old Wash. Over the course of the last several years, the Angels have made several questionable moves, but the hiring of Washington is a solid play on their part.

Washington's only other managing gig came in Texas and spanned eight seasons (a Rangers franchise record), from 2007 - 2014. After taking over, ironically for Showalter in 2007, Washington's first two years in Arlington were ok but not great, as the team finished below .500 both seasons. But then in 2009, the tide started to shift. The team would go 87-75 and despite missing the playoffs, it was apperant that the Rangers were starting to play a much better brand of baseball.

The next two seasons, 2010 and 2011, would find the Wash led Rangers not only reaching the playoffs but advancing all the way to the World Series. Unfortunately for Wash and the Rangers, they would first run into the Giants and a manager by the name of Bruce Bochy. Then in 2011, the Rangers would come within one strike of winning the World Series over the Cardinals two separate times in Game 6, only to drop one of baseball's all-time great games, and ultimately the series.

That Game 6 debacle had so many twists and turns. There are numerous people that can take some blame for the loss, and Wash is one of them. Much frustration is thrown Nelson Cruz's way for not catching David Freese's ball in the ninth inning (for good reason), but reality is that he shouldn't have been out there. With a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, defensive specialist Endy Chavez should have been in his spot. That falls on the manger, and thus Ron Washington.

Ron Washington gets second chance to show fans how baseball go

But despite the missed World Series title opportunity, Rangers fans and baseball fans everywhere love Wash. He has an infectious attitude, and a smile that goes on for days. Wash is one of the best interviews in the game, and it is good for baseball that he will be in a lead role as manager yet again. He is a modern-day Yogi Berra and there is little doubt that we will all be blessed with some new Washisms along the way.

With Washington heading back to the AL West, Rangers fans will have plenty of opportunities to see and hear the living legend. The hire of Wash is an addition that will do nothing but help as the Angels try to become relevant yet again. It will be the Rangers job to make sure that doesn't happen anytime soon.

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