Ron Washington Reflects On Time In Texas
Shan & RJ | 105.3 The Fan
105.3 THE FAN -- Former manager Ron Washington abruptly left the Rangers organization last season and has now joined the Oakland A's staff.
But Rangers fans aren't bitter about Wash joining a rival organization. In fact, the love is very much mutual.
"I miss everything about Texas," Washington said with Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan. "I miss the hospitality. I miss the fans. I miss the players. I miss the front office. I miss everyone. But I'm onto a new chapter in my life and I'm moving on."
Washington is now working as an infield instructor, particularly with the young and talented Marcus Semien, who he is "loading up with knowledge."
"The three weeks that I've been back, it's really been a lot of fun for me to be on the field and give back."
Wash says he's in a much better place spiritually and personally right now, 9 months after resigning in Texas. But he isn't yet thinking about potentially returning to the league as a club's manger.
"Right now my focus is right where it is, and that's where it should be. My whole focus is just trying to be the best guy of giving information of the infield that I possibly can be. We'll see what the future holds, but right now my future is today."
In his time with Texas, rumors swirled that he and general manager Jon Daniels frequently butted heads, with Daniels opting to fill out the lineup card. Wash disputed such rumors.
"Jon Daniels is a great guy to work for, very supportive. Nothing like that ever happened."
Though his focus is in Oakland, Washington has taken notice of Josh Hamilton, who helped his team to back-to-back World Series appearances.
"I'm always rooting for Josh Hamilton. He's a difference maker. You can see the joy in him when he returned to Texas."
And if Wash could tell Rangers fans one thing...
"I love them all. I love them all...And that will not change."
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