Ron Washington Talks Leadership, Darvish With Ben & Skin

SURPRISE (105.3 THE FAN) -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington joined Ben & Skin from spring training in Surprise on Wednesday.

Wash was asked about former Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, who recently criticized the team's chemistry in 2013. Kinsler also voiced his displeasure over being "forced" into a leadership role after Michael Young's departure.

"There never was a chemistry issue in our clubhouse," said Washington. "I didn't realize [Kinsler] didn't want to be a leader until I heard it like everyone else. Leadership to me is not something you can just thrust upon someone. You have to be born with it. I was born with leadership. When I was 7-years-old, I was a leader. When I got into baseball, nobody had to tell me to lead. They followed because I was going in the right direction. That's what a leader is."

When asked who would assume leadership responsibilities in 2014, Washington declined to point out anyone, instead suggesting that leadership comes out naturally.

"I've never, in all the years I've been here, walked around a clubhouse and said 'you're my leader.' That just happens. I didn't go to Michel Young and say 'you're my leader.' He just did it. That's Michael Young's personality."

Washington also discussed the current state of the lineup, his new bench coach Tim Bogar, and the next step in the development of Yu Darvish.

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