At the end of the 2023 season, Atlanta Braves fans lost one of their favorite members of the coaching staff. Ron Washington has consistently expressed his desire to resume managing at some time in his professional life.
Since Wash joined the organization in 2016, teams have expressed interest in potentially adding him to their roster, but he has stayed with the Braves each time. It took him seven years to win over both players and spectators to become the wonderful man he is.
Sadly for Atlanta, Ron Washington’s appointment as manager of the Los Angeles Angels beginning in 2024 presented the perfect chance. The Halos have signed him to a two-year contract as they start their post-Shohei era.
This is his second major league managerial position after winning two AL Pennants with the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014. In early September of 2014, Wash announced his departure from Arlington, despite a 664-611 record and five excellent seasons there.
That was short-lived, as in May of 2015, he became a member of the A’s coaching staff, a position he held until the Braves signed him as their third base coach in 2016. As a result of Wash’s emphasis on hard work and being a reliable defensive infielder, the Braves infield culture was transformed.
He has a unique bond with each and every player in Atlanta, but he has grown particularly close to Ozzie Albies over the years. They constantly made for an engaging exchange despite being harsh on each other.
Although it was difficult to see Wash go, Braves Country is overjoyed that he will now have the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of his.
Ron was asked about the difficulty of leaving Atlanta when he recently joined the Foul Territory show. Glowing about his time with the Braves, Wash mentioned that Alex Anthopoulos “takes care of all of his people”.
He mentioned how he had received numerous job offers over the years, and every time AA informed him that a team had reached out to him, Wash had responded by telling him he wouldn’t be going until he was given the opportunity to manage.
The native of Louisiana kept his pledge and waited until the opportune moment to depart, believing that his opportunity to sign with the Angels came at the ideal time.
Regarding the challenge of leaving Atlanta, he mentioned how he and the other coaches monitored each player closely in the clubhouse each day to make sure they were giving it their all. He made particular emphasis of the gap that emerged between Eric Young Sr. and himself.
The remaining players will be forced to rely on the surviving coaches and “depend on the love, and the wisdom, the knowledge” as a result of their departure. All that we have left behind.
Because he is such a fun and engaging coach, both players and spectators adore him. You never have to speculate about his feelings or where you are with him. His players respond most to his genuineness. Braves players shared a lot of statements from Ron Washington throughout the previous season, which illustrates how genuine he is.
Wash expected his players to give it their all every single day, and he never took no for an answer. Ron Washington is the reason the Braves lineup they have now is who they are. He is going to be missed, but he is one of the best things that has ever happened to this franchise.
Without a doubt, he will demand the utmost deference and diligence from his players now that they are with the Angels. I hope they value him as much as the players and supporters of the Atlanta Braves do.
