Rangers sign Washington to 2-year extension
Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has signed manager Ron Washington to a two-year extension through the 2012 season. Financial terms were not disclosed, per club policy.
“Nolan (Ryan) and I have said all along that we wanted Ron Washington to be our manager going forward, and today’s announcement merely formalizes that extension,” commented club General Manager Jon Daniels. “Wash has done an excellent job leading the club over the last three years and in creating a winning attitude that led to a World Series appearance in 2010. We look forward to working with him as the club comes together for next season.”
Washington led the Rangers to the first World Series in franchise history this season, capturing the American League pennant for the first time. He is the only manager in franchise history with a postseason series victory, as Texas won both the American League Division Series vs. Tampa Bay and the American League Championship Series against New York. Washington joins Rangers Hall of Famer Johnny Oates as the only managers ever to guide Texas to the postseason.
In four seasons as the club’s manager, Washington has compiled 331-317 (.511) record. He ranks among the club’s all-time managerial leaders in wins (3rd, 331) and games (T3rd, 648). His .511 winning pct. is second-best in club history among Texas mangers with more than two seasons, trailing only Oates (.515). With one game next season, Washington would trail only Bobby Valentine (1186 games) and Oates (983 games) as the longest-tenured managers in Rangers history.
Texas has posted increased win totals in each of the last three seasons with Washington at the helm, joining just three other major league managers with increased win totals over the past three years. The other three are all in the National League: Cincinnati’s Dusty Baker, Philadelphia’s Charlie Manuel, and San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy. Texas has finished in first or second place for three consecutive seasons (2008-10) for the first time in club history.
