Atlanta Braves: Ron Washington wants to lead a team to World Series
By Seth Carter
Atlanta Braves third-base coach Ron Washington appeared on Buster Olney’s podcast on May 20 and revealed he’s still interested in managing a big-league club.
The Atlanta Braves have one of the best assistant coaches in the league in Ron Washington. He led the Texas Rangers to two-consecutive World Series trips and has 664 career wins as a manager.
Washington led the Rangers to four-straight seasons with at least 90 wins between 2010 and 2013. He is beloved around the clubhouse in Atlanta.
At the end of the 2016 season, Washington was coaching with the Oakland A’s and Brian Snitker was coming off of a successful run as the interim manager for the Braves, following the termination of Fredi Gonzalez.
Snit ultimately won the job but Washington left an impression. The Braves brought him on board that same offseason.
As discussed on Buster Olney’s podcast, Washington has been credited with helping improve the defense of Marcus Semien from a player who some thought had no place on the major-league roster due to the number of errors he made to a guy that finished third in the AL MVP voting last season.
Among other things on the podcast, Washington discussed the criticism regarding Ozzie Albies’ $35 million contract.
"“$35 million he felt was enough for [Ozzie] to set his family up for the rest of their lives. He didn’t want to take a chance on getting hurt. He did what he felt he had to do for him and his family. If he gets hurt, he’s good. If doesn’t get hurt, he’s going to get his big pay day.”"
Atlanta Braves: Ron Washington on Future Aspirations
We all fretted and worried this offseason when Washington interviewed with the Padres. Buster Olney asked him how important it would be for him to get another shot as a manager.
"Washington responded by saying, “For me it’d be very important. I still think I got the ability to lead a group and to lead an organization to go exactly where they wanna go to the World Series. I’ve never lost that drive. I still think I have it, matter fact, I know I have it.”"
There’s no doubt that Washington is an incredible coach, from his accolades to his ability to blend old-school baseball and modern analytics.
You can see his fingerprints all over each club works with. As much as we love having him around, you can’t help but be happy for “Wash” if he’s able to land another managerial position…as long as it is outside of the NL East.
If you are missing baseball, stay tuned to Tomahawk Take and tune in to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight Podcast hosted by Buster Olney.