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Ron Washington Could be Fired Tonight

Oakland_tiny by Blez on

I want to thank my fellow SBN blogger Adam from Lone Star Ball for the tip on this.  Apparently it looks like Ron Washington could very well get the axe tonight.

I feel bad for Wash because he was such a great guy in his time with the A's.  I'm sure that the A's will probably find a place for Ron within the organization once again.  Although he won't be on the field again any time soon.  Tony D has worked many years to get his shot at being the third base coach.

If it does happen, best of luck, Wash.  You are a class act.

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At a game a few years ago

We had field level seats, front row on the third base side, so one of my friends took the opportunity to yell “Ron Washington, you are the coolest man in baseball!” Wash kind of half-turned around to acknowledge this tribute—in a very cool way, of course.
Best of luck to Wash whatever comes next.

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on Apr 25, 2008 8:44 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

bummer

best of luck to wash wherever he ends up next. hopefully back with the a’s organization somewhere….

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Apr 25, 2008 8:47 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Not really his fault the Rangers are the way they are

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Apr 25, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Well, we got Big Hurt back...

Let’s get everyone back! Open arms here, Wash!

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Bring BAck Wash

I feel bad for him because he was a coach so long before he got his chance. I hope that he catches on somewhere, maybe even here, as a coach and then gets another shot.

"First Zito and now DJ? The Giants are like A's landfil." - a paraphrase of Since72.
Also, Todd Linden has a .231 lifetime average and a 66 career OPS+, chill Linden fans.

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 25, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Random question:

what happened to the Views on the diaries?

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 8:49 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Too narrow?

Sorry. :-(

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 25, 2008 8:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Lets make this season ...

The ‘06 Reunion Tour.

We got Frank back.
We got Saarlo0s back.
Now lets get Wash back!

by El Cerrito Steve on Apr 25, 2008 9:29 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

first you would have to get huddy on the 06 a's

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 26, 2008 4:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don't see that as a problem.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Apr 26, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

bring back

Marrrrrrcoooo Scoooot a rrrooo

by sf drift king on Apr 26, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

noooooo

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 26, 2008 6:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Tom Hicks

Blez’s link to the dallas news reminded me that the rangers are tom hicks’ team. I guess he feels like he needs to stir things up here since he’s practically been put on the British terrorist watch list for trying to fire everyone in the Liverpool FC hierarchy….

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 25, 2008 9:49 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Hicks is clearing the spot

for one of baseball’s great minds, fresh from yet another in a long string of missions accomplished….

by DiegoSegui on Apr 25, 2008 10:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hicks has made a mess at Liverpool

but he’s not the only one. Gillette his co-owner has been just as bad. In fact, most reports indicate that it is Gillette who is the main driving force at trying to replace Liverpool’s successful manager, Rafa Benitez with Jurgen Klinssman. Hicks appears to have formed something of an alliance with Benitez.

And the guy Hicks has been trying to fire, Rick Parry, the CEO, deserves to be fired. He’s done a very bad job at securing sponsorship deals, and signing players that Benitez has identified and targeted. Right after Liverpool won the European Champions league in 2004-2005, Parry had them renew their existing shirt sponsorship deal with Carlsberg, at the old terms. They had just won a major trophy, in a thrilling win that garnered tremendous worldwide publicity, and the best that Parry could do was to get a renewal of the old sponsorship contract. Parry has also feuded with Benitez, and tried to replace Benitez with Klinsmann.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 1:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I have heard

all the attacks on parry, and the squabbling about who played footsie with klinsmann, but i think that’s just the ancillary shit that flies around when two tycoons go to war – this battle is between hicks and gillette, and of course everyone in the vicinity is liable to end up covered w mud. I believe hicks took a huge beating in the bear stearns debacle, thus at this point everything he’s doing is probably aimed at shoring up his short term cash position. Rick parry. ron washington, and plenty of other guys are likely to get steamrollered in the process, through no particular fault of their own.

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 26, 2008 9:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Rick Parry

has been feuding with Rafa Benitez for some time, before Bear Stearns.

Rafa Benitez has taken Liverpool to 2 Champions League Finals in 3 seasons, winning once. This year, they’re in the semis again, with a decent shot of getting to the final.

I’m a Liverpool fan. Speaking entirely for myself, I’d take Rafa over Parry every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Also, it was Parry who brought Hicks / Gillette in. So he’s as responsible for this mess as anyone else.

Lastly, what has firing Parry or Ron Washington got to do with Hicks’ short term cash position? If Hicks fires Wash, he’s still on the hook for his contract.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 9:45 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah, one European Champions title

one 2nd place, and once again in the semis is less than he should achieve.

Which manager who has spent the same as Benitez has done better in the last 3-4 years. Mourinho? SAF? Arsene? Mourinho and SAF have both spent more than Rafa. Arsene has spent less. SAF and Arsene have been with their clubs for a long time, they have gotten to build their clubs up. None of those 3 have better records in winning major titles.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 10:34 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Also, if Benitez is neither succesful nor good

who’d you replace him with?

Jurgen Klinssman? What has he won as a manager? What has he even done as a manager? He has no experience in being a club manager.

Please define successful. Benitez won 2 Spanish Champions titles with Valencia. 1 European Champions title with Liverpool. That European Champions title he won was won with a squad full of has beens and never will bes against teams fielding some of the greatest players in the world. Against a team that had guys who had played in multiple European Champions league finals and multiple World Cup finals. Guys who were among the best at their positions, ever, in Maldini and Cafu. And has reached the European Champions final one other time with Liverpool.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 10:45 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's all about the Premiership title. Benitez hasn't come close

to winning it. He was successful in Spain, but that’s not England. The Champions League title is a toss up – and Liverpool have been incredibly lucky in that through the last few years.

Who would I replace him with? Ken Macha. I hate Liverpool though.

by OldhamA on Apr 27, 2008 4:53 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Financial impact of firing wash - or rick parry

I assume the reason you would fire wash now is that it would look like a pro-active response to the team’s bad results meant to improve the morale of the fans and get them to come off the hip for tickets, souvenirs etc – the reason most managers get fired. Re rafa, couldn’t agree more – he’s likely to be in madrid next year and livin’ large, to the detriment of liverpool. I think the hell hicks is raising is meant to pressure his partners to take the money from the dubai guys, thus getting hicks’ balance sheet improved. Thus – my opinion – none of this is about the individual managers – it’s meant to make a buyout more likely….

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 26, 2008 10:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Re Wash

this might be true for some other team. But, the Rangers have sucked for years. Hell, they still are on the hook for Buck Showalter’s salary. I seriously doubt that a sacrificial firing of the manager is going to boost ticket sales, especially a manager who’s only been on the job for slightly more than a year.

Firing Wash isn’t going to make the fans forget Adrian Gonzalez + Chris Young for Akinori Otsuka and Adam Eaton. It’s not going to make the fans forget John Danks for Brandon McCarthy.

If Hicks wants a sacrificial firing, Jon Daniels would likely be a better choice.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Rafa successful?!?!?!?

He does ok at knockout competitions, but he hasn’t finished above 3rd in the league despite spending more net in his time than United has – yet says he doesn’t have enough to spend (38 million pounds on 2 players this year).

by ChuckBudd on Apr 26, 2008 11:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ok at knockout competitions?

One European Champions title, one 2nd place, in the semis again this year, in 4 years is just “OK”?

“but he hasn’t finished above 3rd in the league despite spending more net in his time than United has – yet says he doesn’t have enough to spend (38 million pounds on 2 players this year).”

Firstly, look at the team he took over. This was a team with the likes of Djimi Traore as starting left back and Jerzy Dudek as the starting goalie. How muc money did SAF spend when he first took over at Man United, and how long did it take him to win a major title?

Secondly, only the league matters? Why does the Champions League not count? The teams in the Champions League are the best in Europe.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

finished below Everton in the league

‘nuff said. The champions league is a knockout tournament – anything can happen over 2 matches. The Premiership is 38 games long. Heck, they don’t even belong in the “champions” league, as they have never even won the Premiership (unlike my Rovers)!

Net spending over the past 4 seasons is more than anyone but Chelsea, yet he complains about not being “supported.” What more does he need? Not the owners fault he’s made some bad signings (Pennant, Bellamy, Gonzales, Kuyt, Crouch, etc.). After 4 years (with a team that wasn’t too bad in talent to begin with) you can’t blame Houllier anymore. Even Houllier finished in the top 4 every season, and usually top 2 or 3.

Benitez should be re-named Jim Jones with the power he has to hoodwink the fans. But hey, I hope he never leaves, so Liverpool always stay out of title contention.

(sorry for bringing football discussion into a baseball thread, my last words on this topic)

by ChuckBudd on Apr 26, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The world series is a knockout tournament

anything can happen.

The Premiership is 38 games long. It’s also full of a bunch of teams whose only goal often is to play for a draw when on the road, and “steal” a point. At least in the Champions League, over the 2 games, teams play to win, not to draw so that they don’t get relegated.

Also, the group stages of the Champions League are not knockout.

The rules say that they belong in the Champions League.

It’s Parry’s fault that Parry cannot acquire the players that Benitez asks him to acquire. And Crouch is not a bad signing.

A team with Djimi Traore at leftback wasn’t bad in talent? A team with Jerzy Dudek as the goalie wasn’t bad in talent? What did all the players he sold away do after they left? Milan Baros? Vlad Smicer? Etc.? Nothing.

What major title did Houllier win? No Champions League titles, no league title, just a bunch of minor titles. Finishing 2 or 3 or 4 or below Everton are all basically meaningless. What matters are major titles.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 11:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This is why I'd be pretty reticent

about accepting my first managerial job with a bad team if I was a baseball coach. There’s only so much a manager can do. And if you raise your team from 68 to 72 wins—which would be an admirable performance by any manager—so what? You’re still going to get fired, and then you’re stamped as a retread for future jobs.

It’s a gamble, I guess. Somewhat of a calculated one, but a gamble nonetheless.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 25, 2008 10:34 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

It's a tough spot to be sure

If you take it and can’t turn things around whether you really have control over it or not, you may be branded a loser.

If you don’t take it because you know it’s not a good situation for you, you may be branded as too picky.

On the other hand, I would hope Wash has enough of a reputation earned around the league from his time in Oakland that doing no better than anyone else has in Texas lately won’t be held against him.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Apr 25, 2008 11:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I read a report

a couple of years back where Hicks circulated a note around the front office, polling everyone as to how many wins the Rangers would have for the season..

You were not allowed a guess under 82!

That whole event says it all about Hicks style and effect.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 25, 2008 11:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

in some professions

you really can’t decline your first post, even if it’s not in the best organization. You just hope to use it as a stepping stone for a similar job in a better place. I know, I’m in one such profession. I had to accept my first offer even though it was not a place I wanted to stay at…it did help me get a similar job in a place I did want to be.

I don’t know whether MLB managing is one of those professions, though when you see how managers get fired and re-hired it might indicate that.

by OaklandSi on Apr 26, 2008 9:44 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I saw this coming...

...from a mile away. Even before Wash was hired. The Rangers are one of those cellar dweller teams that go through managers every few years. I knew Wash wouldn’t last long. He didn’t even get a chance, and he’ll be gone. Then the next manager will be gone in a few years…

Juan Pierre: 44 Million Dollars, Juan Pierre's 3.2 WARP3: Priceless

by Travis Buck Nuckin on Apr 25, 2008 10:49 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

+a million

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 25, 2008 11:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The thing about being a manager in baseball

is that the very first day takes you closer to the day you will be fired. Unless your Connie Mack, the end is always near. Eh, Wash will land on his feet. Hopefully in Oakland as an infield coach. Barton desperately needs his services.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 26, 2008 2:14 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's not Wash's fault that

the Rangers have no pitching. BRING WASH HOME NOW!

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 26, 2008 1:01 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Wash has a winning personality and a great baseball acumen.

Somehow, I see him wearing a suit and holding a microphone as part of his future.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 26, 2008 1:18 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

He's gotta be better than Cotroneo...

although, I kinda like Cotroneo. I’d rather have him replace that foam peanut that does the TV games with Fosse…

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 26, 2008 10:05 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Updates on Ex-A's

Dan Johnson cleared waivers and was sent to Tampa Bay’s AAA affiliate. Adam Melhuse was released by the Texas Rangers.

by richwol1 on Apr 26, 2008 1:38 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

BRING BACK MILHOUSE!

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Apr 26, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

noooooo

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 26, 2008 6:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Doing what?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 27, 2008 12:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How bad is that??!!!

Instead of going to Sacto, which has decent attendance and a AAAA-status, he’s in North Carolina!!
Probably now making $40k per year!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 26, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

no kidding. oh well

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 26, 2008 6:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

COME HOME, WASH!!

we desperately need an infield defense coach!

""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's

by gotgreen on Apr 26, 2008 2:08 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

+1

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have him back as an infield coach. Hell, I want him back just for his personality! Are there any rules as to how many coaches we can have? Can Tony D stay as 3rd base coach and then have an extra infield coach?

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Apr 26, 2008 7:53 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

the only reason not to reassign Tony D

is that it would be a dick move. Bad juju. Bad wa. Tony D’s a good guy, and you shouldn’t screw good guy A to hook up good guy B.

Wash should go home (if he’s rebuilt it yet) and take their money for the rest of the year, and start fresh again next year, whether in the booth somewhere or on the A’s coaching staff…

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 26, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

i'm not suggesting Tony D be removed either

i like him as the third base coach and i think he deserves that job… but i would LOVE to have Wash come back to teach infield defense again! (the A’s have made 16 infield errors so far!!)

maybe he can teach before games … and then go up to the booth during games! :)

""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's

by gotgreen on Apr 26, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I agree too.

As much as I think that Daric Barton needs Wash’s help, I’d rather the guy just take a bit of a vacation from the baloney.

I wish the A’s could bring him in – but that’s probably not going to happen. Go get some rest, and see what team wants a great infield coach in 2009.

by ChrisCEIT on Apr 26, 2008 4:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

okay, keep Tony D as third base coach...

but, bring back Wash as “Fielding Coach,” please. I’m tired of watching the game count for errors rather than wins.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 26, 2008 2:22 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

or...

what gotgreen said.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 26, 2008 2:23 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

And

Donnie Murphy could use some Wash

by jeffro on Apr 28, 2008 5:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's a general manager's, general manager's, general manager's world

Hey, our team sucks due to a bunch of woeful and misinformed investments!

I know! Fire the manager that was hired last season!

Brilliant.

Wash should have been the A’s manager in the first place, and certainly deserves a place in the organization should the Rangers be so short-sighted as to let him go.

P.S. I know the subject line was a stretch and I apologize.

by Joey C. on Apr 26, 2008 2:46 AM PDT reply reply   1 recs

Team Defense

RW is going to get run out of Texas, not for the pitching, but for the simple fact that the Rangers have gotten off to back to back poor starts with horrible feilding.

RW was intially brought in for his ability to work, with infielders in particular and everyone as a whole, on team defense. Texas leads the AL in Errors and unearned runs.
Im not going to say its all RW fault, buthe is the simplest choice to make to try roshake up a bad ballclub.

by laxtonto on Apr 26, 2008 9:45 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Texas' D has long been poor

The problem isn’t Ron Washington. The problem is playing Mike Young at SS. The problem is elevating Mike Young to Saviour of the Franchise, after ARod was traded. The problem is Jon Daniels choosing to sign Young to an $80M / 5 extension. Sure, Wash is supposed to help with the D, but there’s only so much a coach can do. Young is one of the worst defensive SSs in MLB. He should be at 2b, or even 3b. At this point in his career, his defensive skills are those of a 3b, not a middle infielder. Wash didn’t put together this team. It wasn’t Wash’s genius idea to make Mike Young the regular starting SS.

If the Rangers want to shake up a bad ballclub, they should sack the GM who put the team together.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 26, 2008 10:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm in agreement with that> sack the GM!

Jon Daniels… what “goods” does he have, on “who”???

He’s rather young and without much of a baseball track record, yet he persists.

Billy Beane came up the right way: a lengthy tuteledge under a winner (Sandy Alderson) yet he saw success (1990-1992) as well as franchise mediocrity (1995-1997) before he got the job.

Plus, as an ex-player, he has “cred” that simply “comes with the coating”. Not that I endorse the Knicks’ GM Isahiah Thomas or Elgin Baylor (Clippers) on that CV item alone…..

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 26, 2008 2:00 PM PDT