Gettin' paid Ron Washington and the Rangers agreed to a two-year deal. Wash is third all-time behind Bobby Valentine and Johnny Oates for wins as a manager here.
Two years for the guy that lead this team to its most successful season in history, it's first pennant and first World Series. Two years for the guy that many (mostly white folk) wanted fired eight months ago for a positive drug test due to a cocaine party a summer ago.
He's also a guy that's improved every season, going from 73 wins to 79 wins to 87 wins to 90 wins.
There's two points here:
If you want to look at the Dallas Cowboys (and we must) and wonder how that talent can be mismanaged or whether or not it's really Wade Phillips' fault, look at Washington and the Rangers. He came in with the same attitude as Phillips: They're both easy-going guys that deflect any criticism away from their players. They don't scream or grab players by the facemask. Both have made critical tactical mistakes. They are two good ol' boys.
Yet, Washington has refined a masterful relationship with his players to the point that they'd seemingly do just about anything for him. Phillips is heading the biggest mess of a sports franchise, maybe, in NFL history.
Two, the relationship with Wash could be the first time that the Rangers have some consistency with the manager's position. When Oates and Valentine are your franchise leaders in wins as a manager, that isn't saying anything.
There's never been a year-in, year-out voice for fans and players to embrace. You just wonder when the bottom is going to drop out on things and Wash will be gone.
With the World Series, Wash has bought himself some time. A successful 2011 and he might have bought even more time.
Thankfully, we get another two years of Wash screwing up bullpen decisions! It'll be a blast!
