Even quadruple bypass heart surgery won’t stop Ron Washington from coaching baseball.
The 73-year-old Washington will join the Giants’ coaching staff as infield coach, he confirmed Thursday.
“We are working out the logistics. I have agreed to join the Giants,” Washington told The Associated Press in a text message. “I get the opportunity to continue making a difference.”
Washington was at the helm of the Angels last season before abruptly leaving in June to undergo surgery, with bench coach Ray Montgomery taking over as interim manager for the rest of the year.
Despite the surgery, Washington maintained that the Angels’ decision to release him in September was based on the team’s play and not his health.
“You know, when you’re a competitor and you’re in charge, none of that stuff comes into play,” Washington told The Athletic in September. “Sometimes you have to make chicken salad out of chicken s–t.”
The Angels finished in last place in the American League West with a 72-90 record.
However, under Washington’s tenure, Los Angeles was at a respectable 36-38 when he left the team.
“I think I got the team moving in the right direction – I really do,” Washington said. “And it was just a shame that my health played a role, I can’t do anything about that.
“It was my team. I think the team adopted my personality. We certainly showed that. In this business, things like this happen to you. If things don’t go the way people wanted, you take the blame. And I’m doing fine.”
Washington also said he did not speak to owner Arte Moreno before he was fired.
“I have to accept that,” Washington added. “I can’t go back and argue with them and try to tell them differently once they’ve made a decision. … We started performing better.”
#Ron #Washington #takes #job #Giants #infield #coach #missing #due #medical #issues