The manager is out for the season. Ron Washington (73), the oldest manager in Major League Baseball, will miss the remainder of the season due to health issues.
The Angels organization announced on the 28th (Korean time) that Manager Washington has decided to take a leave of absence for the rest of the season due to health reasons ahead of the game against the Washington Nationals. Bench coach Ray Montgomery will serve as interim manager for the remaining season. Infield coach Ryan Goins has moved to the bench coach position.
According to 'MLB.com', the Angels organization did not reveal what health issues Director General Washington is facing. However, the problem was detected early, and he knows what needs to be done to regain his health, so a return next year seems possible.
Angels Director General Perry Minasian said, "This is personally a very difficult day. It is unfortunate that Manager Washington cannot lead the team again this season. The game of baseball becomes a thousand times better when he is at the ballpark. However, I am grateful that he knows precisely how to find his state and health," and expressed hope for his return next year.
Born in 1952 and currently 73 years old, Manager Washington is the oldest active manager in Major League Baseball. He showed symptoms of shortness of breath during a four-game series against the New York Yankees from the 17th to the 20th and missed the game against the Houston Astros on the 21st. He watched the games from the suite at Angel Stadium until the 23rd but did not participate in the following road series against the Boston Red Sox, and it was decided that he would be out for the remainder of the season on the first day of the Washington series.
Minasian emphasized, "Manager Washington is in good condition. He knows well what needs to be done. I cannot comment on the details. If he feels okay, he will speak for himself. Right now, it is important to temporarily forget about baseball and focus on regaining his health. He is an excellent person."
Players who received the news four hours before the game also expressed their sadness. Star player Mike Trout said, "I wish Manager Washington was here, but right now he needs to regain his health. I will pray for him. I will play hard while thinking of him. Losing a manager is tough, but this is a more important issue than baseball."
Shortstop Zach Neto expressed gratitude, saying, "Manager Washington is like a father to me. I learned a lot during my first full-time season together. There were ups and downs, but I gained many lessons through them. I learned how to acknowledge mistakes and move on. Manager Washington definitely helped me."
Catcher Logan Ohapi also commented, "I hope Manager Washington gets well. I wish he receives the necessary help to regain his health without worrying about baseball at all. The main reason we have been doing well this year is Manager Washington. We will continue to carry on the winning spirit he instilled in us," indicating that they will keep pushing forward despite his absence.
Manager Washington began his managerial career in 2007 with the Texas Rangers and led the team for eight years until 2014, recording 664 wins and 611 losses (winning percentage .521). He reached the World Series in 2010 and 2011 but fell short in both, finishing as a runner-up. In September 2014, he resigned under allegations of sexual harassment but continued coaching with the Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves starting in 2015.
He took the helm of the Angels again last year. With a record of 63 wins and 99 losses (winning percentage .389), the team finished last in the American League (AL) West. However, this year, they improved to 40 wins and 41 losses (winning percentage .494), placing third in the division. It is regrettable that he is out due to health issues just as the team was improving. Since Manager Washington left, the Angels have recorded 4 wins and 3 losses.
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