ARLINGTON, Texas -- Is it time to start talking about Ron Washington as American League Manager of the Year?
“Absolutely, Wash should be a top candidate,’’ said Rangers third baseman and clubhouse spokesman Michael Young. “No way we could be going the way we are without him. We’re a blue-collar team that works hard to win games and that goes back to him. That’s his style and now it is ours.’’
Rangers reliever Darren Oliver said he is a little surprised he hasn’t heard Washington’s name pop up more in Manager of the Year conversations.
“Look at some of the other teams that haven’t made the playoffs in a long time,’’ Oliver said. “He’s been able to turn this franchise around. If we make the playoffs, that would say a lot for him.’’
While in the Angels bullpen last season, Oliver played for 2009 Manager of the Year winner Mike Scioscia.
“Mike’s a great manager. Ron is, too. They are two different types of managers, each with their own style,’’ Oliver said.
Washington, 58, is in his fourth season as Rangers manager. Texas won 75 games in Washington’s first year in 2007, increased the total to 79 in 2008 and 87 last year. This year, the club is at 82 wins with 17 games remaining. They need just six wins to keep Washington's streak of increased wins each year intact.
Likely contenders include the Twins’ Ron Gardenhire, 2008 winner Joe Maddon of the Rays and Yankees skipper Joe Girardi.
Since the Manager of the Year award debuted in 1983, the Rangers have had two winners, Johnny Oates in 1996 (who shared the award with the Yankees Joe Torre) and Buck Showalter in 2004.
The Rangers were 90-72 for Oates in 1996 and made the playoffs for the first time in club history. Texas was 89-73 for Showalter in 2004 and finished third in the AL West.
Currently, the Rangers currently are 82-63 with 17 games remaining and lead second place Oakland by 10 games.
Is Ron Washington manager of the year? If he's not, who is?