The Los Angeles Angels announced today that manager Ron Washington has been placed on medical leave for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Washington has been absent from the Angels dugout for a week after experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath during a road trip against the New York Yankees. At 73, Washington is the oldest manager in MLB. He previously managed the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014 leading the team to back-to-back AL championships in 2010 and 2011.
Washington would spend 8 seasons as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves earning a World Series ring in 2021. In 2024, Washington was named the Angels' new skipper. Unfortunately, the team lost a franchise record 99 games last season.
The Angels enter tonight with a 40-40 record having not had a winning season since 2015 and no post-season appearances since 2014. Bench coach Ray Montgomery has been named the team's interim manager for the remainder of the season. Montgomery, who played parts of three seasons with the Houston Astros in the late 1990s, served as the scouting director for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers. He joined the Angels in 2020 as their director of player personnel before becoming part of the coaching staff in 2021. Under the circumstances, I hope Montgomery can help the Angels rally around Washington and a make a long overdue return to post-season baseball.
The nature of Washington's illness has not been disclosed and, of course, he is within his right to keep that information to himself and his family. Still, given the circumstances, one cannot help but think his condition is quite serious.
Current Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona, during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians/Guardians went on medical leave on several occasions before stepping down from the position after the 2023 season due to ongoing health issues. In 2015, then Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell missed a portion of the season after being diagnosed with lymphoma with future Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stepping into the breach. In the case of Francona and Farrell, both managers chose to make their condition public.
Whatever illness Ron Washington is dealing with, I hope he is healthy enough to the Angels dugout next year or at the very least can resume some activity where it concerns baseball. Washington's energy and passion is infectious and has made him one of MLB's most beloved figures.
Get well soon, Wash.
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