ATLANTA — It's a sad day in Braves Country -- beloved third base coach Ron Washington is leaving Atlanta to become the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
The man simply known as "Wash" had become an icon for Braves fans and a coach that teammates admired and looked up to.
The 71-year-old Washington joined the Braves coaching staff in 2016 when he was a candidate for the Braves open managerial position at the time, before Atlanta opted to promote Brian Snitker and hired Washington as the third base coach.
His time in Atlanta was filled with massive successes and many memories. Washington won a World Series on the Braves coaching staff in 2021 and had the opportunity to be on the coaching staff of the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
Known for his work with the Braves infielders before each and every game, Washington's most proud moment might have come this past season when the entire Atlanta infield was selected into the All-Star Game in Seattle.
Washington, who managed the Texas Rangers from 2006 to 2014, has been a beloved baseball figure for years. Known for his sincere laugh, hard-working attitude and joking spirit, Washington garnered the love and respect of Braves players during his seven seasons in Atlanta.
It's part of what made Washington not jump on several other managerial openings during the past few seasons in order to stay in an assistant coaching position with the Braves.
Former Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman summed up Washington's relationship with the players to Yahoo Sports at this year's MLB All-Star Game.
“If the 68-year-old man is outworking the 24-year-old player, we're in trouble,” Freeman told Yahoo Sports in July. “I think that he just sets an example for everybody: If this is what you want to do to succeed, this is how we're going to do it. He knows what he's doing. He knows what he's talking about. Everyone loves and respects him. But I can't really give advice because there's usually an F-word every other word.”
The Braves will certainly miss Washington's leadership not only in the clubhouse but on the field as well. The search for Atlanta's new third base coach will likely begin soon. Washington is also reportedly taking Braves first base coach Eric Young Sr. with him to LA, meaning the Braves will have another opening.
Washington will head back to the American League West, where he took the Rangers to a World Series appearance in 2010 and 2011. He joins the Angels, who recently hired former Braves front office member Perry Minasian as the team's general manager in 2020. Washington is 664-611 as a manger.
