The Los Angeles Angels made headlines when they hired Ron Washington as the team’s next manager. On Wednesday, the Angels introduced Washington as their 23rd manager in franchise history. The new boss in town had a crystal-clear message for everyone else in the American League West Division:
The Angels are in your rearview mirror.
While tasked with bringing the Halos back to the Postseason for the first time since 2014, Washington didn’t back down from making a bold proclamation.
“Our whole focus will be to run the West down,” Washington said via The Athletic’s Sam Blum. “You can take that to the bank and deposit it.
Ron Washington:
“Our whole focus will be to run the West down. You can take that to the bank and deposit it.”
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 15, 2023
The Angels will have a lot of work to do to run the rest of the AL West down. While the feeble Oakland Athletics might not be up to the task, the rest of the division sure is. The Seattle Mariners are a feisty bunch, and while Jerry DiPoto’s bizarre comments made some feel a way, the team is clearly competent and talented.
Then, there are the juggernaut Houston Astros, who are a pain to deal with. They’re littered with good players, both young and old. They’re experienced, and they know how to win.
And then there’s also the Texas Rangers, who might be, at least, an aspiration for the Halos. The Rangers aren’t too far removed from losing 100 games in the regular season. They just won the World Series.
So hey, you just never know.
[Sam Blum]
