Ron Washington’s Departure from Angels

Ron Washington has been in Anaheim lately, but not for long, it seems.

The Angels announced on Tuesday that they will not be picking up the 2026 options for their managers. Washington, who is 73, has been out of the loop since June due to undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery.

Alongside him, interim manager Ray Montgomery will also not be returning, according to reports from Athletic.

In a Tuesday interview with Athletic, Washington mentioned that this decision stemmed from the team’s performance rather than his own health issues. “When you’re a competitor and you’re in charge, you have to make tough decisions,” he stated. “Sometimes you have to make something out of nothing.”

He expressed some disappointment as he didn’t have a chance to discuss these decisions with Angels owner Arte Moreno prior to them being made. “I have to accept that,” he reflected. “There’s no going back on it.

Washington took over as the Angels’ manager before the start of the 2024 season. That year, the team struggled, ending with a record of 63-99.

At the time Washington stepped away, the Angels were relatively competitive, holding a 36-38 record. However, they eventually fell off and finished the season at 72-90.

“I thought we were moving in the right direction,” Washington mentioned, adding that it was unfortunate for him that his health interfered with the team’s progress. “It felt like my team reflected my character. This is just part of the business.”

Notably, former Angels stars Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, who currently act as special assistants, are believed to be potential candidates for the managerial role.