One of the coaches on the Atlanta Braves staff reportedly wants to be the next Houston Astros manager, and he has a similar resume to recently retired skipper Dusty Baker before he took over the job.
To the dismay of Houston Astros fans, the league’s current dynasty team was unsuccessful in defending their 2022 MLB championship. Nevertheless, they still won 90 games in 2023 and another American League West title. However, their frustrating AL Championship Series loss to the Texas Rangers created a major hole in their organization.
Related: Houston Astros Dusty Baker announces retirement after legendary career
After four years in Houston and 26 years as a manager, Dusty Baker stepped down from his role as the skipper of the Astros. He ended his run with an impressive 320-226 record and he finally got over the hump and won his one and only World Series title in 2022. Now, the job of filling an enviable position is the first priority for Houston this winter.
While there are many coaches who would relish the opportunity, there have not been any clear indications yet of what type of manager the team is looking for. Well, a new report claims one of the best managers in Rangers history is actually very interested in the opening.
Ron Washington interested in the Houston Astros manager job
On Monday, Houston’s KHOU 11 sports reporters Jason Bristol and Jeremy Booth reported that current Braves third base coach and former Rangers manager Ron Washington is “interested” in being the next manager for the Astros.
The 71-year-old is supposedly “beloved” by an Atlanta team that won over 100 games over the last two seasons. Washington took the Rangers to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011, but fell to the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.
Related: MLB upholds 2-game ban of Bryan Abreu after Houston Astros pitchers appeal
The veteran coach abruptly resigned from the job during the 2014 season due to serious off-the-field troubles. He has not taken on a manager role for another team in the nine years since. He finished with a 664-611 record after eight seasons with Texas.