Rangers Manager Enjoys Success, Seeks Respect
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By DERON SNYDER
Twice last week the Texas Rangers were one strike away from winning the World Series, as close as a team can possibly come. But they didn’t get that one strike against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 — in neither the ninth inning nor the 10th inning — proceeding to lose on Thursday night and again on Friday night.
But instead of being commended for piloting the Rangers to the World Series for the second consecutive season, manager Ron Washington was subjected to widespread second-guessing for his decisions in Game 6.
His use of relief pitchers and pinch-hitters was called “baffling,” as was his judgment in choice of players and when he chose them. Strategic moves that backfired in Game 7 were dissected, too.
Observers often display the 20-20 vision of hindsight when things don’t work as planned. And Washington was already on record about his managerial style, stating that he uses his instincts more than conventional wisdom.
