SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologized Wednesday for using cocaine during the 2009 season and will voluntarily submit to additional testing by Major League Baseball in the future.

 

Washington told the club he used cocaine and offered to resign as soon as he was randomly selected for a drug test by Major League Baseball. Club president Nolan Ryan, general manager Jon Daniels and other officials decided not to accept the offer after they were convinced that Washington had used only once.

 

"I apologize for a huge mistake I made," Washington said in a prepared statement at a news conference Wednesday morning in Arizona. "I'm not here to make excuses. I'm not here for sympathy. That would be asking too much. I'm truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and, frankly, stupid behavior last year."

 

 

Richard Durrett and the rest of the ESPNDallas.com team have the inside scoop on the Rangers, the American League and Major League Baseball. Blog

 

Washington immediately entered into the MLB's drug program, which included testing three times a week. He completed that program a few weeks ago, but said he will ask the league to continue to test him in the future.

 

"I was in total shock. Then I was mad," Ryan said of his initial reaction to Washington's positive test during a chat Wednesday on ESPNDallas.com. "Then I was very disappointed. I went through an array of emotions."

 

Ryan said the club discussed accepting Washington's resignation but after "a lot of soul-searching" decided to allow Washington to continue to manage the club. The team had picked up Washington's option for 2010 before he used cocaine and tested positive.

 

"We think of him as part of our family," Ryan said. "Just because somebody in your family makes a mistake doesn't mean you quit loving them. We'll move forward."

 

Added Ryan during his chat on ESPNDallas.com: "He's going to be judged on the season and how a team plays for him and our evaluation of the job he does."

 

Washington, entering his fourth season as manager of the Rangers, told his team in a meeting Wednesday morning. Most of the players were in attendance at the news conference. So was his wife, Gerry.

 

"I didn't have much to say, other than the fact that I was sorry for what happened," Washington said. "I hope they will allow me to continue to lead them. They embraced it. And if you look around the room, you'll see the support they have for me because they know the support I have for them."

 

Washington said he used cocaine only once during the season. When asked if that was the only time he used illegal drugs, Washington said "the drug we're talking about, yes."

 

Daniels and Ryan said the club is satisfied Washington has been completely honest with them about the situation.

 

"We felt like he was sincere and forthright," Ryan said. "With the way he has responded, we truly believe this was a one-time incident that he just used bad judgment on."

 

The club did not suspend or fine Washington, saying that he completed the requirements under the MLB's drug policy. Daniels said he was treated like any other employee of the Rangers in terms of disciplinary action.

 

Washington had tears in his eyes before he entered the news conference flanked by his wife, Ryan, Daniels, assistant general Thad Levine and a huge number of players.

 

Washington didn't really answer why he used cocaine last season.

 

"That's a question I have had to face in numerous sessions with counselors," Washington said. "I've learned a lot about myself personally, and I recognize that this episode was an attempt to dodge personal anxieties and personal issues I needed to confront."

 

Washington stressed he used cocaine that "one and only time" and has had clean tests since that point.

 

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

 

 

 

You'd think with him having Hamilton on his teams as a perfect example of what can happen with drugs he'd be more careful.

You'd think with him having Hamilton on his teams as a perfect example of what can happen with drugs he'd be more careful.

 

 

You'd think having had Josh Hancock and Nick Adenhart on their team would serve as a perfect example for what can happen while riding in a car to their respective teams. But Tony LaRussa goes drunk driving two years later and he gets a standing ovation from the crowd. Ah but beer is taxed so it's a good drug for you. I think it's interesting the two drugs that are legal, alcohol and cigarettes, two drugs that do absolutely nothing for you at all; and the drugs that might open your mind up to realize how badly you're being f***ed every day of your life? Those drugs are against the law. Coincidence?

 

You know, I'd like to hear a positive drug story. Always that same story, "Young man on acid thought he could fly, jumped out of a building, what a tragedy." What a dick, f*** him, he's an idiot. If he thought he could fly, why didn't he take off the ground first. You don't see ducks lined up to catch elevators to fly south, they fly from the ground you moron, quit ruining it for everybody. He's a moron, he's dead, good, we lost a moron, f***ing celebrate. I don't mean to sound cold or cruel or vicious, but I am, so that's the way it comes out.

 

How about a positive drug story, wouldn't that be news worthy at least once? To base your decision on information rather than scare tactics and superstition? "Today, a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiences itself subjectively. There's no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather."

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologized Wednesday for using cocaine during the 2009 season and will voluntarily submit to additional testing by Major League Baseball in the future.

 

Washington told the club he used cocaine and offered to resign as soon as he was randomly selected for a drug test by Major League Baseball. Club president Nolan Ryan, general manager Jon Daniels and other officials decided not to accept the offer after they were convinced that Washington had used only once.

 

"I apologize for a huge mistake I made," Washington said in a prepared statement at a news conference Wednesday morning in Arizona. "I'm not here to make excuses. I'm not here for sympathy. That would be asking too much. I'm truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and, frankly, stupid behavior last year."

 

 

Richard Durrett and the rest of the ESPNDallas.com team have the inside scoop on the Rangers, the American League and Major League Baseball. Blog

 

Washington immediately entered into the MLB's drug program, which included testing three times a week. He completed that program a few weeks ago, but said he will ask the league to continue to test him in the future.

 

"I was in total shock. Then I was mad," Ryan said of his initial reaction to Washington's positive test during a chat Wednesday on ESPNDallas.com. "Then I was very disappointed. I went through an array of emotions."

 

Ryan said the club discussed accepting Washington's resignation but after "a lot of soul-searching" decided to allow Washington to continue to manage the club. The team had picked up Washington's option for 2010 before he used cocaine and tested positive.

 

"We think of him as part of our family," Ryan said. "Just because somebody in your family makes a mistake doesn't mean you quit loving them. We'll move forward."

 

Added Ryan during his chat on ESPNDallas.com: "He's going to be judged on the season and how a team plays for him and our evaluation of the job he does."

 

Washington, entering his fourth season as manager of the Rangers, told his team in a meeting Wednesday morning. Most of the players were in attendance at the news conference. So was his wife, Gerry.

 

"I didn't have much to say, other than the fact that I was sorry for what happened," Washington said. "I hope they will allow me to continue to lead them. They embraced it. And if you look around the room, you'll see the support they have for me because they know the support I have for them."

 

Washington said he used cocaine only once during the season. When asked if that was the only time he used illegal drugs, Washington said "the drug we're talking about, yes."

 

Daniels and Ryan said the club is satisfied Washington has been completely honest with them about the situation.

 

"We felt like he was sincere and forthright," Ryan said. "With the way he has responded, we truly believe this was a one-time incident that he just used bad judgment on."

 

The club did not suspend or fine Washington, saying that he completed the requirements under the MLB's drug policy. Daniels said he was treated like any other employee of the Rangers in terms of disciplinary action.

 

Washington had tears in his eyes before he entered the news conference flanked by his wife, Ryan, Daniels, assistant general Thad Levine and a huge number of players.

 

Washington didn't really answer why he used cocaine last season.

 

"That's a question I have had to face in numerous sessions with counselors," Washington said. "I've learned a lot about myself personally, and I recognize that this episode was an attempt to dodge personal anxieties and personal issues I needed to confront."

 

Washington stressed he used cocaine that "one and only time" and has had clean tests since that point.

 

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

 

 

 

You'd think with him having Hamilton on his teams as a perfect example of what can happen with drugs he'd be more careful.

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't this make Ron Washington a "great story?" I mean...he said "I'm sorry." If Josh Hamilton is a great story...why can't Ron Washington be a great story, too?

And to just go more on a tangent, because I can, 10% of MLB players still take amphetamines. But they have a doctor's note saying they're allowed to, so it's ok. 10% of MLB players take speed, and nobody cares. They shouldn't care. I just find that funny. I also wonder how many players have doctor notes for medical marijuana. sh*t, this job is so stressful, I need to toke before the game. You wouldn't hear a story about that. No, the only drugs you're allowed to know about are the ones that are taxed. Beer and tobacco, which are intertwined in the game. You take those, hey, it's the game, you can do it while watching, you can do it while playing. Do those drugs, no one cares. Do something else though, oh sh*t, it's witch hunt time.

The idea that there is hypocrisy within our drug regulation isn't exactly revolutionary at this point.

I never said it was

You'd think with him having Hamilton on his teams as a perfect example of what can happen with drugs he'd be more careful.

 

 

You'd think having had Josh Hancock and Nick Adenhart on their team would serve as a perfect example for what can happen while riding in a car to their respective teams. But Tony LaRussa goes drunk driving two years later and he gets a standing ovation from the crowd. Ah but beer is taxed so it's a good drug for you. I think it's interesting the two drugs that are legal, alcohol and cigarettes, two drugs that do absolutely nothing for you at all; and the drugs that might open your mind up to realize how badly you're being f***ed every day of your life? Those drugs are against the law. Coincidence?

 

You know, I'd like to hear a positive drug story. Always that same story, "Young man on acid thought he could fly, jumped out of a building, what a tragedy." What a dick, f*** him, he's an idiot. If he thought he could fly, why didn't he take off the ground first. You don't see ducks lined up to catch elevators to fly south, they fly from the ground you moron, quit ruining it for everybody. He's a moron, he's dead, good, we lost a moron, f***ing celebrate. I don't mean to sound cold or cruel or vicious, but I am, so that's the way it comes out.

 

How about a positive drug story, wouldn't that be news worthy at least once? To base your decision on information rather than scare tactics and superstition? "Today, a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiences itself subjectively. There's no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather."

 

I think I may have touched a nerve, lol. I should have specified certain drugs. I know caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are all drugs. Coke is something I believe has no medical value anymore and highly addictive.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologized Wednesday for using cocaine during the 2009 season and will voluntarily submit to additional testing by Major League Baseball in the future.

 

Washington told the club he used cocaine and offered to resign as soon as he was randomly selected for a drug test by Major League Baseball. Club president Nolan Ryan, general manager Jon Daniels and other officials decided not to accept the offer after they were convinced that Washington had used only once.

 

"I apologize for a huge mistake I made," Washington said in a prepared statement at a news conference Wednesday morning in Arizona. "I'm not here to make excuses. I'm not here for sympathy. That would be asking too much. I'm truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and, frankly, stupid behavior last year."

 

 

Richard Durrett and the rest of the ESPNDallas.com team have the inside scoop on the Rangers, the American League and Major League Baseball. Blog

 

Washington immediately entered into the MLB's drug program, which included testing three times a week. He completed that program a few weeks ago, but said he will ask the league to continue to test him in the future.

 

"I was in total shock. Then I was mad," Ryan said of his initial reaction to Washington's positive test during a chat Wednesday on ESPNDallas.com. "Then I was very disappointed. I went through an array of emotions."

 

Ryan said the club discussed accepting Washington's resignation but after "a lot of soul-searching" decided to allow Washington to continue to manage the club. The team had picked up Washington's option for 2010 before he used cocaine and tested positive.

 

"We think of him as part of our family," Ryan said. "Just because somebody in your family makes a mistake doesn't mean you quit loving them. We'll move forward."

 

Added Ryan during his chat on ESPNDallas.com: "He's going to be judged on the season and how a team plays for him and our evaluation of the job he does."

 

Washington, entering his fourth season as manager of the Rangers, told his team in a meeting Wednesday morning. Most of the players were in attendance at the news conference. So was his wife, Gerry.

 

"I didn't have much to say, other than the fact that I was sorry for what happened," Washington said. "I hope they will allow me to continue to lead them. They embraced it. And if you look around the room, you'll see the support they have for me because they know the support I have for them."

 

Washington said he used cocaine only once during the season. When asked if that was the only time he used illegal drugs, Washington said "the drug we're talking about, yes."

 

Daniels and Ryan said the club is satisfied Washington has been completely honest with them about the situation.

 

"We felt like he was sincere and forthright," Ryan said. "With the way he has responded, we truly believe this was a one-time incident that he just used bad judgment on."

 

The club did not suspend or fine Washington, saying that he completed the requirements under the MLB's drug policy. Daniels said he was treated like any other employee of the Rangers in terms of disciplinary action.

 

Washington had tears in his eyes before he entered the news conference flanked by his wife, Ryan, Daniels, assistant general Thad Levine and a huge number of players.

 

Washington didn't really answer why he used cocaine last season.

 

"That's a question I have had to face in numerous sessions with counselors," Washington said. "I've learned a lot about myself personally, and I recognize that this episode was an attempt to dodge personal anxieties and personal issues I needed to confront."

 

Washington stressed he used cocaine that "one and only time" and has had clean tests since that point.

 

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

 

 

 

You'd think with him having Hamilton on his teams as a perfect example of what can happen with drugs he'd be more careful.

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't this make Ron Washington a "great story?" I mean...he said "I'm sorry." If Josh Hamilton is a great story...why can't Ron Washington be a great story, too?

 

 

I'm confused.