Archive for 03/17/10

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine in a Major League Baseball-administered drug test

Fraser Trevor

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Title: Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine in a Major League Baseball-administered drug test
Author: Fraser Trevor
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Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine in a Major League Baseball-administered drug test, SI.com reported today....

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine in a Major League Baseball-administered drug test, SI.com reported today. Washington confirmed to USA TODAY that he did test positive. 
"I made a mistake," Washington told USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale at Rangers camp in Surprise, Ariz. "I thought it was all behind me. I've done everything Major League Baseball has asked me to do." 
SI.com also notes that Washington, 57, took the unusual step of informing MLB officials that it was possible he'd test positive before the test came back. 
The Rangers held a team meeting this morning to discuss the matter before SI's report went public. They also scheduled a 2 p.m. ET news conference. 
Just two years ago, Washington and other managers would not have been subject to testing. But as part of the recommendations made by the Mitchell Report in December 2007, baseball added testing for managers, coaches and clubhouse personnel. 
Punishment for offenders is on a case-by-case basis, but there generally are no punitive measures for first-time offenders. 
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told SI.com that Washington will keep his job after the manager made assurances he will not use the drug again. 
Said Daniels: 
<blockquote> "We asked a lot of questions and worked through Major League Baseball's program, where Ron had appropriate consultation, support and testing. But for all the reasons we hired him in the first place, we felt and continued to feel that he's the right guy to lead the club. He made a significant mistake. He also admitted to it and took steps to ensure that it won't happen again." </blockquote>Washington tied for fourth in American League Manager of the Year voting in 2009. His club had to face another drug-related distraction that season when outfielder Josh Hamilton, whose battles with addiction delayed what became an All-Star career, admitted he suffered a relapse with alcohol in spring training. 
 
 
 
 
 
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