Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington says he is embarrassed for being unfaithful to his wife of 42 years.
While offering no details, Washington publicly apologized to his wife and the Rangers during a 3 1/2-minute statement Thursday. It was his first public comment since abruptly resigning 13 days earlier.
Washington's wife, Gerry, sat in a chair to the side of the podium with an attorney. They left without taking questions, with Washington putting his right hand on her right shoulder as they departed through a back door.
The 62-year-old Washington led the Rangers to their only two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He was nearing the end of his eighth season, and was expected back in 2015, when he stepped down Sept. 5.
Washington's remarks
Here's what Washington told reporters Thursday:
"I want to thank you guys for coming. I just want to say a couple of things. When you respect baseball, baseball respects you. I made a mistake and I’m embarrassed more than I’ve ever been in my life. I don’t run when I make a mistake. When you put yourself in situations, you own it. Those are the type of things my wife says to me.
"I was not true to my wife. After 42 years I broke her trust. I’m here today to own that mistake and to apologize to her and to those that I disappointed and those who have trusted in me and I let her down.
"When I was 22 years old, I went to Mexico, and a lot of things started making sense to me about the game of baseball. I began to figure it out -- I was able to see things that maybe other people weren’t able to see. I remember calling my wife and letting her know that I feel like I have arrived. And I had figured this game out. In reality, you never really figure the game out. I did tell her to quit her job. It was a really proud moment for me and it was something I’ll always remember and she’s always stood by me.
"Today, I’m at a very low time in my life, I’m sorry for breaking the trust that I had with my wife and for disappointing my players, for disappointing my coaches, for disappointing Major League Baseball, and for disappointing the Texas Rangers. All I ask is for your forgiveness and for your understanding. I also ask that you respect our privacy as we go on with our lives. This matter is certainly personal and we’re trying hard to put it behind us.
"I was born to be a baseball player. I’m a baseball lifer. The Rangers gave me a home and I’m thankful for that. And I’m also thankful for the experience to have had the opportunity to manage here in Texas. I look to the future and getting back in the game and continuing my career.
"I want to give a final thanks to the fans. The Texas Rangers fans. You’ve been good to me. And I will miss the Metroplex and I will miss you. That’s all I have to say. Thank you."
Read KERA's earlier coverage regarding Washington's resignation.
Watch Washington's remarks
Watch Washington address the matter Thursday. Here's a video from KDFW-TV (Fox 4):
Earlier: Rangers' press conference
Earlier this month, Rangers officials addressed the resignation at a press conference. Here's a video from KDFW-TV (Fox 4):
Photo credit: Keith Allison/Flickr
