ANAHEIM, Calif; — On Friday, the Los Angeles Angels announced that manager Ron Washington will remain on medical leave throughout the remainder of the season.
Ray Montgomery has been named Interim Manager for the remainder of the season. Ryan Goins will serve as bench coach.
"Obviously this is a tough day for me," Angels General Manager Perry Minasian said. "I look at it two ways right. Unfortunate that he won't manage again this year."
"As you guys know him. He's a unique personality in my opinion, and I think a lot of people's opinion. The game of baseball is a thousand times better when Ron Washington's a part of it on a daily basis. I think we all know that. So obviously on that end it's unfortunate. The fortunate part is he knows what he needs to do, and from a health standpoint, he knows how to get better."
Washington (73) would remain out indefinitely due to a health scare after the team made the announcement last Friday. No specifics about the medical leave were provided by the club.
While Washington will no longer be managing the team for the remainder of the season, Minasian said that Washington remains in good spirits and that he has the utmost confidence in Montgomery managing the team.
"We're gonna miss him," Minasian said. "Part of hiring a staff, which he did a great job with, is putting a group together that if the what if happens, you're prepared for it. Ray will take over in that spot for the remainder of the year."
"It's tough when you lose your manager," Angels outfielder Mike Trout said. "Like I said, it's bigger than baseball. He's gotta get healthy. He's gotta get right. I'm sure he'll come out of it great."
Before stepping away from the team, Washington was in the middle of his second season managing the team, having a record of 36-38. Today, that record is 40-40 with the Angels just one game out of the wild card spot.
Washington has been around the game of baseball for 45 years as both a player and a coach. He has been known as one of the great minds in the sport, and also known as a defensive guru and as someone who brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse.
"I've learned a lot," Angels shortstop Zach Neto said. "There's been a lot of ups and downs. But a lot of learning lessons in between those. Just being able to become a man owning up to my mistakes. And just being able to flush it and keep moving on."
"He doesn't take any days off, just comes in ready to work. He loves his infield work, as you know."
Montgomery has been a part of the Angels organization for the last five years, serving as the bench coach and working under three different managers.
"I mean it’s a big adjustment not having Wash here but having Ray come in and take the role," Catcher Logan O'Hoppe said. "Like it’s really nothing new. Like he’s been around for so long and been such a help to everyone, so just keep that going.”
Montgomery said he went over to see Washington on Thursday to make sure he was doing okay and in good spirits.
While Montgomery has been filling in as the interim manager of the Angels the last week, the team is 4-2 and just completed a three-game sweep over the Boston Red Sox.
"Honestly it's like a transactional piece," Montgomery said. "I'm looking at it as we have a game to play today. A week ago, when this started we had the same mindset, and nothing's really changed."