Ron Washington makes first return to Texas as an opposing manager with fond memories

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ron Washington often reflects on his first managerial job and taking the Texas Rangers to their first two World Series appearances.

“I was there, and as a manager, who wouldn’t want to win a World Series,” Washington said this week. “And I had two opportunities at it. Well, mainly one, in 2011 against the Cardinals. 2010 against the Giants, Bruce Bochy and his team just (beat) us. That was our first time in it, but then we came back the next year and we were more prepared for it. And, again, it didn’t happen.”

There are still fond memories for Washington in Texas, where he returns as an opposing manager for the first time when the Los Angeles Angels open a three-game series Friday night.

Washington is the winningest manager in Rangers franchise history. He won 664 games over eight seasons (2007-14) and two American League pennants for an organization that had never before won a postseason series.