To the surprise of most baseball fans -- though not all of them -- the Texas Rangers are in first place in the AL West a week into June. They hold a 4 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels. Huge credit should be given to the entire organization for their development of young talent, especially for making a maligned pitching staff serviceable enough to stay well above .500. Thus, the Rangers are rewarding their manager, Ron Washington. Washington was under fire as recently as April of this season, but Monday the team announced they will pick up his 2010 option.
Under Washington, the Rangers have shown steady growth. The improved by four games from 2007 to 2008, and this year they are taking the division by force, at least so far. He has been a solid leader for a team who has very little in the way of veteran leadership in the locker room (Michael Young and Kevin Millwood notwithstanding).
Keeping their manager in place is the right move for a franchise on the rise. With general manager Nolan Ryan and veteran pitching coach Mike Maddux joining Washington in steering the ship, the Texas Rangers finally look to be building a lasting foundation.
