Ron Washington’s appointment as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels has created quite a stir in the baseball community. Washington, who is well-known for his strong leadership, didn’t take long to declare his determination to rule the AL West division. In his opening press conference, he declared, “Running down the West will be our entire focus.” You are able to deposit that at the bank. The Angels are sending a strong message to their rivals, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, that they mean business with their ferocious declaration.

Washington’s managerial resume speaks for itself. He turned the Texas Rangers from underdogs to reliable contenders during his tenure there, leading the team to two World Series berths. Under his direction, the Rangers came agonisingly close to winning it all in 2011. Washington has a 664-611 lifetime win-loss record, demonstrating his ability to lead teams to victory. He now brings his winning mindset to an Angels team that is going through a transition, needing to maximise the play of an ailing Mike Trout, and dealing with questions about players like Shohei Ohtani.

Washington’s decisions on the coaching staff already reflect his rebuilding strategy for the Angels. Washington intends to infuse the club with a blend of expertise, inventiveness, and youthful enthusiasm by adding Eric Young Sr., a World Series champion known for his focus on speed and contact, and Ryan Goins, a defensive acrobat. These actions might not generate headlines, but they are calculated choices meant to provide a firm base for a team hoping to mount a successful immediate recovery.