I had planned to write about the #2 thing I would like to see at Spring Training this year (if I were going).

Unfortunately, this post will be devoted to a breaking news story about the Rangers’ skipper.

Last July, Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine use during MLB’s annual random drug testing of Rangers coaches, clubhouse staff and personnel. To his credit, he called the Rangers’ front office and the commissioner’s office before the test results came back to let them know that he would most likely fail. Washington did say that it was the first and only time in his life (he’s 57 years old) that he tried cocaine. Personally, I think the odds of that being true are just a little better than my odds of winning the Texas Lotto tonight. And I didn’t even buy a ticket. But, following the failed test, Wash went throught the MLB’s counseling program and was tested regularly for the rest of the season. He passed every test.

The Rangers chose to stand by their skipper last July.

I’ll admit…I’m struggling with several emotions right now. I’m angry, saddened, shocked and befuddled.

Mostly, I’m disappointed.

He was given the opportunity to manage a Major League Baseball team.

My team.

Why, under any circumstance, would he jeopardize a life’s worth of work for something so foolish?  Many already considered him in the hot seat. I bet the seat’s smoking now.

Do I think the Rangers should fire him?

No.

Not now.

I would have had no issue if the Rangers had decided to fire him last July. Completely understandable. He makes the day-to-day decisions for the ball club. That’s a lot of responsibility to place on a guy if your not sure he is stable.

But they stuck with him, and it seems he has righted the ship.

The Rangers shouldn’t fire him now that the story hit the media mainstream. What message would that send?

But I’ll tell you one thing. The hiring of Clint Hurdle as the hitting coach certainly was a smart move. Not only is he a great hitting coach, but he also serves as one heck of a contingency plan should Wash fall off the wagon.

I hope this is the last we hear of this. For Wash’s sake, and for the Rangers.