Washington, 73, managed the Angels for two seasons before the team parted ways with him at the end of the 2025 season. He was limited to just 74 games with the team last season due to heart surgery. Washington had intended to return for the 2026 season before his dismissal.
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While Washington’s tenure with the Angels didn’t go as planned (he had a .419 winning percentage in two seasons), he has been a successful coach in the past. In eight seasons with the Texas Rangers, Washington posted a .521 winning percentage and led the team to two consecutive World Series appearances.
Since a head coaching job is not in the cards for Washington this offseason, he will return to coaching infielders. It’s a role Washington has mastered throughout his career. The veteran coach is considered one of the best, if not the best, infield guru out there. He is credited with turning around several defenders, and one of his biggest wins was Marcus Semien, who dramatically improved his defense when he and Washington worked together with the A’s.
Washington was also the “Wash” referenced in the “Moneyball” scene with Scott Hatteberg. And while that’s a fictional version of what happened, Washington was the team’s infield coach when Hatteberg made the transition from catcher to first base.
Additionally, the scene in question was apparently not so fictional, as Washington said it played out similarly in real life.
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The move provides insight into how Vitello, who is making an unprecedented leap from college to the pros, wants the Giants to operate. He clearly values ​​defense, and Washington already has some strong pieces to work with in San Francisco, including Matt Chapman and Willy Adames.
Adames and Chapman are among the players who don’t need a high level of attention from Washington, as they are already among the best defenders at their positions. Everyone else on the Giants roster, however, is about to receive a masterclass in defense from one of the best defensive coaches in the game.