Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina, Washington is still putting the finishing touches on his flood-ravaged home in New Orleans, the one he and his wife have had for 27 years.
“The neighborhood is coming back,” Washington said, with a smile.
Before this week, Washington got to live in the mostly redone home only two days before spring training.
Now it’s back to his summer project, one that in late April seemed the second-year manager wouldn’t be around to oversee.
Washington’s job was in jeopardy after Texas lost 16 of its first 23 games. The Rangers, outscored 37-10 in three games at Detroit, were already seven games back in the AL West.
Instead of firing Washington less than a month into the season, new team president Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels waited to see how the team would respond to adversity.
They got a positive response, despite an ever-revolving starting rotation.
The Rangers (50-46) have since won 16 of their last 23 series - not games - with three splits.
“I like that we are finally playing consistent baseball,” Washington said. “What we believed is happening. It’s certainly headed in the right direction. I’m not shocked at all.”
Texas trails the Los Angeles Angels by 7½ games, only a half-game further back than 2½ months ago. The Rangers are within 1½ games of second-place Oakland.
“To come back from where we were at the beginning of the season says a lot about our team’s makeup,” said Hamilton, whose personal comeback from cocaine addiction is one of baseball’s most inspiring stories. “I think it’s going to carry over to the second half. We’re excited.”
There are 66 games left. Can Texas finish with a winning record or contend for its first playoff appearance since 1999?
While those answers won’t come until late September, there are also other questions.
n Buyers or sellers before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline?
The Rangers are more likely to stay pat. Don’t expect moves like the last two Julys: selling last year by trading Mark Teixeira, Eric Gagne and Kenny Lofton; and buying in 2006 by acquiring Carlos Lee.
“I don’t see us trading our future for a rental situation,” Daniels said.
Nor are the Rangers likely to give up players that have proven a good fit, i.e. Milton Bradley, the first-time All-Star who leads the AL with a .440 on-base percentage in his first season with Texas - his sixth team in nine seasons.
Possible contenders will be interested in Bradley, who has an expiring contract. But he may have also finally found a home.
“I’m hard-pressed to think of a scenario that really makes sense for us to talk about (trading Bradley),” Daniels said. “Guys feed off his intensity, feed off his competitive spirit.”
n Can Hamilton, whose majors-best 95 RBI are 25 more than anybody in the AL, keep up his incredible pace?
“I hope so,” Hamilton said, flashing his infectious smile.
Hamilton, hitting .310 with 21 home runs, has already played 93 games, not including his start in the All-Star Game and jaw-dropping Home Run Derby performance.
He played only 90 games last season in his major league debut with Cincinnati. The most games he’s played professionally were 96, in the low minors before being out of the game 3½ seasons because of drug problems.
Asked how he felt, Hamilton responded, “Good enough, 100 percent better than I thought I’d feel at this time.”
n Batting title for Ian Kinsler? Sixth straight 200-hit season for Young?
Kinsler leads the AL with a .337 average and has a 25-game hitting streak, longest in the majors and three shy of the team record. Leading off with three All-Stars following him in the lineup, Kinsler has taken a simple approach.
“I’m not worried about hitting a home run, a double or anything like that. I’m just trying to get on base anyway I can,” said Kinsler, who has 14 homers and 23 stolen bases. “It’s made it easy on me mentally.”
Young, at 31 the oldest in the lineup at times, had a 3-for-42 slump in mid-June. But he had a 23-game hitting streak before and now has a 15-gamer. He’s on pace for 199 hits.
n How many pitchers will Texas use?
Too many, and that is what’s holding back the best-hitting (.283) and highest-scoring (5.6 runs per game) team in the majors.
Texas has used 26 pitchers with 12 different starters, four making their first major league starts. Rangers relievers have thrown a majors-high 352 2/3 innings (nearly four a game).
Vicente Padilla (10-5) went on the disabled list because of neck stiffness after giving up 15 runs in 8 2/3 innings and losing his last two starts before the break. Now all five starters from the original rotation have had DL stints.
n What about Hank Blalock?
The two-time All-Star third baseman is expected to be activated before today’s game in Minnesota and play his first major league game at first base. Blalock has been out since April 25 (torn left hamstring, carpal tunnel syndrome).
Texas hasn’t wavered from its plan to switch Blalock to first, but rookie Chris Davis hit .259 with six home runs and 13 RBI his first 17 games. Ramon Vazquez, who took over at third, is a .310 hitter.
If Blalock shows he’s healthy, he might be traded.
