Former Rangers manager admits being untrue to wife

Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since his abrupt resignation Sept. 5, saying that he had been untruthful to his wife of 42 years.

Washington, who did not take questions, said he was at a low point in his life and apologized for breaking the trust of his players, coaches and Major League Baseball. He did not offer any details on the exact nature of how he was untruthful to his wife.

“I was not truthful with my wife after 42 years,” Washington said. “I broke that trust. I’m here today to own that. To apologize to her and to those I disappointed. And those who have trusted me and I let them down.”

“All I ask is for your forgiveness and that you understand,” he said. “And I also ask that you respect our privacy as we go on with our lives. This matter is certainly personal, and we’re trying hard to put it behind us.”

Sitting next to Washington’s wife, Gerry, was lawyer Jason Lewis, who represents investment advisers, hedge funds and litigates other financial cases brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the Department of Justice, the IRS, and state securities agencies and state attorney general offices. He spent nearly four years as an enforcement attorney for the SEC before returning to private practice in 2007.

Messages to Lewis were not returned.

Washington managed the team for the past eight seasons. He’s the club’s all-time winningest manager and led the Rangers to their only World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.

Washington’s resignation caught his team, coaching staff and management off guard. At the time, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and co-owners Bob Simpson and Ray Davis — among the few who actually know the background details that led to Washington’s resignation — declined to say much. All three said it was a personal matter that was best explained by Washington.

For almost two weeks, rumors circulated and speculation mounted, but Washington made no public comments.

Until Thursday, in a ballroom at the Marriott Hotel in Las Colinas, where he addressed about 50 members of the media from a lectern with his wife, Gerry, sitting just off to his right.

Washington said he looked forward to returning to the game “and continuing my career.”

He thanked the Rangers, and Rangers fans during his 3-minute, 30-second statement.

“The Rangers gave me a home and I’m thankful for that. But I also thank them for the experience, to have the opportunity to manage here in Texas,” he said. “I want to give one final thanks to the fans, the Texas Rangers fans. You’ve been good to me. And I will miss the Metroplex and I will miss you.”

This story was originally published September 18, 2014 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Former Rangers manager admits being untrue to wife."