Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ron Washington

Tidewater Baseball Shrine — 2025 Inductee

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025

1. Ron Washington Marker

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Ron Washington. Tidewater Baseball Shrine — 2025 Inductee. Born April 29, 1952 in New Orleans, La., Washington grew up in New Orleans attending John McDonogh High School. After playing in high school, he attended the Royals Baseball Academy which was created in 1969. Washington was a part of the initial class in 1971 and was one of only 14 players in the short history of the academy to make the majors. After several years in the Royals system, Washington was traded in 1976 to the Los Angeles Dodgers and would make his major league debut with the club during the September call-up period in 1977. , , Washington, a middle infielder most of his career, primarily at the shortstop position, played one season with the Tides. While he was still under contract with the Dodgers organization, he was loaned to the New York Mets in 1979. In his age-27 season with Tidewater, he had a batting average of .264 with 13 doubles, four triples, a home run, and four stolen bases over 83 games. He returned to the Dodgers organization at season's end and was traded to Minnesota in 1980. The New Orleans, LA native got the call to the show in 1981 and remained at the Major League level for most of the rest of his playing career. While he predominantly played for Minnesota, he made several other stops in Baltimore, Cleveland, and Houston. A career .261 hitter, he retired from baseball in 1990. , , Washington returned to Norfolk shortly after his playing career concluded to kick off his illustrious coaching and managerial career. He spent the 1991-1995 seasons in the New York Mets system, including as a coach for the Tides (91, 92, 95). He became an infield and third base coach for the Oakland Athletics in 1996 after his final season in Norfolk. One of Washington's strengths is his ability to develop and teach the art of defense to up-and-coming infielders. While he was in Oakland, Eric Chavez, a former third baseman for the A's, won six straight gold gloves (2001-2006) under the tutelage of Washington. , , His success in Oakland led him to become the manager for the Texas Rangers in 2007. After two losing seasons, he managed the Rangers to an 87-75 (537) record in 2009 and a year later, he led the team to an AL West title and their first postseason appearance since 1999. , , They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees on their way to their first World Series appearance in franchise history in 2010, where they fell in five games to the San Francisco Giants. By winning the AL pennant, Washington became only the third African American manager in history to lead a team to the World Series. The Rangers would return to the fall classic in 2011 under Washington's command but fell short yet again in a memorable seven-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Washington manned the helm for the Rangers for three more seasons, resigning near the end of the 2014 season, walking away with a career 64-61 (521) record with the Rangers. , , As of his induction to the Tidewater Baseball Shrine, Washington is the active manager for the Los Angeles Angels after being hired to the 2024 season.

Born April 29, 1952 in New Orleans, La., Washington grew up in New Orleans attending John McDonogh High School. After playing in high school, he attended the Royals Baseball Academy which was created in 1969. Washington was a part of the initial class in 1971 and was one of only 14 players in the short history of the academy to make the majors. After several years in the Royals system, Washington was traded in 1976 to the Los Angeles Dodgers and would make his major league debut with the club during the September call-up period in 1977.

Washington, a middle infielder most of his career, primarily at the shortstop position, played one season with the Tides. While he was still under contract with the Dodgers organization, he was loaned to the New York Mets in 1979. In his age-27 season with Tidewater, he had a batting average of .264 with 13 doubles, four triples, a home run, and four stolen bases over 83 games. He returned to the Dodgers organization at season's end and was traded to Minnesota in 1980. The New Orleans, LA native got the call to the show in 1981 and remained at the Major League level for most of the rest of his playing career. While he predominantly played for Minnesota, he made several other stops in Baltimore, Cleveland, and Houston. A career .261 hitter, he retired from baseball in 1990.

Washington

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returned to Norfolk shortly after his playing career concluded to kick off his illustrious coaching and managerial career. He spent the 1991-1995 seasons in the New York Mets system, including as a coach for the Tides (91, 92, 95). He became an infield and third base coach for the Oakland Athletics in 1996 after his final season in Norfolk. One of Washington's strengths is his ability to develop and teach the art of defense to up-and-coming infielders. While he was in Oakland, Eric Chavez, a former third baseman for the A's, won six straight gold gloves (2001-2006) under the tutelage of Washington.

His success in Oakland led him to become the manager for the Texas Rangers in 2007. After two losing seasons, he managed the Rangers to an 87-75 (537) record in 2009 and a year later, he led the team to an AL West title and their first postseason appearance since 1999.

They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees on their way to their first World Series appearance in franchise history in 2010, where they fell in five games to the San Francisco Giants. By winning the AL pennant, Washington became only the third African American manager in history to lead a team to the World Series. The Rangers would return to the fall classic in 2011 under Washington's command but fell short yet again in a memorable seven-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Ron Washington Marker

Washington manned the helm for the Rangers for three more seasons, resigning near the end of the 2014 season, walking away with a career 64-61 (521) record with the Rangers.

As of his induction to the Tidewater Baseball Shrine, Washington is the active manager for the Los Angeles Angels after being hired to the 2024 season.

Erected by Norfolk Tides.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.

Location. 36° 50.595′ N, 76° 16.693′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is on Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the main concourse of Harbor Park baseball stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Park Avenue, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Norbert “Norbie” Wilson, Jr (here, next to this marker); Daniel Hudson (here, next to this marker); Clyde “Ducky” Davis (a few steps from this marker); John Zontini (a few steps from this marker); Harold Joseph (Pie) Traynor (a few steps from this marker); Lewis Robert (Hack) Wilson (a few steps from this marker); Raymond Petrie (Ray) White

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(a few steps from this marker); Michael L. (Mike) Vail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding Ron Washington. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area of Virginia.
The shrine is located at Harbor Park, which is home to the Norfolk Tides, a AAA minor league baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.The Norfolk Tides annually induct new members into the shrine.

Also see . . .
1. Ron Washington, One of Baseball’s Favorite Coaches. (Submitted on August 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Ron Washington is at the center of Black baseball. (Submitted on August 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.