SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants manager Tony Vitello developed a reputation as a master recruiter during his eight-year run as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee. Ron Washington can confirm that those skills are as advertised.
When Vitello was thinking about possible additions to his new coaching staff, he wanted to find someone who could bring significant Major League clout and help serve as a guardrail for his own inexperience. He decided to reach out to the 73-year-old Washington, who saw his managerial tenure with the Angels come to end after he underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery last June 30.
“[Vitello] called me, and to be honest with you, he's a heck of a recruiter,” Washington said on Sunday. “He never mentioned about me coming on as one of his coaches. We just had an affair. We talked on the phone. He called me every afternoon, and then he sent me a text and decided to fly me out to Nashville for lunch. So I went out there and had lunch with him, and he continued to call me for a few more days. The Monday after Thanksgiving, Zack [Minasian] got in touch with me and offered me a contract.”
Accepting the offer was an easy call for Washington, who is back on his feet and fully embracing the opportunity to return for his 56th Spring Training. The former Rangers and Angels skipper will serve as the Giants’ Major League infield coach this year, giving him a chance to do what he does best and continue working in the game he loves.
“I never thought about not being in the game after those health challenges,” Washington said. “The only way I wouldn't have been in the game is if the health challenges would have made that a fact. But it was left up to me. Once it was left up to me, you look at me. I'm right here.”
Washington had to make some lifestyle changes following his heart surgery last year, but he’s been rebuilding his strength and is planning to take on the full 162-game travel schedule once the regular season begins.
“It's been a happy time because I've gotten my strength to the point where I can come out here and do what I do,” Washington said. “That was my intention. It'll get better as the year goes along. It's not going to get worse. I'm in the mode of a player right now. I'm just going to get better as the year goes along because I'm really doing good health-wise. I really am.”
Vitello asked Washington to share a few words before the Giants’ first full-squad workout of the spring on Sunday, so the longtime infield guru told players that he expected everyone to wake up in the morning with three things on their mind.
“Ready to listen, ready to learn and ready to apply,” Washington said. “Without those three things, you can't get anything done. That was my message. But Tony did an incredible job in there this morning. He put me out there and told me to say something, so I said something, but I didn't need to say anything, because he took care of everything.”
The Giants will be counting on Washington to lend his defensive expertise to their infield, which features third baseman Matt Chapman, shortstop Willy Adames, second baseman Luis Arraez and first basemen Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge.
Arraez could be among the biggest beneficiaries of Washington’s instruction, as he’s graded out as the worst defensive second baseman in the league in recent years. Washington is already working closely with Arraez, who is hungry to improve and show that he can still play his natural position in the Majors.
“He's an athlete, and he wants it,” Washington said. “That's the key. He wants it. I'm not bragging on myself, but I do more than just go between them lines and physically make them catch balls. We talk about the mentality of it, talk about the feeling of it. Everything it takes to just be on the field. We talk about all of that. The physical part we're going to do every day. He will get everything he needs to be a good second baseman. How good he will be? He will answer that question, but I do know he will get the work he needs to become that.”
Washington has also liked what he’s seen from Devers and Eldridge, both of whom are still relatively new to first base.
“Very impressive,” Washington said. “It’s hard to predict baseball, but I do know that they’re getting the work they need to get. They’re adjusting to it and they’re showing improvement out there.”