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A METRO Salute to Ronald Washington

Section: Community

A METRO Salute to Ronald Washington

An honor presented by Metro Disposal Inc.


METRO Disposal honors Ronald Washington

Manager, Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team
NEW ORLEANS 4/17/09 - Ron Washington was named the 17th full-time manager of the Texas Rangers Major League baseball team on Nov. 6, 2006. Born in New Orleans in 1952, the New Orleans East resident is a graduate of John McDonogh High School Class of 1970, where he played baseball and football. He attended Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, Fla. A victim of Katrina, he and his wife Gerry still reside in their renovated home in New Orleans during the offseason.

"Gone are their proud possessions. Their furniture. Pictures and mementos from their 34-year marriage. The 2003 Gold Glove trophy A's third baseman Eric Chavez presented to Washington. The plaque commemorating the A's record 20-game winning streak in 2002. His prized 1985 steel-top Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Everything.

"I've lived through hurricanes all of my life, but I never thought this would happen," he says. "I figured it would blow some shingles off the roof and blow some windows out, but I never thought I'd come back to find my house 7 feet under water.

"If I had known that, I sure the hell would have gotten that Gold Glove trophy out of there. The plaque, too. That thing was beautiful. And all of the pictures and everything. But you know what? I'm one of the lucky ones. That's all I lost. I still had my health. My job. A way to take care of my family. I didn't lose none of that. But a whole lot of people lost everything, including their pride and dignity . . . (Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY)"

Earlier this past February, Washington returned to his high school alma mater on Ronald Washington Day where he was honored by the school and local dignitaries. Admitting to experiencing butterflies, Washington shared his life story with the students and how his life could serve as an example for them to follow.

The former Desire and St. Bernard public housing resident told The Times-Picayune's John DeShaizer, "I just want to let these kids know that anything that they feel like they can dream about, they can achieve. I'm an example," Washington said. "But I also want them to know that it takes a lot of work, a lot of suffering, a lot of pain, a lot of focus, a lot of attitude, a lot perseverance. It takes a lot to reach the goal that you want to reach, especially in the way that society is today. The other stuff is all worth it when you put in your time, but you've got to put in your time."

Prior to leading the Rangers, Washington served as a coach with the Oakland A's for 11 years. He was the club's third base coach the last 10 seasons after spending one season as the team's first base coach. During his time in Oakland, the A's went to the American League Playoffs five times including an appearance in the American League Championship Series in 2006.

Washington helped Oakland lead the American League in fielding percentage in both 2004 and 2005, and finish second in 2006. Over the last five seasons the A's posted the third-best fielding percentage in the AL (.985). Washington has been credited for developing much of Oakland's young infield talent in the last decade, including six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez, and former MVP and current Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada. In 2004, Chavez expressed his appreciation by giving Washington one of his Gold Glove trophies signed, "Not without you, Wash.

Beginning his coaching career in 1991 in the New York Mets organization, Washington spent two seasons at Triple-A Tidewater before taking over as manager of Capital City (Columbia, SC), the Mets' Class A club in the South Atlantic League. In 1993, he guided the Bombers to a 64-77 record and a 59-76 mark in 1994in 1995, he returned as a coach for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, which had moved to Norfolk.

As a player, Washington appeared in 564 career Major League games, batting .261 with 20 home runs and 146 RBIs while earning a .961 career fielding percentage. He spent all or parts of 10 seasons in the majors with Los Angeles, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cleveland and Houston. He made his debut with the Dodgers in 1977 and, despite hitting .368 in 10 games, did not return to the majors until 1981 with Minnesota. On May 28, 1988, while playing for the Indians, Washington broke up Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Odell Jones' no-hit bid after 8 and 1/3 innings with a pinch-hit single.

In his first full season in the majors, 1982, Washington batted .271 with a career-high five homers and 39 RBIs. Overall, he spent 6 seasons with the Twins, hitting a personal-best .294 for the Twins in 1984, before joining Baltimore in 1987 where he appeared in 26 games. Washington played in 69 games with Cleveland in 1988 and seven games for Houston in 1989 before finishing his professional playing career with Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Rangers organization in 1990.

A true testament to perseverance, Washington was the only kid selected out of 156 kids invited to a tryout for the Royals in 1970.

Metro Disposal Inc. is proud to present Ron Washington

"A Metro Salute!"

Click to learn more about Ron Washington




Excellence Innovation Responsiveness

Metro Disposal Inc. is a family owned full service solid waste management and construction services company celebrating its 25th year of service. Metro was formed in 1982 with one single-axle rear-loading truck by the late Johnnie Woods and his sons and has grown into one of the leading companies in its industry.
Now, welcoming its third generation of leadership, Metro provides a comprehensive line of services that serves residential, commercial, municipal, governmental and industrial clients throughout the Southeastern Region of the United States. Providing exceptionally tailored services in the collection, transfer and disposal of waste; Metro is dedicated to superior service, cost effective solutions and professionalism in all facets of its operations. With a commitment to outstanding leadership, Metro is constantly exploring the most innovative and safest methods this industry has to offer.

Metro Disposal Inc. made history by becoming one of two minority owned companies to manage a major garbage collection contract within the City of New Orleans.

www.MetroDisposalService.com




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Vincent Sylvain
The New Orleans Agenda

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