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The Rangers are in the middle of a tailspin, having lost each of their last seven games while never holding even a single lead. They've lost 12 of 14 games this month and have seen their playoff odds drop from 95.3-percent on Sept. 1 all the way down to 46.4-percent today according to Cool Standings.
During a radio interview on Tuesday, manager Ron Washington said he is concerned about his job security in the wake of the team's skid. Here's the quote, courtesy of Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
"I'm concerned about my job," Washington said on the Fitzsimmons-Durrett Show. "If that decision is made, it's out of my hands. I hope I've gained credibility for what we've accomplished the past few years. I'm not a finger-pointer. We've all got to take blame for right now four our collapse, if you want to call it that. I'm calling it a slump. I don't really think about that type of stuff. I know at some point in this game of baseball, we all may have to look for another job."
Wilson notes Washington is under contract through 2014 and has the backing of team CEO Nolan Ryan. GM Jon Daniels told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan there "is no substance to" any reports of Washington being on the hot seat and he "fully expects" him to manage the team next season.
Washington, 61, has been the Rangers manager since 2007. They are 601-520 (.536) under his watch and have won two AL pennants. Managers do have a shelf life though, and most don't last eight years like Washington has.
Blowing a wild-card spot in 2013 after blowing the AL West in 2012 and the World Series in 2011 will have people calling for Washington's head after the season, fairly or unfairly.
