Former Rangers manager Ron Washington wants to return to baseball

Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington insists he never took baseball for granted. Now, he's hoping the sport rewards his loyalty.

Washington, who abruptly stepped down as the club's skipper during the final month of the season last year after he admitted to cheating on his wife, is offering an impassioned plea to baseball as he prepares to miss his first training camp in 45 years.

"I'm hoping that the game doesn't turn its back on me, because I have a lot to offer, and I want to offer it in any capacity," Washington said from his Louisiana home during a recent interview with Darrell Williams of The Advocate. 

Washington enjoyed a celebrated eight-year run in Texas, leading the club to back-to-back World Series appearances and leaving as the club's all-time winningest manager. Despite his success in the dugout, the 62-year-old Washington says none of the teams he's reached out to this winter have responded.

"My whole presence is just to help, and I have a passion for baseball," Washington said. "So, if that's managing, certainly. If that's as a third base coach, certainly. If it's a roving instructor, wherever the game has to offer, I have something to offer the game."

Perhaps hindering Washington's job search are his previous indiscretions. Before last year's scandal, Washington offered his resignation after admitting to using cocaine during the 2009 season.

"I've never taken this league, this game for granted," he said. "But you have to ask yourself if you did that in some capacity. I hope that I didn't take it for granted, because I always cared about representing. I always cared about continuing to be a professional, and I always cared about people."