Former Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington remains an incredibly respected piece of the team's 2021 World Series run. Washington brought a level of intensity that helped balance out former manager Brian Snitker's more player-friendly, relaxed approach. It was clear that Washington loved his job and took pride in making his players better. This brought an energy that was felt in the dugout and helped push Atlanta to the heights it would reach during his tenure. However, it seems that Washington did a good enough job to earn a managerial role with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Braves have been without Washington for each of the last two seasons, and the loss was felt. However, the team won't be able to come together for a reunion after the Angels parted ways with Washington, who has already signed with the San Francisco Giants in a coaching role.
It is yet another fumble by an Atlanta front office that had the perfect opportunity to bring in an important leader. Washington working with infielders before games and helping add energy to the dugout are skill sets that the Braves are so obviously missing. Washington should've been brought back to Atlanta, but instead, will be helping a National League contender.
Former Braves 3B Coach Ron Washington Finds New Role with Giants
Washington joins the Giants in an infield coaching role, one that the Braves could've badly used the former leader in. It is fair to wonder if Atlanta's new manager, Walt Weiss, simply didn't want an established threat to him on the staff so early in his tenure. It isn't a secret that the Atlanta fan base has been tepid about the hiring of Weiss, with an addition from Snitker's staff inviting obvious questions after a dumpster fire of a 2025 season.
If there is one thing that would've appeased fan concerns, it would have been a reunion with Washington. Something that is now clearly off the table as Atlanta continues what has been a quiet 2025-26 offseason thus far. The only noteworthy moves for the Braves have been in the bullpen, with the rest of Atlanta's moves not being relatively minor additions or subtractions to the roster.
For Washington, it is great to see the former Brave finding a new landing spot after being set up for failure with a bad Angels roster. There wasn't a winning path for the manager who was given underwhelming pitching and an inconsistent lineup. With this in mind, it is great to see the coach continue to return to the league despite being well into his 70s.
While it is great for Washington, it remains a frustration for the Braves, who simply cannot get out of their own way when it comes to losing key pieces.