Out of Leftfield

It came out today that Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season.

Here’s the story on ESPN.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5003261

This is no small matter. Any drug use in sports, whatever the case, is always something to be concerned about.

It is worth noting, however, that the way Washington handled his situation is perhaps the best I’ve seen anyone handle drug allegations.

When he tested positive, he immediately offered to resign his position.

When Rangers president Nolan Ryan decided that he didn’t have to leave, Washington immediately entered the MLB’s drug rehab program.

Now that he has completed that, he is insisting that the MLB continue to drug test him on a regular basis.

See, THIS is how you handle this sort of thing.

You own up immediately, take responsibility, and then take the necessary steps to correct it.

True, the team waited to release this information, but you have to think that it was for the benefit of the team as a whole, and really, that’s something you have to consider.

It’s not a good idea to bring down the whole organization because of the actions of one individual.

Still, Washington has done all the right things.

You don’t wait until you retire. You don’t wait until it’s convenient for you.

You take your lumps and move on.