Yesterday’s rock action in Austin meant I was neglecting the CSTB beat (well, even more than usual) and as such, there was no mention in this space of Texas manager Ron Washington (above) testing positive for cocaine during the summer of 2009. I’ll refrain from George W. or Josh Hamilton jokes except to say I’d like to see you try to get thru an entire summer in Arlington, TX without the benefit of Class A drugs. The Star-Telegram’s’ Randy Galloway, however, takes an entirely different tact (“age 57? First time ever? Just a snort out of the blue? OK”), revealing Washington’s secret was almost exposed far earlier by someone who apparently has Jon Heyman‘s telephone number (link courtesy Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)
A team employee, fired after the season, had all the details. He also had a list of demands for the club, which if not met would mean the Ron-does-dope story would suddenly become national news.
Some of his demands were met, but the club balked at personally giving this person a glowing letter of recommendation and also refused at least one other item. By January, word leaked that the former employee was bad-mouthing Washington around north Arlington.
Blackmailer was real unhappy, but all was still quiet as spring training opened in Arizona nearly four weeks ago. Then this week, Washington received a call from a national baseball writer saying he had the Ron-does-dope details.
It’s uncertain if this is how the blackmailer made good on his threat to disgrace Washington and embarrass the ballclub, but I’d definitely wager that way.