Manager Tested Positive for Cocaine Last Season

[Blue_Tires]

The drug test given to Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington last season that revealed the presence of cocaine was part of a testing program that managers, coaches and clubhouse personnel have been subjected to since shortly after the Mitchell report was released in December 2007.

The testing program was added to existing regimens under which Major League Baseball randomly tested minor leaguers, front-office officials and even umpires for recreational drugs. Commissioner Bud Selig adopted the additional testing in response to recommendations in the Mitchell report, which studied the history of drug use in baseball.

Until now, that history did not include a manager being identified as testing positive for cocaine. But SI.com disclosed on Wednesday that Washington, the Rangers’ manager for the past three seasons, tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season. The article said Washington called the commissioner’s office shortly after he was given the drug test to warn that he might fail it.

“I’m not here to make excuses,” Washington said at a news conference Wednesday at the Rangers’ spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz. “I’m not here for sympathy. That would be asking too much. I’m truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and, frankly, stupid behavior.”

As a result of his positive test, Washington was referred to counseling and given more frequent tests, all of which have been negative. The Rangers ultimately decided to retain him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/sports/baseball/18texas.html