Rangers Manager Washington Dealt "Zero Tolerance" Policy After Cocaine Admission; Admits Amphetamine Use As Player

Surprise, AZ, United States (AHN) – The Texas Rangers reportedly indicated Thursday that there will “zero tolerance going forward” for manager Ron Washington, who admitted Wednesday to using cocaine during the 2009 season.

The “zero tolerance” decision in regards to drug use was made by outgoing Rangers owner Tom Hicks.

Hicks, who became the chairman and owner of the Rangers franchise in June 1998, is in the process of selling the majority share of Hicks Sports Group to a group headed by Chuck Greenberg.

Owner-to-be Greenberg supports Hicks’ decision.

Meanwhile, a day after admitting to using cocaine last summer, the 57-year-old Washington also admitted of using marijuana and amphetamines during his playing career Thursday.

On Wednesday, Washington issued an apology for the one-time mistake he made during the first half of the 2009 season, when he used and tested positive for cocaine.

While in the process of doing numerous one-on-one interviews, Washington, who intended to move forward, also admitted to various news outlets he used drugs as a player.

The Rangers stressed that his revelations about his playing days were not relevant to what happened last summer.

General manager Jon Daniels indicated Thursday that there is a distinction between what people do when they’re young and later in life.

Though honesty does not excuse the behavior, Daniels added that he was not going to punish Washington for being honest.

Before the results of last year’s drug tests came back, Washington alerted the MLB and the Rangers ownership.

At that time, the Rangers reportedly considered a replacement, but decided to retain Washington.

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