Does Texas Rangers' Manager Ron Washington Get Enough Credit?

When they were first alerted to his unprecedented cocaine use just after the 2009 All-Star break, I thought Texas Rangers' management should have fired manager Ron Washington on the spot. You know what? I still think that.

But by the time the public became aware of his transgression - at the start of spring training in February - it was too late. The season was about to begin. A division was about to be won.

Neither team president Nolan Ryan nor a dorky sportswriter from Dallas are surprised by the Rangers' success. I figured Texas would win the West despite Washington being on a short leash this season. Maybe he was. Who knows? Because after their torrid 11-game winning streak in June the Rangers have been on cruise control.

Read Richie's full Sportatorium blog at DallasObserver.com.