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Ron Washington was still passionate about the game as losses kept piling up during an injury-plagued season for the Texas Rangers. With a revolving roster filled with so many young players who had never been in the big leagues, Washington kept teaching -- youngsters and veterans alike -- to help them be better now and in the future. The eighth-year manager, who led Texas to its only two World Series, already was looking forward to 2015. And the Rangers were planning for their winningest manager to be back. But the 62-year-old Washington abruptly resigned Friday for what he termed an "off-the-field personal matter." His statement provided few answers, and general manager Jon Daniels cited Washingtons privacy while not getting too detailed. In a text to The Associated Press, similar to the message he sent several people, Washington said he will be fine and just needed some time. He again offered no specifics about his unexpected resignation, but strongly indicated his absence from baseball wouldnt be permanent. "Ill get back in the Game!," he finished his text. "He means a lot. Thats why for sure its going to be hard for me that hes not going to be here anymore," said Elvis Andrus, the 26-year-old sixth-year shortstop whose 896 games played for Washington were more than any other player. Washington described in his statement Friday how painful the decision was, but said it was not because of the teams losing season. He did give Daniels permission to say at a news conference that the move "was not drug-related." Team executives stood by him during spring training in 2010, when it was disclosed that Washington had admitted to using cocaine once the previous year. The manager got another two-year contract extension in 2012, and before this season got another year through 2015. Now Wash is gone. "Its kind of like being traded. Weve got a new manager," said lefty Derek Holland, who just this week made his season debut. "The main thing is Im thankful for having Wash around ... for what hes taught me, both on and off the field." The Rangers played more than 162 games each of the past four years. After their two American League pennants (2010-11), they lost the ALs first one-and-done wild card game to Baltimore in 2012, and last season lost wild-card tiebreaker at home to Tampa Bay. But 2014 has been marked by all the injuries, including a majors-high 14 players current on the disabled list. That includes main off-season acquisitions Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo, ace pitcher Yu Darvish and left-handed starters Matt Harrison and Martin Perez. The Rangers have set big league records using 40 pitchers and 63 players. There have been 22 rookies, 15 of them making their major-league debuts -- two pitchers doing so in Washingtons last game Thursday night, a loss that made Texas (53-87 then) the first team mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. "Unbelievable. I dont think any team can have a season like this in any way," third baseman Adrian Beltre said. "Injuries, changes, all the bad things that happened this year. I never remember any team going through this and I hope it will be the last one for anybody. Because it hasnt been fun." First-year Rangers bench Tim Bogar, who had played for Washington in the minors, was named the interim coach for the rest of this season. He will also be a viable candidate when Daniels begins his search to replace the first manager he hired. "We havent gotten that far," Daniels said. "This is pretty fresh as far as where we are in the situation and how things have come down, but ultimately were going to make a long-term choices based on whats best for the organization and club moving forward." Custom Uniforms Outlet . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. Cheap Custom Wear . It was well worth the wait. Manning and the Denver Broncos waited eight long months, then another 33 minutes to get the season started because of a lightning storm. http://www.customjerseysnearme.com/custom-high-school-jerseys-216h.html . The kind he has every so often. The kind he has when Dwyane Wade sits. James scored 43 points -- 25 in a bewildering first-quarter shooting display -- and Chris Bosh added 21, leading the Miami Heat to a 100-96 win Tuesday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who played their first game without injured All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Custom Football Jerseys . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Authentic Custom Jerseys . Bryant underwent an operation in December to correct an irregular heartbeat. His season ended with four games left because of a rapid heartbeat, a condition he has known about for several years and had been treated for in the past.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Following Staffords rookie season in 2007, the Sabres lost co-captains Chris Drury and Danny Briere to free agency. Last year, long-time coach Lindy Ruff was fired. What occurred during a 24-hour stretch this weekend has become the topper, leaving Stafford shaking his head in disbelief after returning to practice Sunday. "I thought I had seen it all," Stafford said. "But, I guess, theres always room for more surprises. And this ones definitely a shocker." On Friday, Stafford had difficulty keeping his emotions in check after star goalie Ryan Miller was traded to St. Louis. A day later, he was blindsided upon learning of Pat LaFontaines abrupt resignation as president of hockey operations. "Its tough," Stafford said. "Its another challenge, a little more adversity that youve got to put on top of the pile." As if the Sabres (18-34-8) needed any more distractions during a season in which upheaval and dysfunction have been common threads for the NHLs last-place team. At 2-13-1, Buffalo got off to its worst start in team history. Leading scorer Thomas Vanek was traded to the Islanders in October. The Sabres opened 0-8-1 at home, before enjoying their first win on Nov. 12. Three days later, general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were fired. Now this. Miller getting dealt along with captain Steve Ott, were widely anticipated moves because both were in the final years of their contracts. LaFontaines departure was a surprise, coming a little more than three months after his arrival was hailed as a positive turning point for a struggling team. "Its a lot for our fans to swallow in a short amount of time," Sabres president Ted Black said. "It creates uncertainty. And its something that fans are going to be upset by." Black failed to divulge any further details regarding the resignation except to reiterate LaFontaine wanted to resume his previous role working with the National Hockey League. Black called the resignation a disappointment, but denied speculation that there had been any discord between LaFontaine and front-office staff or owner Terry Pegula. LaFontaine has not returned messages, and on Sunday, his cell-phone mailbox was full. Whats clear is that his departure marks the latest setback for a franchise that has had difficulty establishing a winning course in the three years since Pegula bought the team and vowed to build an immediate contender.dddddddddddd The Sabres are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a third straight season, and in the midst of a rebuilding plan that began with the purge of numerous high-priced veterans last year. Black said the objective has not changed, and the teams transformation will continue under general manager Tim Murray. "Pat was here for three months. It is one person," Black said. "I dont know if that impacts the greater mission or will deter us." Murray was hired by LaFontaine in January, and now assumes much of his former bosss responsibilities. It was Murray, who negotiated the Miller trade. And he is also fielding offers to make further deals before the leagues trade deadline on Wednesday. Next on Murrays priority list is negotiating a contract extension with interim coach Ted Nolan, who was brought in by LaFontaine for a second stint in Buffalo. "We want Teddy to be our coach going forward," Murray said. "If he wants to be here, I want him to be our coach." The question is whether Nolan wants to stay, something he left open following practice Sunday. "Right now, its not about my contract. Its about the situation thats happening," Nolan said. "Its about whats transpired in this organization, what happened to a very dear friend. And well leave it at that." So much for the momentum the Sabres were supposed to be enjoying with their first three-game winning streak in preparing to play Dallas on Monday. "We traded our franchise player, we traded our captain. Thats tough enough as it is. And then all of a sudden the situation with Patty," Nolan said. "Right now, I have to put my personal situation behind right now and really concentrate on those 22 guys here." Informed of Nolans comments, Murray said, "Im not going to beg anybody to come work here." Murray said its his objective to continue rebuilding the Sabres, which is what he was hired to do with or without LaFontaine. "I cant make choices for him. He makes his own choices," Murray said. "Im not one to dwell on what-ifs and sentiment and all that. But Ill forever be grateful that he hired me." 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