Ron Washington Tested Positive for Cocaine in 2009

We've become accustomed to reading stories about failed drug tests in Major League Baseball over the last few years. We haven't been accustomed to stories like this, however.

Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season. The manager confirmed the positive test in an interview with Jon Heyman of SI.com on Tuesday night.

"I did make a mistake and I regret that I did it," Washington told SI.com. "I am really embarrassed and I am really sorry."

Washington spoke with the media at length Wednesday, but the news didn't come as a surprise to the Rangers. After he took a random drug test last season, Washington contacted his bosses as well as the commissioner's office to let them know that there was a good chance he was going to fail the test. He apologized and the Rangers elected not to make a change in the dugout.

Since failing, Washington has passed every subsequent drug test. He's subject to more frequent testing as a result of failing the test and was subject to testing in the first place as a result of a recommendation in the Mitchell Report that managers and other staff be part of the testing process. Those who fail a test or admit drug use are placed in counseling and/or a treatment program by MLB's mandate.

Here is a transcript of the full statement made by Washington Wednesday:

"I am here today to apologize for a huge mistake I made during the first half of the season in 2009.

I am not here to make excuses. There are none.

I am not here to ask for sympathy. That would be asking too much.

I fully understand that I disappointed a lot of people -- my family, my players, coaches, as well as the team's leadership, especially Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels, as well as young people who may have looked up to me.

I am truly sorry for my careless, dangerous, and frankly, stupid, behavior last year.

Clearly, you have never seen me speak from a script before. But this is a time that I need[ed] to get the words exactly right.

Here's the biggest question: how and why did this happen?

That's a question I have had to face in numerous sessions with counselors. I've learned a lot about myself personally, and I recognize that this episode was an attempt to dodge personal anxieties and personal issues I needed to confront.

That was the wrong way to do it. It was self-serving, and believe me, not worth it. I know you will ask, and so here's the answer: this was the one and only time I used this drug.

I made a huge mistake, and it almost caused me to lose everything I have worked for all of my life.

Shortly after I did this, MLB notified me that I would have a routine drug test. Before even taking the test, I notified the league about the drug use. Right after that test, I told Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan about my shameful behavior. I offered them my resignation.

They asked a lot of difficult questions. Remarkably, these two men, after a lot of thought and prayer, allowed me to stay here through last season.

However, they also directed me to immediately begin MLB's drug treatment program, which is a thorough and exhaustive process, and it includes the administration of drug tests at least three times a week.

I am proud to report to you that I have completed that program.

I am not proud to admit this terrible error.

This morning, I talked to our players. I assured them that this will never happen again, and I asked them to forgive me. In the true spirit of a 'team,' they seemed to embrace me not only as a manager but as a human being. I won't let you down again. Please know that I will personally take on the challenge of telling young people my story and my mistake. I don't know what form that will take, but I am committed to do that.

I am hopeful that our fans, both Rangers fans and Major League Baseball fans, will accept this heartfelt and humble attempt to say: I'm so sorry for what I did."