Angels Manager Ron Washington Implements Cell Phone Ban in Clubhouse

There’s a new kind of silence in the Los Angeles Angels’ clubhouse, and it’s not just about focus—it’s about no phones allowed. Manager Ron Washington is bringing back one of his old-school moves from his days with the Texas Rangers, banning cell phone use in the clubhouse during spring training and planning to enforce it for the entire season.

Washington’s zero-tolerance rule extends beyond the immediate clubhouse. "Now the rules have extended to the outside of the clubhouse," he said, according to The Athletic. "Right now, they are in the hallways in here (right outside of the team’s clubhouse). Now it’s going to be completely out of the goddamn clubhouse (building)." Yes, he means business.

Back when he managed the Rangers from 2007 to 2014, Washington had a similar policy, empowering team leaders to enforce the rule and even slapping a $500 fine on violators. For the Angels, veterans Mike Trout and Kyle Hendricks have been handed the responsibility of making sure everyone complies. While the fine amount is still up for debate, Washington seems pretty set on sticking to that $500 figure.

"That clubhouse is for the veterans on this team to run it the way they want to run it," Washington explained. "We just dropped what we would like to have happen (with cellphones) and we want them to make certain it happens inside the clubhouse." The ban applies to everyone, including Washington himself, as he believes it’s about maintaining focus, not punishment. "It is not punishment; I just want some focus," he clarified.

It’s a bold move in today’s hyper-connected world, but Washington seems to be betting on the benefits of unplugging. Whether it leads to a tighter, more focused team dynamic remains to be seen, but it’s certainly an interesting experiment in the MLB.