Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he made a "huge mistake" when he used cocaine and failed a Major League Baseball drug test last season.

In his first public acknowledgment, Washington apologized yesterday for his behavior, eight months after he told Rangers president Nolan Ryan, who turned down the manager's offer to resign.

"I made a huge mistake and it almost caused me to lose everything I have worked for all of my life," Washington said at a news conference yesterday. "I am not here to make excuses. There are none."

Washington said he used cocaine only once and called it "stupid" and "shameful."

The failed test first was reported by SI.com.

Washington, 57, said he told the commissioner's office and Rangers officials about using cocaine before he had a routine drug test.

"He came forward and said he would resign," Ryan said. "He understood the consequences. We had a lot of discussions and a lot of soul-searching on it."

ELSEWHERE

Football: The Arizona Cardinals have come to terms on a two-year contract with free agent quarterback Derek Anderson.

Anderson will compete with Matt Leinart, the only quarterback the team has under contract.

Anderson was released by Cleveland on March 9.

• Free-agent quarterback Rex Grossman signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins.

Grossman spent last season with the Houston Texans, where he worked with new Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Baseball: Seattle pitcher Cliff Lee was suspended for the first five games of the regular season for throwing over the head of a hitter, possibly delaying his highly anticipated debut with the Mariners.

The former AL Cy Young winner was ejected from Monday's exhibition game against Arizona after throwing inside to Chris Snyder, then zipping a fastball over his helmet.

Basketball: Seton Hall basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez has been fired.

In four years, the fiery Gonzalez was 66-59, including a 29-45 mark in Big East games.