OAKLAND — Former Oakland third base coach Ron Washington said the A’s made a huge play in an attempt to keep him in the organization, but ultimately the lure to be within a 75-minute flight of his home in New Orleans led him to leave Oakland to become the Atlanta Braves’ new third base coach.

Washington told this newspaper this morning that A’s executive vice president Billy Beane not only matched the pay the Braves were offering but went further.

“They offered the same money, which was good,” Washington said. “More than that, Billy went further and offered two years.”

Washington, the one-time Texas manager and two-time A’s third base coach, settled for a one-year deal to coach third base under Brian Snitker, who had the “interim” title removed from his managerial title. The coaching position wasn’t the deal Washington was interviewing for, but he’s comfortable with it.

“I thought my interview was good to the point I got that I had the (manager’s) job, no doubt in my mind,” Washington said. “But you never know what the other side is thinking and how it will go. They offered me a different job in the organization.

“They really liked the job Brian Snitker did as their interim guy, which is good. But I felt taking this job was good for me and my family. This is all me and Geri (wife Geraldine) making the decision. It’s important to both of us that I be closer to home. It’s a seven-hour drive and a plane flight of 1:15.

“Getting home from Oakland takes a little longer.”

Washington said he continues to hold Beane, manager Bob Melvin and the rest of the A’s organization in the highest regard and could see himself working for them again in the future “if they want me.

“They always have to want you,” he said. “Words can’t express how I feel about that organization. They have always been great to me. They have always been tremendous.”