Former massive league shortstop U. L. Washington handed away on Sunday on the age of 70 after a battle with most cancers.
“We mourn the lack of Royals Baseball Academy graduate and 1980 American League Champion U. L. Washington and ship our condolences to his household and buddies,” the Royals stated in a press release earlier at this time.
“So sorry to listen to my pal my teammate UL Washington has died of most cancers,” Corridor of Famer George Brett stated in his personal assertion on X final evening. “He was an incredible participant. I’ll all the time be grateful of our time along with the Royals.”
Born in Stringtown, Oklahoma, Washington performed collegiate baseball at Murray State School in Tishomingo, Oklahoma for one yr earlier than being admitted into the Royals Baseball Academy in 1973, which he attended alongside the likes of Frank White and Ron Washington. After spending a number of years within the Kansas Metropolis system, Washington made his massive league debut on the age of 23 in 1977, although he was restricted to a 10-game cup of espresso within the majors that season because the Royals went on to win 102 video games earlier than falling to the Yankees within the ALCS. Washington grew into a bigger utility position with the membership over the following two seasons, batting a mixed .257/.304/.338 whereas enjoying stable protection at each second base and shortstop.
By 1980, Washington had developed into the membership’s on a regular basis shortstop and loved the perfect season of his profession to that time, slashing .276/.336/.375 in 153 video games together with slick fielding. Washington’s first season as a daily noticed the membership attain the World Collection, although they in the end fell to the Phillies in a six-game set. Washington was a key contributor through the membership’s postseason run not solely within the area but additionally on the plate, the place he went 10-for-33. After struggling considerably through the strike-shortened 1981 season, the then-28-year-old returned to type in 1982 with a profession yr that noticed him slash an above-average .286/.337/.412 regardless of lacking a month resulting from damage. Washington got here again right down to Earth over his last two seasons with the Royals, batting simply .233/.294/.310 in a mixed 207 video games regardless of recording a 40-steal season in 1983.
The switch-hitter’s tenure in Kansas Metropolis got here to an finish upon being dealt to the Expos in January 1985 in alternate for a package deal that includes southpaw Mike Kinnunen. Washington performed in a utility capability for the Expos, spending time at shortstop in addition to second and third base whereas slashing .249/.301/.352 in 209 journeys to the plate with the membership. Washington hit free company following the 1985 season, however didn’t signal with a membership till partway by way of the 1986 marketing campaign when he latched on with the Pirates. The then-32-year-old shortstop would end his profession in Pittsburgh, showing in 82 video games over two seasons with the membership.
Washington completed his main league profession with 907 video games below his belt throughout eleven seasons, 757 of which got here as a member of the Royals. A profession .251/.313/.343 hitter, he stole 132 bases and clubbed 166 extra-base hits all through his profession whereas recording 5,864 1/3 innings at shortstop. Although Washington’s enjoying profession within the majors got here to a detailed in 1987, his time within the recreation was removed from over. He started his teaching profession as a supervisor within the Pirates’ system in 1989 earlier than shifting on the act as a hitting coach within the Royals, Dodgers, Twins, and Purple Sox organizations. Throughout his time as a coach, he labored with future stars reminiscent of Tim Wakefield and Mookie Betts.
MLBTR joins the remainder of the baseball world in sending our condolences to Washington’s household, buddies, family members, and former teammates.
