Former Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop U.L. Washington – famous for playing with a toothpick – dies aged 70 after battle with cancer
- He tried out for the Royals in 1977 thanks to his brother, who worked for the team
- Washington worked with Mookie Betts in the minor leagues and improved his swing
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UL Washington – a former shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos – has died of cancer at the age of 70.
Washington, who died Sunday, known for playing with a toothpick in his mouth, joined the Royals — his first MLB team — in 1977 after successfully trying out for the team. His older brother, James, who ushered in Royals games, had convinced Lou Gorman, then Kansas City’s general manager, to give Washington a chance.
To this day, Washington is one of only three MLB players, along with Ron Washington (no relation) and Frank White, to have been products of the Royals Academy.
His best offensive season in Kansas City came in 1982, when he hit .286 with 10 home runs and 60 RBIs – all career highs.
Washington played first base and scored on George Brett’s pine tar home run in 1983. In his eight seasons with the Royals, Washington hit .254 with 26 home runs and 228 RBIs.
Ex-Royals star UL Washington died Sunday — 42 years after he was part of Kansas City’s 1980 World Series team
Known for playing with a toothpick in his mouth, Washington helped the Royals to their first AL pennant
He played in four postseason series with the Royals – the 1980 ALCS, the 1980 World Series, the 1981 ALDS and the 1984 ALCS – and went 12-for-43 (.279 overall). Kansas City lost to the Phillies in six games in the 1980 World Series.
In 1985, Washington was traded to the Expos for pitcher Mike Kinunnen and Ken Baker – an outfielder in the minor leagues. He played in 68 games for the Expos as a utility infielder, hitting .249 with one home run in 17 RBIs.
After becoming a free agent in the fall of the same year, he joined Montreal, Washington signed with the Pirates in April 1986.
Washington earned a roster spot with the Royals after trying out for the team in 1977
Washington worked for several minor league organizations of MLB teams, including the Boston Red Sox’s (2013–2014) in his post-playing career
During his two seasons in Pittsburgh, he played a total of 82 games, hitting .207 with no home runs and ten RBIs, again in a utility infielder role. He was released by the Pirates in October 1987.
“I’m not going back to the minors, but I haven’t said I’m officially retired. If someone called and said he wanted me to play in the majors, I would go. I was in the majors for nine straight years, so going back to the minors was the hardest part of the last two years for me. At my age it got to the point where I had to fight the pain here and there every time. I really admire the guys who play until they’re 40,” Washington said at the start of the 1988 season.
In his post-playing career, Washington worked for various minor league organizations with the Royals (1991-2009), LA Dodgers (1999), Minnesota Twins (2001-02) and Boston Red Sox (2013-14).
Working for the Greenville Drive in 2013, Washington advised Mookie Betts’ on his batting form, helping him change his swing to become more of a power hitter.