Claudell Washington
Claudell Washington | |
---|---|
Outfielder | |
Born: Los Angeles, California, U.S. | August 31, 1954|
Died: June 10, 2020 Orinda, California, U.S. | (aged 65)|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
July 5, 1974, for the Oakland Athletics | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 18, 1990, for the New York Yankees | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .278 |
Home runs | 164 |
Runs batted in | 824 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Claudell Washington (August 31, 1954 – June 10, 2020) was an American
Washington was signed as an
Early life
Washington was born in
Professional baseball career
Washington was one of the youngest All-Stars in major league history when he was named to the 1975 American League (AL) All-Star team at the age of 20. He finished fifth in the AL in batting average with a mark of .308 and second in stolen bases with a total of 40. Prior to the 1977 season, Washington was traded to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Rodney Scott and left-handed pitcher Jim Umbarger.[3]
Washington was dealt along with Rusty Torres from the Rangers to the Chicago White Sox for Bobby Bonds on May 16, 1978.[4] After struggling in 1978, both before and after the trade, Washington bounced back with a solid 1979 campaign. He was traded once again midway through the following season to the New York Mets for a minor leaguer.[5]
Speed was Washington's ally, but he was also capable of showing outbursts of power. On July 14, 1979, while playing for the Chicago White Sox, Washington hit three home runs in one game.[6] He repeated this feat on June 22, 1980, while playing for the New York Mets.[7] He became the third player to hit three home runs in a game in both the AL and the National League (NL), after Babe Ruth and Johnny Mize.[8]
Washington became a free agent after the 1980 season, and signed with the Atlanta Braves before the 1981 season. Washington spent the next five and a half seasons with the Braves, and was named NL Player of the Month in September, 1982, and was named to the All-Star team again in 1984.[5]
In 1985, Washington was among a number of players caught up in the Pittsburgh drug trials scandal. In 1986, he was given a 60-day suspension but was allowed to continue playing if he donated five percent of his base salary and contributed 50 hours of drug-related community service.[8][9]
Washington was traded in June 1986, from the Braves to the New York Yankees, along with
Washington was eventually released by the Yankees, and retired following the 1990 season. He finished his career with 164 home runs, 824 RBI, 312 stolen bases and a lifetime batting average of .278.[5]
Washington struck out 39 times against pitcher Nolan Ryan, more times than any other batter.[10]
Death
Washington died on June 10, 2020, at a hospital in the East Bay.[2] He was 65, and had been suffering from prostate cancer since 2017.[1] He chose to stop treatment the following year.[8][9]
In popular culture
Game footage of Washington with Atlanta appears in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In the film, Washington hits a foul ball at a Cubs game which is caught by the film's title character, who was supposedly sick at home from school. The footage was taken from a game played on June 5, 1985.[1][11]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Kepner, Tyler (June 10, 2020). "Claudell Washington, a Rookie Baseball Sensation at 19, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Slusser, Susan (June 10, 2020). "Former A's outfielder Claudell Washington dies at 65". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ As trade Washington to Texas
- ^ Rogers, Thomas. "Yankees Win, 8‐3; Holtzman Is Victor," The New York Times, Wednesday, May 17, 1978. Retrieved June 7, 2020
- ^ a b c d "Claudell Washington Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ "July 14, 1979 Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 14, 1979. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ "June 22, 1980 New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 22, 1980. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ a b c Becker, Jon (June 10, 2020). "Ex-A's star Claudell Washington of Berkeley dead at 65". The Mercury News. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ a b "Two-time All-Star Washington dead at 65". The Sports Network. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ Chass, Murray. "BASEBALL; For the Strikeout King, A Sure Hall of Fame Hit", The New York Times (January 4, 1999).
- ^ Swartz, Tracy (June 5, 2015). "Ferris Bueller took his day off 30 years ago today". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Claudell Washington