RIP UL Washington

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Sad news. He was part of the great Royals teams from the 70's and 80's before free agency. Loved him with his toothpick. Much to young. RIP UL, you were a Royal great!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...4dcab495&ei=15

[WilliamTheIrish]

Picking nits here but UL was in MLB service after free agency began. Catfish Hunter was the 1st. In 74. Although Hunter owes it all Curt Flood.


Anway, UL was on base when George hit the pine tar HR in NY. He was also a very friendly guy. On Fan Appreciation Day, because Brett took most of the crowd (until they would usher him away) UL was always a guy who would chat you up.

Seems like that the 3rd or 4th player/coach on those Royals division championship squads that has succumbed to cancer. (Quiz, Howser)That Monsanto built turf was in KC, STL and Philly.

And several of the 70's/80's Phillies died early as well. Most of the Phills had glioblastoma. Which is a rather eye opening twist of fate.

I don't have any hard evidence to back that up, but it is an interesting coincidence.

[HemiEd]

Well that is some sad news! Watched him his entire Royals career. RIP UL!

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Picking nits here but UL was in MLB service after free agency began. Catfish Hunter was the 1st. In 74. Although Hunter owes it all Curt Flood.


Anway, UL was on base when George hit the pine tar HR in NY. He was also a very friendly guy. On Fan Appreciation Day, because Brett took most of the crowd (until they would usher him away) UL was always a guy who would chat you up.

Seems like that the 3rd or 4th player/coach on those Royals division championship squads that has succumbed to cancer. (Quiz, Howser)That Monsanto built turf was in KC, STL and Philly.

And several of the 70's/80's Phillies died early as well. Most of the Phills had glioblastoma. Which is a rather eye opening twist of fate.

I don't have any hard evidence to back that up, but it is an interesting coincidence.

Free Agency was available, but it was quite infrequent compared to todays game. The Royals were able to keep the core of their lineup together for 5-6 years. That's impossible today. That is weird about the Phillies, my Brother died of Glioblastoma and their is no real known cause for it. Also, Dick Howser died of Glioblastoma. **** Cancer.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by Ocotillo

From Baseball Reference

He is best remembered for his always present toothpick. UL always played with a blade of Bermuda grass in his mouth in high school. He kept up the habit in the minor leagues. Kansas City had artificial turf, so the toothpick was his adaptation to not having a blade of grass available.

Originally Posted by Ocotillo

Other interesting tidbits from Baseball Reference Bullpen:

Washington came out of the Royals Baseball Academy.

He went a career 12-for-18 off Gaylord Perry.

Born Oct. 27, 1953, in Stringtown, Okla., U L Washington – the “U” and the “L” did not stand for other names but rather were his given identification; a relative shared the same name – starred in basketball and baseball in high school but went undrafted when his class graduated in 1971.

[MavKC]

Originally Posted by redfan

I remember his walk-up graphic on the old Royals scoreboard: A toothpick on two moving train wheels with smoke coming out of a train smokestack.

RIP Royals infielder.

"The Toothpick Express"



I always loved that graphic.

[R Clark]

RIP