TISHOMINGO, Okla. – Former Murray State College and Major League Baseball Player, UL Washington, passed away earlier this week at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer.   

Washington grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Stringtown High School before attending Murray State College in 1971. After playing one season at Murray State College, Washington signed with the Kansas City Royals as an amateur free agent.

Washington made his Major League Baseball debut with the Royals in 1977 and his first full-time season with the club was the following year in 1978. Washington played 11 Major League seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The former Murray State Aggie's best season came in 1980 when he recorded 150 hits to help lead the Royals to their first World Series appearance.

Three years later, Washington was the runner on first base that scored on George Brett's famous "pine tar" home run.

However, what many fans remember most about Washington was what was in his mouth during games - a toothpick. "I'd much rather be remembered as a pretty good player, but I realize most people will remember me as the guy with the toothpick," Washington told the Oklahoman in 1988. "I feel I've had a pretty good career, especially looking back at how I got into professional baseball."

It was a nontraditional path to the majors for the former Aggie. The Society for American Baseball Research noted that following graduation at Murray State College, he got a tryout thanks to his brother James, who was an usher at Kansas City Royals games. Washington had a workout at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City and another in Florida before he signed with the team and went to the Royals Academy in Sarasota.

After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1987, Washington embarked on a career as an MLB hitting coach/hitting instructor for several MLB franchises. His most notable coaching stint was with the Boston Red Sox from 2003-14, an era in which the storied franchise won three World Championship titles.

Washington was inducted into the Murray State College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.


Sports Information Director: Justin Wagner | jgwagner@mscok.edu
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