U L Washington – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

U.L. Washington put together a solid 11-year run in Major League Baseball, mostly as a shortstop, playing for three teams between 1977 and 1987. He grew up in Stringtown, Oklahoma, and fans remember him for his steady glove and the trademark toothpick he always had in his mouth. Washington wrapped up his professional baseball career after the 1987 season, finishing with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a .251 batting average over 907 games.

Washington’s path to the majors didn’t follow the usual script. He came up through the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy, making him one of just three players to reach the big leagues from that program.

He spent most of his career with the Royals, from 1977 to 1984, where he became a reliable infielder and played in four postseasons. His best year at the plate was 1982—he hit .286 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs.

After his time with Kansas City, Washington played a season with the Montreal Expos in 1985. He then finished up with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a utility guy for two years.

When he retired, he moved into coaching and managing in the minors, working with different organizations for more than twenty years. Washington’s story is really about the ups and downs of a journeyman player who made his mark with consistency and professionalism, not flashy numbers.

Early Life and Background

U.L. Washington was born October 27, 1953, in Stringtown, Oklahoma. He was one of 11 kids in a big family.

His name, just the letters “U” and “L,” wasn’t short for anything—it was his legal name. Washington’s journey to pro baseball started in rural Oklahoma. He went to local schools before heading to Murray State College for higher education and sports.

Family and Upbringing in Stringtown, Oklahoma

Washington grew up surrounded by his ten siblings in Stringtown. His parents, Ora Lee and George Washington Jr., raised their kids in this small Oklahoma community.

The family atmosphere played a huge role in his baseball development. His older brother James helped launch his career by convincing Royals general manager Lou Gorman to give U.L. a tryout.

People noticed Washington’s unusual first name all his life. “U” and “L” weren’t initials—they were his real names. That made him stand out, both on the diamond and off.

Education and High School Athletics

Washington went to Stringtown High School and graduated in 1971. Those years shaped his early life and set him up for what came next.

He honed his baseball skills in the small-town Oklahoma setting. The close-knit community gave him chances to shine in sports and stay connected to his roots.

Graduating in 1971 opened the door for college and more baseball. The foundation he built in high school proved crucial for his next steps.

College Baseball at Murray State College

After high school, Washington enrolled at Murray State College nearby. He played on the Murray State Aggies baseball team for just one year.

That brief college stint mattered, though. It exposed him to tougher competition and helped him sharpen his skills in the infield.

Washington left Murray State after one year when his brother James landed him a tryout with the Kansas City Royals’ Baseball Academy. That opportunity changed everything.

Path to the Majors

U.L. Washington didn’t take the usual college baseball route to the majors. Instead, he went through the Royals Baseball Academy, an innovative system that turned raw athletes into ballplayers through intense training.

Admission to Royals Academy

Washington got his shot at pro baseball thanks to family, not scouts. His brother James, who worked as an usher at Royals games, talked GM Lou Gorman into giving U.L. a tryout.

Washington made a six-hour bus trip from Stringtown to Kansas City for his audition. He didn’t have much formal baseball experience, but he impressed scouts with hustle and grit. “I shagged balls or busted my tail to catch foul balls nobody else chased,” Washington remembered. “They could tell I wanted to play more than my ability showed.”

Scout Buzzy Keller signed Washington on August 4, 1972, and sent him to the Royals Baseball Academy in Sarasota, Florida. The Academy was an experiment in player development, and honestly, it was ahead of its time.

The Academy closed just a year after Washington arrived, but the non-stop training there made a huge difference. “I really didn’t know what I was getting into,” he said. “But I never would have known so much about the game if I hadn’t gone there. It was work, work, work.”

Development and Minor League Progression

Washington started his pro career with the Kingsport Royals in 1973. He switched from his preferred position to shortstop.

That Kingsport team dominated the Appalachian League, finishing 53-17. Washington batted .283, drove in 51 runs, and made the All-Star team.

He moved up through the Kansas City system, playing in 1974 for the San Jose Bees in the California League. That team set a league record with 372 stolen bases. Washington stole 34 in 68 games and then got promoted to Double-A Jacksonville.

Triple-A with the Omaha Royals in 1975 and 1976 wasn’t easy. He struggled with advanced pitching, especially sliders, and struck out 145 times in 1975. A broken fibula in 1976 sidelined him for most of that year.

He broke through in 1977, batting .255 with 10 triples and 39 steals for Omaha. That helped the team erase a 10-game deficit to win the division. Kansas City called him up in September, and he made his major league debut on September 6, 1977.

MLB Career Overview

U L Washington played 11 seasons in the majors from 1977 to 1987, appearing in 907 games and batting .251. He spent most of his time with the Kansas City Royals, then had short runs with the Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kansas City Royals (1977–1984) Tenure

Washington broke into the big leagues with the Royals in 1977 at age 23. He stuck around for eight seasons, becoming their main shortstop.

His breakout came in 1980—he played 153 games, hit .273, collected 150 hits, and scored 79 runs. He also swiped 20 bases and posted his best WAR at 2.3.

In 1982, he had another strong year, batting .286 with 125 hits, 10 homers, and 60 RBIs in 119 games. He also stole 23 bases.

Key Royals Statistics:

• Games: 757 over 8 seasons
• Batting Average: .254
• Hits: 625
• Stolen Bases: 120

People started calling him “Toothpick Slick” because he always played with a toothpick in his mouth. It became his thing in Kansas City.

Montreal Expos Season (1985)

Washington joined the Montreal Expos in 1985. He played 68 games and hit .249 with 48 hits.

Switching to the National League was a new challenge. Washington played both second base and shortstop for Montreal.

He scored 24 runs, drove in 17, and stole 6 bases that season. His veteran presence added depth to the Expos’ infield.

Pittsburgh Pirates and Final Playing Years

Washington wrapped up his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and 1987. He played 82 games over those two seasons.

In 1986, he appeared in 72 games and batted .200, with 27 hits and 14 runs scored. He mostly served as a utility infielder.

He played just 10 games in 1987, batting .300 in limited chances before retiring.

Pirates Career Totals:

• Games: 82
• Batting Average: .207
• Hits: 30
• Final Game: 1987

Washington’s MLB career ended with 703 hits and 132 stolen bases. He finished with a career WAR of 9.2 across three teams.

On-Field Performance and Notable Achievements

Washington made a name for himself over 11 years, mainly as a shortstop, finishing with a .251 average, 27 home runs, and 255 RBIs in 907 games. Fans still remember him for his role in Kansas City’s playoff runs in the early ‘80s, especially their first World Series appearance.

Playing Style and Shortstop Role

Washington held down the shortstop job for Kansas City from 1977 to 1984. He teamed up with second baseman Frank White, creating a dependable middle infield duo.

The toothpick in the corner of his mouth became his trademark. You couldn’t miss it—he wore it everywhere, in the field and at bat.

Washington hit from both sides and threw right-handed. At 5’11” and 175 pounds, he had good range at shortstop.

After Kansas City, he became more of a utility guy with Montreal and Pittsburgh. That showed his versatility as his career went on.

Batting Average, Home Runs, and Key Statistics

Here’s how Washington’s career numbers stack up:

His best year at the plate was 1982, when he hit .286 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs. Those were all career highs.

During his eight years with the Royals, he kept a .254 average, hit 26 home runs, and drove in 228 runs. He was a steady presence in the lineup during the team’s most competitive stretch.

Postseason Highlights: ALCS and World Series

Washington played in four postseason series with the Royals from 1980 to 1984. He batted .279 in playoff games, going 12-for-43.

He took part in the 1980 ALCS and 1980 World Series, which was Kansas City’s first trip to the Series. He also saw action in the 1981 ALDS and 1984 ALCS.

One of his most unforgettable moments came in 1983, when he scored on George Brett’s infamous “pine tar” home run against the Yankees. Washington was on first base when Brett hit that controversial shot that got overturned at first.

Those playoff runs made Washington part of the group that brought Kansas City its first taste of championship-level baseball.

Later Playing Career and Retirement

Washington’s last years in pro ball included stints with the Expos and Pirates before he retired in 1987. He even tried a comeback with the Orlando Juice in the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

Orlando Juice and Senior Professional Baseball Association

After stepping away from Major League Baseball in 1987, Washington tried his hand at a comeback with the Orlando Juice in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. The SPBA, which started in 1989, was a short-lived league for players 35 and older.

The league drew former big leaguers who wanted to keep playing or make a return. Washington joined the Orlando team as an infielder, bringing his 11 years of MLB experience to the field.

The Senior Professional Baseball Association lasted just two seasons before folding. Washington’s participation showed how much he loved the game, even after his major league days ended.

Retirement Decision and Reflections

Washington called it a career after the 1987 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He wrapped up his final season by playing for the Pirates’ Triple-A team in Vancouver, after only a handful of major league appearances.

He played 11 years in the majors and finished with a .251 batting average over 907 games. Washington spent most of his time with the Kansas City Royals, but he also played for two other teams.

People remember him as the switch-hitting shortstop who always had a toothpick in his mouth. He played a big role in helping the Royals reach their first American League pennant in 1980, starting every World Series game that year.

His retirement closed the book on a career that started with the Royals Baseball Academy back in the early 1970s.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

After he stepped away from professional baseball in 1987, U.L. Washington poured more than twenty years into coaching and managing in the minor leagues. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer in March 2024, but he left a legacy of mentorship and real devotion to the game.

Minor League Coaching and Management

Washington jumped into coaching right after his playing days ended. Most of his post-playing years were with the Kansas City Royals organization, where he worked from 1991 to 2009.

He didn’t just stick with the Royals. In 1999, Washington brought his defensive know-how and switch-hitting tips to young players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

The Minnesota Twins brought him on from 2001 to 2002. His background as a utility player made him a perfect fit for teaching prospects how to handle different positions.

His last coaching job came with the Boston Red Sox organization from 2013 to 2014. During that time, he worked with the Greenville Drive, their Single-A affiliate.

Washington made a real impact in the Red Sox system. He helped develop several prospects who eventually reached the majors, including future All-Star Mookie Betts.

Influence on Players and Baseball Community

Washington’s influence on baseball went way beyond numbers on a stat sheet. Sure, the toothpick thing was unforgettable, but there was a lot more to him than that.

Young infielders especially learned a lot from his defensive skills. Washington’s knack for playing all over the field made him a great teacher for players trying to become more versatile.

His switch-hitting advice mattered too. Washington had to teach himself to bat left-handed, so he understood what young switch-hitters were up against.

Players noticed his quiet leadership. He kept things serious during his own career, but he had a way of connecting with minor league guys who needed a little direction.

Washington’s work ethic and focus on the basics stuck with a lot of people. Quite a few players said he helped them get the mental side of defense figured out.

Battle With Cancer and Death in 2024

The former Pirates shortstop faced his toughest opponent in his final years.

Cancer hit Washington hard, starting a fight that eventually took his life.

Washington died on March 2, 2024, at age 70.

Some sources say he passed on March 3, but the obituary sets the record straight—March 2 is the official date.

His passing ended a remarkable journey, from small-town Oklahoma all the way to the major leagues.

Washington’s legacy sticks around, especially through the many players he mentored while coaching.

The baseball community felt the loss of a dedicated teacher and mentor.

He shaped player development for more than two decades, working with multiple organizations.