Multiple accounts suggested that Washington died following a fight with cancer.
U.L. Washington, a former MLB shortstop famed for playing with a toothpick in his mouth during his 11-year career, reportedly died on Sunday from cancer. He was seventy.
The Canadian Baseball Network broke the news of Washington’s death, and his former teammates shared their sympathies on social media. George Brett was among them.
“So sorry to hear my friend my team mate UL Washington has died of cancer he was a great player I will always be thankful of our time together with the Royals,” Brett posted on Twitter.
From 1977 to 1987, Washington played for the Kansas City Royals, the Montreal Expos, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 907 career games, he hit.251, had 27 home runs, and 255 RBI. He helped the Royals win the American League pennant in 1980, hitting.364 with an RBI and a double against the New York Yankees.
Kansas City lost the World Series in six games to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Washington was a fan favorite because of what he had in his mouth while playing: a toothpick. He told The Kansas City Star that he decided to keep the toothpick in his mouth because tobacco burned his mouth. The toothpick reached a fever pitch in 1980, prompting talk of banning it in Major League Baseball. However, nothing came of it.
“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,” he told the Oklahoman in 1988.
“I feel I’ve had a pretty good career, especially looking back at how I got into professional baseball.”
Following his playing career, the Oklahoma native worked as a manager in many minor league organizations. He was also credited with developing Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts into a power hitter.
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