UL Washington, the Royals infielder who helped them to their first AL Pennant in 1980, died Sunday at the age of 70.
Washington set up two of the most famous Royals moments in history.
He had a two-out single in the seventh inning of Game 3 of the 1980 ALCS against the Yankees.
George Brett followed that up with a three-run home run off of Goose Gossage that would be enough to send the Royals to their first ever World Series.
And then there was George Brett’s pine tar incident in 1983, which Washington set up, too. Washington got on base with a two-out single, and Gossage was brought in to face Brett.
Brett hit a two-run homer but was called out for having too much pine tar on his bat.
The Royals appealed and it was upheld with them earning the 5-4 win when the game 25 days later.
Brett, arguably the most iconic figure in Royals history, took to X to write a message about Washington after his passing.
“So sorry to hear my friend my team mate UL washington has died of cancer he was a great player,” Brett wrote. “I will always be thankful of our time together with the royals.”
Washington was also known for having a toothpick in his mouth at all times during games.
“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.”
After a year playing baseball for Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., Washington got a tryout with the Royals thanks to his brother James, an usher with the team. He made his debut on Sept. 6, 1977.
In that famed 1980 season, Washington played in 153 games, a career-high, and hit .273 with six home runs and 53 RBIs.
His 150 hits that season were also a career high.
In the playoffs that year, he hit .303 and drove in three runs, two of those coming in the final two games of the Royals’ World Series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
After eight years in Kansas City, Washington finished his career with a year in Montreal and then two in Pittsburgh, never playing more than 72 games over his final three seasons.
He retired in 1987 after an 11-year career.