Books and articles about Claudell Washington

Called up to the majors at age nineteen, Washington played all three outfield positions in the 1974 World Series and was named to Topps' all-rookie team in his third pro season. The Los Angeles native improved in 1975 (.308, 77 RBI, 40 stolen bases) but his batting average and stolen bases were career highs. He played for four teams in five seasons, hitting three home runs in a game in each league, before signing with Atlanta as a free agent for a surprisingly large contract in 1981. He achieved career highs in games, runs, and RBI in 1982 and spurred Atlanta to the playoffs as NL Player of the Month for September. Used exclusively as an outfielder or designated hitter, Washington did not achieve the promise of his youthful talent.

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After having his best season in years as a platooned outfielder with the 1988 Yankees, Washington was allowed to sign with the Angels as a free agent. He had developed into a hustling player with a good attitude, perhaps a bit too late. His 1989 season was marred by injury. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » March 26, 1977: The Athletics trade former All-Star OF Claudell Washington to the Rangers for P Jim Umbarger, infielder Rodney Scott, and cash. » May 16, 1978: The White Sox trade OF Bobby Bonds to the Rangers for OF Claudell Washington and OF Rusty Torres. » July 14, 1979: Chicago's Claudell Washington has three home runs and five RBI in a 12–4 defeat of Detroit. » June 22, 1980: Claudell Washington hits his first three National League home runs to lead the Mets to a 9–6 win at Los Angeles and snap a 7-game losing streak. » September 14, 1980: In a 10–7 win over the Cubs, Lee Mazzilli homers to break a drought for Mets (as noted by Tom Ruane). It is the 1st homer in 175.2 innings going back to August 26 when Claudell Washington homered. This will be the longest drought for the rest of the century. The Mets also had droughts of 134.1 inning (4/15-5/3) and 117.1 inning (5/6- 5/24). » November 14, 1980: Free-agent OF Claudell Washington signs a 5-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. » May 31, 1984: Mario Soto is suspended for five days by National League president Chub Feeney for his role in a 32-minute melee that marred the Reds-Cubs game on May 27th. After shoving 3B umpire Steve Rippley, who had signaled that Ron Cey's long fly ball was a 3-run home run (it was later ruled foul), a bat-wielding Soto then tried to attack a park vendor who had thrown a bag of ice at him. Soto will be suspended again for five more days later in the season for his June 16th fight with Claudell Washington. » June 30, 1986: The Yankees trade OF Ken Griffey to the Braves for OF Claudell Washington and SS Paul Zuvella. » July 4, 1986: At Comiskey Park, with the score 1–1 in the bottom of the 8th, Sox OF John Cangelosi leads off with a drive to the RF corner. A fans leans out of the stands and appears to touch the ball as he tumbles onto the field. Anticipating an interference call, Yankee OF Claudell Washington slows down, while the speedy Cangelosi easily makes 3B. The umps don't see any interference and Cangelosi remains on 3B, and scores on a sac fly. Sox win 2–1. » December 12, 1986: The Yankees trade Mike Easler and minor leaguer Tom Barrett to the Phillies for P Charles Hudson and minor leaguer Jeff Knox, and also re-sign free-agent OF Claudell Washington to fill Easler's DH position. » April 20, 1988: Claudell Washington hits the 10,000th home run in Yankees history and Jack Clark hits his first American League home run in the top of the 10th inning to give New York a 7–6 win over Minnesota. The Yankees are the first ML club to hit 10,000 homers. » January 17, 1989: Free-agent Claudell Washington leaves the Yankees to sign a 3-year contract with the Angels. » April 12, 1990: The Yankees open the season in New York in front of 50,114 with Billy Martin's son throwing out the first ball. The Yankees win 6–4 win over the Indians, scoring twice in the 8th inning to break a 4–4 tie. Luis Polonia's hit breaks the tie and the Yanks score another run on an error. Eric Plunk is the winner over Jesse Orosco. Polonia will be rewarded for his hit by being sent to the Angels in two weeks for Claudell Washington. » August 6, 1996: Darryl Strawberry strokes three home runs off Kevin Tapani in the Yankees 9-2 victory over the White Sox. In doing so, he becomes just the 8th player to hit three in a game in both leagues. The others to do it were Babe Ruth, Johnny Mize, Dave Kingman, Cory Snyder, Darnell Coles, Claudell Washington, and Larry Parrish.