Oklahoma Native, Former Kansas City Royals Player Remembered By His Teammates After Cancer Death

An Oklahoma native who played 11 seasons of Major League Baseball passed away from cancer over the weekend.

U.L. Washington grew up near Atoka and went to Murray State in Tishomingo.

He played for the Kansas City Royals for 8 seasons, helping them reach their first World Series.

U.L. Washington got a base hit that helped propel the Royals to their first World Series in 1980.

But Washington will be remembered most for the toothpick he kept in his mouth when he played baseball.

Washington signed with the Kansas City Royals for 8 seasons, making the playoffs in 5 of them.

"I just remember he was one of the leaders of that team, a great switch hitter, got on base, he initiated a lot of innings for us and we would score he was a guy that would go out and do the things that you need to get done," said former teammate Bret Saberhagen.

Bret Saberhagen played with Washington during his rookie year and said he was a great athlete with a unique talent.

"It's tough enough to chew gum and walk let alone play baseball and have a toothpick in your mouth," said Saberhagen.

Washington is also known for being on base during the "Pine Tar" incident in 1983 when Royals player George Brett hit a home run that was called back because there was pine tar put too high on his bat.

Washington played up the middle with Frank White at second base, and the two of them made history together.

"To be on a winning team and have the ability to not only play together but play in the World Series together and that's pretty awesome, multiple playoffs I mean that's what we dream about as kids and to be able to do it with people that you truly respect," said another former teammate, Frank White.

Washington and White were members of the Royals Academy, a program in the early 1970s to help develop athletes athletes into professional baseball players.

The two would go on to become the first black shortstop and second base duo to ever play in the American League.

"I'm grateful that I had an opportunity to travel the same path, walk in the same shoes, and be successful major league players and continue our careers and give back to a lot of people," said White.

White says he admired Washington because he was not only a great teammate and coach but a great father.

His daughter Shawnte who lives in Oklahoma feels the same way.

"He was like a father figure to so many people, my parents brought so many people into their home and raised them as if they were theirs," said Shawne Washington.

U.L. also coached in the minor leagues for more than 2 decades, helping players like Mookie Betts become a power hitter.