Claudell Washington

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Claudell Washington (born August 31, 1954 in Los Angeles, California) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Oakland Athletics (1974-76), Texas Rangers (1977-78), Chicago White Sox (1978-80), New York Mets (1980), Atlanta Braves (1981-86), New York Yankees (1987-88, 1990) and California Angels (1989-90). He batted and threw left handed.

Washington was one of the youngest All-Stars in major league history when he was named to the 1975 American League All Star team at the age of 20. Prior to the 1977 season, Washington was traded to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Rodney Scott and left handed pitcher Jim Umbarger.

A little over a year later, in May, 1978, Washington was traded to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Bobby Bonds.

After struggling in 1978, both before and after the trade, Washington bounced back with a solid 1979 campaign. He was traded once again the following year, however, this time to the New York Mets.

A free agent after the 1980 season, Washington signed with the Atlanta Braves before the 1981 season. Washington spent the next five and a half seasons with the Braves, and was named to the All-Star team against in 1984. Washington was traded in June, 1986, from the Braves to the New York Yankees, along with Paul Zuvella, for outfielder Ken Griffey, Sr. and infielder Andre Robertson.

Washington re-signed with the Yankees after the 1986 season, and spent two more years with the Yankees. After the 1988 season, Washington once again became a free agent, and signed a contract with the California Angels. Washington was part of yet another mid-season trade in April, 1990, when he was traded back to the Yankees, along with Rich Monteleone, for outfielder Luis Polonia.

Washington retired after the 1990 season.

Contents 1 Career 2 Washington in film trivia 3 Highlights 4 Sources

[edit] Career

In a 17-season career, Washington posted a .278 with 164 home runs and 824 RBI in 1912 games.

[edit] Washington in film trivia

Game footage of Washington appears in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

In the film, Washington hits a foul ball at a Cubs game which is caught by the film's title character, who was supposedly sick at home from school. This footage was taken from a game played on June 5, 1985,[1].

[edit] Highlights

• Twice All-Star (1975, 1984)
• Hit three home runs in a game in each league (AL, 1979 - NL, 1980)
• Hit the 10,000th home run in Yankees history (April 20, 1988)

Preceded by Bill Buckner

National League Player of the Month September, 1982

Succeeded by Terry Kennedy

[edit] Sources

• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
• Baseball Library