Post by Reddington on Feb 14, 2021 19:24:17 GMT -5
End of an Era II
UL Washington came to Atlanta in 1977 during a relatively unimpressive minor league career with the Padres and Yankees. From the moment he was called up in 78 though, he never looked back and never let go of his starting spot, until his last season.
U.L. could play any position but started at 3rd early in his career and then settled as Atlanta’s shortstop for the majority of his career. While never an allstar, U.L. is the first player to have 10 RBIs in a single game during his rookie season of 78. This feat has been done again in the NL, and the record was eventually broken by Joe Carter in 93 in the AL with 11.
One of U.L.’s strength was his ability on the base path collecting 809 stolen bases, finishing 14th in all time swipes, a spot he should hold for a while as the only active player is more than 100 behind, and 39. In 1983 he led the league with 79 swipes. All total, if he took off running, he was going to be safe 78% of the time. Washington was a day in, day out player, and while not splashy, is one of the few to collect 2000 hits in a career, along with 84 triples. UL was the kind of guy if he got on base, chances are he was going to score, as if he touched base, 39% of the time he was going to tak on a run for the Braves. In his 14th year in the majors, 1991 the 19 year career started catching up with his body, and he missed games for extended periods for the first time since a strained ligament kept him out 2 weeks in 1979.
A defensive force, he also won a gold glove at third, before being moved to short, where he played till the end of his career. E was the kinda guy that the boss loves and was kept in hot ‘Lanta as a testament and no one was happier than the boss when he collected his last hit, in his last game as a Brave, reaching the 2000th hit plateau.
A year late in being recognized, U.L. Washington finally finds his place on the Braves Stadium Ring of Honor. Thanks for all the memories over your 15 year Major League career with the Braves, you are missed and will continue to be missed.
The #91 rock song of 1994
