Claudell Washington, long time major league outfielder and former Texas Ranger, passed away this morning, per reports. Washington was 65.
Washington, a native of California, was signed by the Oakland A’s in 1972 out of Berkeley High School in Berkeley, California. He was in the majors as a 19 year old in 1974, and made the American League All Star team a year later, in a season where he slashed .308/.345/.424, put up 4.9 bWAR, and finished 14th in the A.L. MVP voting while playing all three outfield positions for the A’s.
After a down 1976 season, Washington was traded to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Rodney Scott, reliever Jim Umbarger, and cash.