Herb Washington: Designated Runner
Players who never made it to a World Series include a long list of stars, topped by Hall of Famers Ted Lyons, George Sisler, Harry Heilmann, Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Andre Dawson, Ken Griffey Jr., and George Kell.
So it seems ironic that a man who never swung a bat or wore a glove in a single game in his one full year in the major leagues appeared in three games in the 1974 World Series.
Charlie Finley
The story begins with Charlie Finley, the eccentric, innovative insurance man who bought the Kansas City Athletics in 1960 and moved the team to Oakland in 1968.
He installed a mule as the team’s mascot, once proposed that the baseball be colored orange, and acted as his own general manager and field manager second-guesser.
Finley built winning teams in Oakland. He became obsessed with the idea of signing a designated runner, a track star who would be used exclusively as a pinch runner to steal bases.
In 1974 he set his sights on the world record holder in the 50- and 60-yard dash, a Michigan State student named Herb Washington. He offered Washington a contract. Washington had been a wide receiver at MSU but played no baseball.
Mike Marshall
At the time, Washington happened to be attending a Saturday morning motor skills class taught by Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star record-holding relief pitcher Mike Marshall, who was pursuing a PhD at the school.
Marshall knew of Washington’s reputation as a sprinter who got up to speed quickly. Herb told Marshall about the offer from Finley and asked for his opinion.
I said I thought it was an interesting idea. The only problem is, you’re going to have to learn how to read pitchers and how to get a jump.
Even if you can’t read pitchers’ cues, once you start, go like hell. If you’re wrong, it’ll take two throws to get you at second base.
I don’t know if you can slide, but you can learn that. Learn how to get a jump, because there are some pitchers that will false-cue you, make you think they’re doing one thing and they’re doing another. I know if I ever face you, I’ll pick you off.
Washington appeared in 97 games for Oakland in 1974 had 29 stolen bases and was caught stealing or picked off 16 times. The Athletics made it to the World Series against the Dodgers, winning it in five games. Marshall worked in every game, giving up one run in nine innings.]
In the top of the ninth inning of Game 2 in Los Angeles, the Dodgers led, 3-2. With one out and Joe Rudi on first base, the A’s sent Herb Washington in to run for Rudi. And there was Mike Marshall on the mound.
Pitcher Mike Marshall taught Herb Washington in a class at MSU
Marshall picks up the story:
Doug Harvey was the first base umpire. I called him over to the mound and said, “I want you to watch me closely on this. I’m going to pick him off but I need you not to call me a balk. I’m going to step off and fake him first. So watch me closely.”
Harvey said, “You got it, but if you balk, I’ll nail you for it.”
“I know you will.”
I stepped off and looked over there. I threw a pitch. Then I nailed him. I was in the regular set position. He thought that since I wasn’t stepping off and I’d already thrown home, it looked like I was going to throw home again. He took a lean toward second base and that was all that was necessary.
My greatest concern was that he would go on my first move and I would have to throw to first base and if he’s moving, Steve Garvey couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a throw to second, and I don’t want him throwing it away and Washington going to third.
I had to do it in such a way that he’d try to get back to first. That’s what he did. And I nailed him.
Herb Washington was released by the A’s on May 5, 1975, after one stolen base in two attempts. His baseball career was over. Subsequent designated runners signed by Charlie Finley also batted and played some defensive positions. No other teams adopted the idea.
