
Welcome to the fifth installment of Mets Sunday School: Forgotten Faces of Flushing, where we take a trip down memory lane to revisit the orange-and-blue-clad players who time—and often Mets fans—seem to have forgotten. Every week, we’ll rummage through baseball cards (or crumbling programs that smelled like hot dogs) to shine a light on the Mets who didn’t make headlines but somehow found a way to be part of the team’s unpredictable and unforgettable history at Shea, Citi, the Polo Grounds, and beyond.Think of this as a history class for the diehards, but without the pop quizzes or mandatory attendance. Whether these players were flashes in the pan, benchwarmers who turned into cult heroes, or just plain footnotes, they all have a story worth telling so grab a seat, sharpen your pencils, and let’s get to work!
After delving into the story of Jeff Keppinger last week—a steady contact hitter and versatile infielder who carved out a respectable big-league career—we now turn our attention to Claudell Washington. While his time with the Mets was brief, spanning just 79 games, Washington accomplished something remarkable in a Mets uniform that, up until that point, had only been achieved by legendary Hall of Famers Johnny Mize and Babe Ruth. This week, we spotlight Washington's unique contribution to Mets history and the moment that forever connected him to baseball royalty.
Before we delve into Claudell Washington’s brief but memorable stint with the Mets, let’s rewind the tape and take a look at his fascinating career—a journey that reads like a baseball travelogue with a few Hollywood twists. Claudell, a Southern California native raised in Berkeley, defied convention right out of the gate. He never played for his high school team because the coach wanted him to pitch, but young Claudell had other plans. He stuck to sandlot ball, where an Oakland A’s scout spotted him, and at just 17 years old, he traded his broom as a janitor for a $3,000 contract and a shot at the big leagues. Spoiler alert: it was a good investment.

Washington wasted no time making an impression. By 1975, at the tender age of 20, he was an All-Star, hitting .308 and swiping 40 bases for the A’s. Oh, and did I mention he already had a World Series ring from his rookie year? Not bad for a kid who wasn’t even on his high school roster. Over the next 17 seasons, Claudell wore more uniforms than a UPS driver, suiting up for the Rangers, White Sox, Braves, Yankees, and Angels, among others. With his blend of speed, power, and charisma, Claudell delivered plenty of memorable moments, including two three-homer games and a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Of course, his career had its challenges. He was swept up in the Pittsburgh drug trials of the mid-'80s, receiving a suspension that came with community service and a donation mandate. But Washington proved resilient, bouncing back to contribute to every team he played for, leaving behind a legacy of consistency and style.
Claudell Washington’s journey to the Mets was as colorful as his career. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Berkeley, California, Claudell didn’t even pick up a baseball until he was 11, preferring basketball and track in high school. Baseball? That was just something to do with his friends. But his natural talent was impossible to ignore. By 17, he was discovered by an A’s scout while batting .600 in a summer league. The A’s signed him for $3,000—and probably the best $3,000 they ever spent.
Washington rocketed through the minors, making his big-league debut with Oakland at just 19. His speed, power, and composure made him an instant contributor, and he played a key role in the A’s 1974 World Series win, hitting a ridiculous .571 in the Fall Classic. Despite high expectations, he was never the superstar scouts envisioned, but his 17-year career was filled with highlights: two All-Star selections, a World Series ring, and an uncanny ability to steal bases and hit line drives.
Along the way, Washington bounced around MLB, playing for seven teams, earning nicknames like "Champ" and "SuperWash," and even earning a dubious claim to fame as Nolan Ryan’s favorite strikeout victim (39 K’s in 90 at-bats). In June 1980, Washington found himself traded to the New York Mets from the Chicago White Sox, packaged with reliever Rich Wortham for Jesse Anderson and a minor leaguer, it was the very first trade that Frank Cashen made as a Mets GM.

Washington's start with the Mets wasn’t exactly storybook material. He managed only one hit in his first 17 at-bats, which must’ve left him wondering if Shea Stadium’s outfield came with kryptonite. But when he broke out of his slump, he did it with fireworks. On June 22, just two weeks after joining the team, Washington smacked not one, not two, but three home runs in a game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He took Dave Goltz deep twice and added one off knuckleballer Charlie Hough for good measure. That made him one of just three players at the time—alongside legends Babe Ruth and Johnny Mize—to hit three home runs in a game in both leagues. Talk about a club worth joining!

Washington’s power surge didn’t stop there. He slugged 10 home runs for the Mets that season, with the highlights including a clutch blast off Rick Reuschel on June 24 and a late-inning solo shot against Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven on July 11. His best stretch came in July and August, where he batted a sizzling .324 and .344, respectively, and slugged over .500 in both months. His knack for hitting in key moments and his ability to swipe a bag (he had 21 stolen bases that season across both teams) made him a valuable asset for a team trying to claw its way out of mediocrity.
By season’s end, Washington’s Mets stats showed flashes of his potential: in 79 games, he hit .278 with 10 homers, 38 runs, 16 doubles, 4 triples, and 14 stolen bases. His .778 OPS and ability to deliver in big moments added some much-needed excitement to a team that wasn’t exactly setting the league on fire.
However, Washington's time in New York was short-lived. After the season, he rejected the Mets' contract extension offer and signed a lucrative five-year, $3.5 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, becoming one of baseball's highest-paid players. As Torre might have put it, the Mets’ outfield went back to its regularly scheduled programming, while Washington took his talents—and his knack for dramatic performances—down south.

Washington continued his baseball journey with the Atlanta Braves, where he enjoyed a productive six-season run, batting .278 with 67 home runs and 115 stolen bases. He played a key role in the Braves' surprising 1982 National League West title. Two years later, he earned his second All-Star nod and posted career highs in homers (17) and OPS+ (130) during his 1984 campaign—a season that cemented him as a fan favorite in Atlanta.
The Braves, traded him on June 30, 1986, to the Yankees for Ken Griffey Sr. and Andre Robertson. Washington found his stride in pinstripes in 1988, hitting .308 with 11 homers, including a memorable pinch-hit blast off Jeff Reardon of the Twins that became the Yankees’ 10,000th franchise home run. Somewhere, Babe Ruth probably tipped his cap.
Despite his occasional heroics, the Yankees released Washington, and he retired after the 1990 season with a respectable .278 average, 164 home runs, 824 RBIs, and 312 stolen bases. However, he did hold an unfortunate record: striking out 39 times against Nolan Ryan, proving even the best hitters sometimes couldn't touch Ryan's fastball or stare down his glare.
Washington passed away on June 10, 2020, after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 65. His legacy lives on in the hearts of baseball fans and, oddly enough, in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. That foul ball he hit as a Brave in a Cubs game, caught by the title character, remains one of the most beloved movie cameos in baseball history. Turns out, no one could stage a cooler scene than a guy who could run, hit, and—yes—act.
Claudell Washington’s time with the Mets may have been fleeting, but his impact was anything but forgettable. His unique history making three-homer game against the Dodgers stands as one of those rare, magical moments that capture the essence of baseball—a sport where even the briefest stops can leave an indelible mark. From his improbable rise as a sandlot kid to becoming a World Series champion, an All-Star, and a record-holder, Claudell’s journey reminds us why we cherish the "Forgotten Faces of Flushing." They may not always make the Hall of Fame or stay in our team’s colors for long, but their stories are woven into the tapestry of Mets history, adding layers to what makes this franchise so unique. Next week, we’ll uncover another face, another story, and another reason to keep digging into the archives of orange-and-blue lore. See you then!
Heartwarming and a little sad at the same time.