Editing Herb Washington (section)

==Pro baseball career==
In 1974, Washington was tapped by Oakland A's owner [[Charlie Finley]] to become the team's "designated runner". Finley and Washington worked out a one-year $45,000 contract with a $20,000 signing bonus. The contract had an unusual clause requiring Washington to grow facial hair before the beginning of the season. Washington had difficulty growing a full mustache, so he used an [[eyebrow pencil]] to simulate full facial hair.<ref name=Success/>

Despite having no professional baseball experience, and having last played baseball in [[high school]], Washington was a member of the Athletics [[1974 World Series]] [[1974 Oakland Athletics season|championship team]].<ref name=SacBee>{{cite web|last1=Kawahara|first1=Matt|title=Herb Washington served as A's 'designated runner' 40 years ago|url=http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/san-francisco-giants/article2600259.html|publisher=[[The Sacramento Bee]]|access-date=June 11, 2015|date=May 31, 2014}}</ref> Finley announced that he would utilize Washington as a "designated runner" and that he did not expect Washington to develop other baseball skills.<ref name=OSB/> Washington received coaching on baserunning from [[Maury Wills]].<ref name=SacBee/> Though Washington's teammates recognized his speed, he received a mixed reception from them because of his unusual background. [[Reggie Jackson]] said, "He's a great athlete, but he's not a baseball player."<ref name=OSB>{{cite news|title=Herb Washington – athlete, not baseball player|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19750506&id=PZdPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8QUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5242,1090782&hl=en|access-date=June 11, 2015|work=[[Ocala Star-Banner]]|date=May 6, 1975}}</ref>  Pitcher [[Rollie Fingers]] said that he thought the idea was "a little crazy" but that Washington "could run like crazy".<ref name=SacBee/> [[Bert Campaneris]] said that the team could count on Washington to steal a base when needed.<ref name=SacBee/>

Before the 1974 World Series, team captain [[Sal Bando]] said that he did not think Washington should be used in the World Series, noting that Washington might not have a second chance to make up for any mistakes committed during the series. Appearing as a [[pinch runner]] for [[Joe Rudi]] in game two of the World Series, Washington was [[pickoff|picked off]] first base in a crucial ninth-inning situation by [[Dodgers]] reliever [[Mike Marshall (pitcher)|Mike Marshall]].

Early in the [[1975 Oakland Athletics season|1975 season]], Washington was released. Before the season, the Athletics had acquired [[Don Hopkins (baseball)|Don Hopkins]], a pinch running specialist who could also play in the [[outfield]].<ref name=OSB/>  The Athletics had also acquired a second pinch running specialist, [[Matt Alexander]], just before Washington's release.

Washington played in 105 MLB games without batting, pitching, or fielding, playing exclusively as a [[pinch runner]].<ref name="reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/w/washihe01.shtml |title=Player Page |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref>  He had 31 [[stolen bases]] in 48 attempts and scored 33 [[run (baseball)|runs]] during his short career. Washington is one of only seven position players to have more game appearances than plate appearances.<ref>{{cite book |last=Spatz |first=Lyle |title=TheSABR Baseball List & Record Book&nbsp;– Baseball's Most Fascinating Records and Unusual Statistics |year=2007 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=United States |isbn=9781416532453 |page=496}}</ref>

Washington's 1975 [[Topps]] baseball card is the only [[baseball card]] ever released that uses the "pinch runner" position label.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centerfieldmaz.com/2008/05/baseballs-only-designated-runner-herb.html |title=Baseball's Only Designated Runner: Herb Washington |date=May 16, 2009 |access-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref>