"Designated runner" experiment fails

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - One of owner Charlie Finley's novel ideas was put to rest on this date in 1975. Finley's Oakland A's released Herb Washington after a loss to the Chicago White Sox. Washington was a speedster put on the team for one purpose - to run. He appeared in 104 games as a "designated runner, stealing 31 bases in 48 attempts, and scoring 33 runs. He had no at bats, no hits, no runs batted in and a fielding percentage of .000 because the former college sprinter never played in the field.

Herbert Lee Washington, who was born in Belzoni, Mississippi in 1951, was a four-time all-American sprinter at Michigan State University. He tied or broke the world record in the 50 and 60-yard dashes several times.

Having a "designated runner" was just one of maverick Charlie Finley's experiments. There were many. Some worked. Some didn't:

• White shoes (worked)
• Two-tone uniforms (worked)
• Orange baseballs (didn't work)
• Fired second baseman Mike Andrews for making two errors in a World Series game. (didn't work, the Commissioner ordered Andrews re-instated almost immediately)
• Released all his high priced stars in 1976 (initially didn't work, but common practice now)
• Pushed for designated hitter (worked)
• Designated runner (hasn't been tried since)

CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
Herb Washington
Charlie Finley

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