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Charlie Finley was a very rich man. And a very eccentric one.

As owner of the Oakland Athletics, he wanted to change the game of baseball. Make it more ‘fan friendly.’

He introduced bright, multi-colored uniforms to the game. For a mascot, he had a live mule that would patrol the outfield before home games and actually attend press conferences! He insisted on players growing facial hair in an era when other clubs forbade it; he actually had a facial hair clause written into his players’ contracts. He floated the idea of making the baseball different colors.

In 1974, his Athletics were chasing their third consecutive World Series title. That’s the year Finley implemented one of his new brainstorms.

He hired Herb Washington, a world class sprinter, to be his “designated runner.” What an innovative idea, some people thought.

What could go wrong?

Washington appeared in 92 games for the Athletics that year. He had no hits. No walks. He didn’t strike out; not even once. He made no errors.

That’s because Washington never had an at-bat or played in the field. And he didn’t own a baseball glove, or even a bat.

His sole job was to pinch run, then steal second base.

Stealing bases, as it turned out, is not as simple as just running fast. There are many more talents required.

You have to know how big of a lead to take off of first base. You must learn how to slide into a base. Even how to dive head first. You have to be taught to ‘read’ a pitcher’s intentions and body movements; is he going to pitch the ball? Is he going to throw to first base? And if you do steal second base, you must know when it is wise to chance continuing to third base.

During that year’s World Series, Washington was sent in to pinch run late in the second game with the contest on the line. His team was trailing the Dodgers by one run. A stolen base would put him in position to score the tying run on any kind of base hit.

So Washington climbed out of the dugout and jogged to first base. He then took three steps towards second base, and crouched down, hands on his knees, staring intently at the pitcher.

The pitcher, a tough veteran named Mike Marshall, seemingly ignored him.

He then faked a throw to first base three times, chasing Washington back to the bag.

The crowd in Los Angeles, which was in excess of 55,000 people, grew restless.

Washington then extended his lead off of first base a bit further.. One step. Then another.

That’s when the catcher signaled Marshall that it was time.

So Marshall glanced toward the runner, who was leaning towards second base, then spun quickly around and fired the ball to first base.

Washington was tagged out by what is commonly referred to as a proverbial mile.

The Dodgers went on to win the game, 3-2.

The Athletics released Herb Washington one month into the following season. He returned to running track.

They held onto the mule…