Claudell Washington, a two-time Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion died Wednesday at the age of 65, losing a three year battle with prostate cancer.

Childhood friend George Washington reminisced about Washington’s beginnings on the Doggie Diner Little League baseball team that played at San Pablo Park.

Claudell Washington played in the major league for 19 years and could have played longer but wanted to return home to be with his family, regretting not being with his children more.

Washington stayed with the Braves for five seasons before being traded to the New York Yankees during the 1986 season, and finished out the remaining years with the Yankees tying up a career high with a .308 batting averaging in 1988 before joining the California Angels.

Reflecting on his good friend, George Washington said, “As famous and successful as Claudell was, his greatest gift was his sense of humor and his big smile.