May 19 1919 – The Nats are shutout in Detroit 6-0. The loss begins a season high 11 game losing streak that will drop the Sens into 7th place, where they will stay for the rest of the season, finishing 56-84. 1923 – After Walter Johnson gives up 3 runs in the 9th, Allan Russell …
May 18
This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Howard sets a new Major League Record
May 18, 1968 Frank “”Hondo”” Howard blasts two home runs at Tiger Stadium to extend his streak to six consecutive games with a home run. The two home runs Howard hit off of the Tigers were his 9th and 10th home runs of the streak During a six game stretch from May 12, 1968 to …
May 18
This Date in Washington Senators History
May 18 1906 – In the 6th inning, Washington’s game against Chicago is interrupted when Senators P “Long” Tom Hughes goes after a heckler in the stands. The “Hitless Wonder” White Sox rout the Sens 10-0 in Washington. 1913 – Ty Cobb‘s steal of home in the bottom of the 7th is the only run …
May 17
What’s in a name?
Baseball in the District, if you ask many fans it would begin and end with Walter Johnson, prior of course to the arrival of Harper and Strasburg. Oh they might throw in a couple of “No-Win’s” and “Tail-Enders” but Johnson, Harper and Strasburg are the focal points. Sad in a way because the District has …
May 17
American League players drawn by Vic Johnson – Vic Wertz
From the Mickey Vernon Museum, American League Baseball players drawn by Vic Johnson. This caricature of Vic Wertz is just one of a series of 19 caricatures of American League baseball players drawn by Vic Johnson during 1957. This caricature of Vic Wertz and the the other 18, is taken from a composite collection of those illustrations …
May 17
This Date in Washington Senators History
May 17 1925 – At Cleveland, Tris Speaker picks up hit number 3,000 of his fabulous career, but the Senators spoil the occasion by winning 2-1. 1930 – The Nats trample Philadelphia 16-5. In the bottom of the 5th, OF Sammy West of the Sens hits a 3 run homer that causes a fan to …
May 16
Mickey And Satchel
The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, located in Delaware County, PA, is a non-profit museum with the purpose of celebrating the life and career of Mickey himself and the athletes of his home county. It is funded strictly by donations. Mickey Vernon died on September 24, 2008. Two months before he died, he and I were taking a trip to …
May 16
This Date in Washington Senators History
May 16 1921 – Led by the bat of Ty Cobb, who pounds out 4 hits, scores 4 runs and swipes a base, the Tigers complete a 3 game sweep of the Nats in Detroit by a 17-11 score. Senators pitching gives up 33 runs in the series. 1930 – The Senators sweep a twin …
May 15
Flashback: Harper’s Shot Recalls Another D.C Phenom’s First Homer
Bryce Harper ensured his place in Washington baseball history even before he became the youngest major leaguer since 1998 to hit a home run. At 19 years, 211 days old, Harper isn’t even old enough to buy a drink to celebrate his more than 400-foot blast off San Diego Padres starter Tim Stauffer, which came …
May 15
Walter Johnson’s 18-inning complete game shutout
On May 15, 1918 the Washington Senators’ pitcher Walter “Big Train” Johnson pitched a Major League Baseball record *18-inning complete game shutout, to defeat Claude “Lefty” T. Williams and the Chicago White Sox 1-0. The fans at Griffith Stadium were treated to one of the greatest pitching duels in baseball history. After 9-innings the game …