August 2012 archive

Doc Adkins, Welcome to the Majors

24 June 1902 Boston 6 Washington 7 Washington took kindly to George Winter’s delivery. Doc Adkins who relieved Winter’s after the fifth, allowed the home team only two hits. “Doc Adkins is the cutest thing in the pitching line that has ever come this way. Nothing has ever decorated a Christmas tree, is one, two, …

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John Haskell Umpire and Punching Bag

21 August 1901 21 August Chicago 0 Washington 8 Win Mercer shuts out the White Stockings. The fielding of Billy Clingman being superb. Umpire John Haskell. Time 1:40. Attendance 1,500. In the fourth inning Jack Katoll and Frank Shugart assault Umpire Haskell. “The trouble occurred during the fourth inning. Bill Clarke and Pop Foster of …

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The 1901 Cleveland Riot, 20 July

Washington arrives in Cleveland in fifth place; the Blues are in seventh place. 20 July Washington 9 Cleveland 7 A large Saturday crowd is on hand. The Senators played by far a better fielding game, and gave Case Patten superb support, he scattered ten hits. Ed Scott started to pitch for Cleveland but he lasted …

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The Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club

When we were at the filming of the movie “Day of the Gun,” we had the privilege of spending time with Eugene “Pop” Meacham. Meacham is one the ballplayers featured in the film “Day of the Gun.” and the short “The Day the Aces got Trumped.” “Pop,” as he is known works in the medical …

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This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Strasburg signs record breaking contract with Nats

On August 17, 2009 the Washington Nationals and Stephen Strasburg agreed on a contract just before the August 17th midnight deadline. It is reported Strasburg agreed to sign a four-year deal that will pay approximately $15.1 million. The Nationals made the 21 year-old Strasburg their number one draft pick on June 9, 2009. The fire-baller …

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The days before the Nats signed Stephen Strasburg

With the signing deadline (August 17, 2009) approaching here is what they were saying about the Nationals chances of signing Stephen Strasburg. Keep in mind one year earlier the Nationals failed to sign the team’s 2008 number one draft choice Aaron Crow. The pressure was on the Nats to sign the young phenom from San …

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Maude Nelson comes to the District

13 August 1902, the Chicago Stars lose to the Department All Stars by a score of 6 to 3. The Stars are a barnstorming ladies team. Department Team Downs Bloomer Girls at National Park. Chicago stars are defeated 6 to 3 in a very fast game. A crowd of 1,800 were on hand and rooted …

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This Day in D.C. Baseball History – The failure of signing Crow has a Silver Lining

The Washington Nationals failed to sign first-round draft pick Aaron Crow by the midnight deadline on August 15, 2008. Aaron Crow, a right-hander out of the University Missouri was selected ninth overall in June’s draft, According to the Associated Press the Nationals didn’t want to go above the $2.1 million they gave to the 2007 …

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The Path to the Majors

Over the years Washington players have taken different, often bizarre routes, to the majors. Some like Bert Shepard had to make a detour on the way that took him over Nazi Germany. Lew Drill’s case is unique. He probably never desired a professional career. He was a student at Georgetown working towards his law degree. …

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Michael Morse is Very Close to Joining Prestigious List

Michael Morse‘s single in the top of the 3rd inning last night at Minute Maid Park in Houston extended his current hit streak to 17 games. During the 17 game hit streak Morse has gone 23 for 73 for a .315 batting average. If Morse is able to extend his current streak to 20 games …

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