This Date in Washington Senators History – ’33 Senators climb into 1st place

June 23

1911 – Controversial figure Hal Chase sets a ML record with 21 putouts in a 9 inning game for a 1st baseman. The Highlanders slip by the Nats, 3-2, in Washington.

1915 – Walter Johnson tosses another 1-hitter in a 5-0 home victory over Boston. Harry Hopper collects the BoSox’s only hit.

1917 – In a doubleheader at Boston, Ray Morgan leads off game one with a walk off P Babe Ruth. Ruth disagrees with plate umpire Brick Owens on balls and strikes, and gets ejected. Ernie Shore relieves Ruth and, after Morgan is caught stealing, mows down the next 26 Washington batters to earn a perfect game. Needless to say, Boston wins, 4-0. The perfect game by Shore is later removed from the books since Shore did not retire the requisite 27 batters. In game two, Boston sweeps the Nats in a 5-0 win over Johnson.

1933 – With 15 hits in a 4 game stretch, MGR/SS Joe Cronin leads the Senators to a 7-3 victory in Chicago. CroninCoupled with New York’s loss in St. Louis, the Senators climb into 1st place in the American League, where they will reside for the rest of the season.

1935 – The Senators offense capitalizes on 11 walks from generous Tiger pitching to easily win, 12-7. Hank Greenberg‘s grand slam in the bottom of the 9th makes the game look somewhat competitive in the final score.

1950 – Cleveland, behind a 2 home run performance from Luke Easter, blasts the Senators, 13-4 in Cleveland. Al Rosen of Cleveland fall a home run short of the cycle.

1954 – In the top of the 2nd inning of today’s 8-6 defeat to the White Sox, the Nats Clyde Vollmer is hit by a pitch. Vollmer is injured and will have to leave the game. Washington manager Bucky Harris summons 18 year old Harmon Killebrew to make his major league debut as a pinch runner for Vollmer.

1963 – Washington’s Tom Cheney twirls a 4-hit, complete game shutout in LA. Jim King, Larry “Bobo”Osborne and Eddie Brinkman drive in the Washington runs in the 4-0 victory over the Angels.

1966 – P Jim Duckworth is dealt from the Nats to the Kansas City A’s for 1B Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. The Hawk’s stint in a Senator uniform is uneventful and he will be sold back to the A’s in June, 1967.

Senators Birthdays

John Doolittle (Jack) Hardy B Jun. 23, 1877 D Oct. 20, 1921

Jack Hardy spent brief portions of 4 seasons in the major leagues, beginning with 5 games in 1903 for the Cleveland Blues.

In 1907 he appeared in just 1 game for the Chicago Cubs.

Finally in 1909 & 1910 he would appear in just 17 games over 2 seasons for the Washington Senators. Mainly used as a catcher, he also filled in at second base and left field. He hit .167 in 1909 and .250 (going 2 for 8) in 1910. His last game in the majors was in late June of 1910.

Jack Hardy career record

Leon Arthur Pettit B Jun. 23, 1902 D Nov. 21, 1974

Leon Pettit first came to the major leagues as a 32 year old rookie in 1935 with the Senators. Appearing in 41 games, he posted a 8-5 record with a 4.95 ERA.

In 1937 he briefly resurfaced with the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching in 3 games and finishing with an 0-1 record.

Leon Pettit career record

John Doward (Jack) Sanford B Jun. 23, 1917 D Jan. 4, 2005

Jack Sanford broke in the majors with the Senators in August of 1940, playing first base and hitting .197. He returned with the Senators in 1941, but would only appear in 3 games, going 2-5, good for a .400 BA.

In 1946, he had one last fling in Washington, playing in 10 games and hitting .231. His last game would be on May 9th of that year.

Jack Sanford career record