This Date in Washington Senators History

July 18

1906 – Cy Falkenburg of Washington becomes the first ML pitcher of the 20th century to hit a grand slam. Falkenburg’s slam off Chicago’s Frank Owen is enough for the home Nationals to swat Chicago, 6-3.

1920 – At Griffith, the Nats rap 17 hits to cruise to an easy 10-3 victory over the Tigers. Detroit pitching coach Jack Coombs injures himself when he pitches in the 8th during mop up duty and is carried off the field. Sam Rice steals another base en-route to an AL best 63. Rice, Bucky Harris and Patsy Gharitty each collect 3 hits and score 2 runs apiece.WashingtonSenators1227

1932 – Visiting Detroit trips up Washington in a doubleheader, 8-6 and 2-1. Washington 3B Ossie Bluege ties the AL mark with 5 walks in the opener.

1954 – The Senators temporarily dislodge Cleveland from 1st place with an 8-3, game one, victory in Washington. Senator Eddie Yost leads the opening game charge with a double, triple and home run. In the finale, the Tribe regains their place atop the standings with a 7-4 win over the Nats.

1957 – Two Nats base runners are gunned out at the plate in the top of the 1st inning by Cleveland LF Gene Woodling. The two assists by the future expansion Senator equals a ML record. Nonetheless, the Senators prevail, 4-0.

1961 – In Griffith, Mickey Mantle and New York Congressman Eddie Dooley team up to win a pre-game, home run hitting contest. Mantle then hits another two homers off Joe McLain in the actual game to lift the Yanks to a 5-3 victory over the Sens. For the Mick, it is his 34th and 35th four-baggers on the year.

1970 – George Brunet and the Nats shutout the the visiting Angels, 4-0. Brunet, who would pitch professionally into the 1990’s, walks only 1, and strikes out 5 in the complete game effort. Former Angel Aurelio Rodriguez homers against his former club, his 14th home run of the year. Former Sen Ken McMullen, the player that Washington shipped to California for Rodriguez, is 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Senators Birthdays

Addison Foster (Ad) Brennan B Jul. 18, 1887 D Jan. 7, 1962

Ad Brennan played 7 years in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Whales of the Federal League and finished his career with 2 brief appearances with Washington and Cleveland in 1918.

First coming to the majors in 1910, Brennan played with the Phillies from 1910 through 1913. In 1913, his most active season, he posted a 14-12 record in Philadelphia, with a 2.39 ERA.

Jumping to the Federal League in 1914, he spent 2 seasons with the Chicago team.

Brennan did not appear in the majors in 1916 or 1917, but made 2 very brief appearances in 1918, first with the Senators, pitching in 2 games for 5.3 innings and finishing with a 5.06 ERA.

Purchased by the Cleveland Indians, Brennan would make one last appearance in the majors in late July, pitching 3 innings for the Indians.

“Ad” Brennan career record