This Date in Washington Senators History – 1915 Nats steal a ML record 8 bases in the 1st inning

July 19

1915 – The Nationals steal a ML record 8 bases in the 1st inning of today’s 11-4 rout at Cleveland. Danny Moeller (3 SB), Clyde Milan (2), Eddie Ainsmith (2) and George McBride (1) lead the larceny on the basepaths against Tribe C Steve O’Neill. With the run support, Walter Johnson is able to depart after 6 innings, allowing only 2 scratch hits.

1918 – Washington C Eddie Ainsmith‘s application for deferment from the military draft is denied. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker rules that baseball is not an essential occupation and all players of draft age are subject to the “work or fight” rule. Ban Johnson announces that the AL will close down July 21st‚ a pronouncement that infuriates the owners. Clark Griffith, who is on good terms with Baker, steps in and is able to convince the Secretary of War to exempt players from the draft until Sept. 1. Both leagues vote end the season on Labor Day, September 2, with an extra two weeks allotted for the World Series.

1936 – Cleveland romps to their 9th straight win, 11-2, in a two for one. The Tribe finally tastes defeat in game two, a 9-6 Senators victory. 17 year old youngster Bob Feller makes his ML debut in the 8th inning of the finale, walking 2, striking out 1 and allowing no runs or hits.

1960 – A lone single from Rocky Colavito in the bottom of the 8th is the only hit allowed by Pedro Ramos in a 5-0 Nats win over the Tigers. Killebrew and Billy Gardner, celebrating his 33rd birthday, homer for Washington. Bob Allison drives home 2 with a 2-run single in the 4th.

 

Senators Birthdays

William Frederick (Billy) Gardner B Jul. 19, 1927 Still Living

Billy Gardner played for 10 seasons in the major leagues starting with the New York Giants in 1954. Playing in 62 games for the 1954 Giants, he would remain with the Giants in 1955 playing in another 59 games.

Purchased by the Baltimore Orioles early in the 1956 season, Gardner would have some active seasons in Baltimore, appearing in at least 140 games a year from 1956 through 1959.

Traded to the Washington Senators in early April of 1960 for Clint Courtney and Ron Samford, Gardner would have another active season with the Senators appearing in 145 games, primarily at shortstop but also at second base. He would have one of his better seasons at the plate in 1960, batting .257 with 26 doubles and 9 home runs.

Moving with the original Senators franchise to the Twin Cities in 1961, Gardner would be traded to the New York Yankees in mid-June.

He’d remain with the Yankees through June of 1962 (2 days shy of 1 year with the Yankees) when he’d be traded again, this time to the Boston Red Sox where he would finish the 1962 season. Returning with the Red Sox in 1963, Gardner would play in only 36 games with Boston before being released at the end of the 1963 season where his playing days would end.

Gardner would remain in baseball, managing the Minnesota Twins from 1981 through a portion of 1985 and the Kansas City Royals in 1987.

Billy Gardner career record

 

Minter Carney (Jackie) Hayes B Jul. 19, 1906 D Feb. 9, 1983

First coming to the major leagues as a 20 year old rookie in 1927, Jackie Hayes made his major league debut with the Washington Senators in August of that year. Hayes would remain with the Senators through 1931. His most active season in Washington would be 1929 when he’d play in 123 games and hit .276.

Traded to the Chicago White Sox, along with Bump Hadley and Sam Jones in exchange for Carl Reynolds and John Kerr, Hayes would stay with the White Sox through 1940. He’d have some decent seasons with Chicago, hitting .312 in 1936 and .328 in 1938.

“Jackie” Hayes career record