Jim Hartley

Most commented posts

  1. Chuck Hinton (1934-2013): An Appreciation — 9 comments
  2. The New Washington Senators — 1 comment
  3. Dick Heller Appreciation — 1 comment
  4. The Good Guys Wore White — 1 comment

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The Good Guys Wore White

Originally posted on 4/8/2012 During the first 66 years of the 20th Century, most major league baseball teams wore sparkling white flannel uniforms for their home games, and gray uniforms on the road. There were exceptions. For instance, the 1906-09 Washington Nationals wore dark blue uniform pants and jersey tops on the road, but aside …

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Arrested for keeping a Foul Ball

On April 30, 1901, Charles Clarke, a resident of 740 “H” Street in Northeast Washington was arrested after picking up a foul ball that flew over the grandstand at American League Park and onto Trinidad Avenue. Clarke, described by the Washington Post as weighing over 200 pounds, retrieved the ball and ran to “I” Street, turned west …

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Nats first game under the lights – August 31, 1939

Mickey Vernon‘s two-run single in the second inning erased a 1-0 deficit and the Nationals went on to defeat the White Sox in their first game under the lights, 4-3 at Comiskey Park. The White Sox took 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Nats responded in the top of the …

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The Night the Lights Went Out at Griffith Stadium

This Date In Washington Baseball History – August 18, 1942 On December 8, 1941, prompted by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States formally entered World War II.  Soon afterward, many prominent major league and minor league baseball players either enlisted or were drafted into the United States Armed Forces. Faced with losing …

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Washington Nationals Baseball Club was granted a “Class D” license to sell beer at Griffith Stadium

     Sixty six years ago marked a turning point in the history of the original Washington Nationals franchise. No, they didn’t trade away a player who would go on to be the MVP of the American League (See: Jackie Jensen).        Although there may have been preliminary talks that weren’t revealed, there was no …

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Orth’s odd play helps the Senators beat Indians

July 7, 1903. In the 5th inning, Senators’ pitcher Al Orth was at third base after a triple to center field. Washington’s Charlie Moran hit a line drive that was caught by Cleveland first baseman Charlie “Piano Legs” Hickman. Unfortunately, Orth was halfway toward home and Hickman threw behind the runner. Unfortunately for Hickman, his throw …

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Rookie Joe McClain Posts the Expansion Senators’ First Win

Having lost their first game to the White Sox on Opening Day, April 10, 1961, the expansion Senators were idle for two days due to inclement weather. By Friday evening, April 14, the rain moved on, and a 27-year-old rookie pitcher walked to the mound to start the opener of a three-game series against the …

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Nats pull off Triple Steal

May 12, 1927 — In the third inning of an eventual loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park, Washington’s Tris Speaker, Sam West and Joe Judge pulled off one of baseball’s rarities — a triple steal. Speaker, taking advantage of Chicago right-hander Ted Blankenship‘s deliberate windup, broke from third base and easily beat Blankenship’s toss to the …

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The Senators Eleven Run Sixth Inning

On May 11, 1962, the 5-18 Washington Senators opened a three-game series against the Orioles at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium. Rookie Dave Stenhouse, who had posted his first major league win just five days earlier, had shut out the Orioles through five innings. Orioles left-hander Art Quirk had allowed only three hits and an unearned run …

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Dick Heller Appreciation

On March 20, 2014, the Washington area lost one of its finest journalists when Dick Heller passed away due to complications from lung cancer. Dick started his career in journalism at the Alexandria Gazette, moved over to the Washington Evening Star, the Miami Herald and finally to the Washington Times. During the 33 years that …

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