D.C. Baseball History

President Nixon throwing out the first ball on opening day of the 1969

Forty-four years ago today, the baseball season began anew in Washington, as the Senators hosted the New York Yankees. A sports backwater since the 1940′s, when Slingin’ Sammy Baugh led the Redskins to championships and the 1945 Senators came up a hair short in a tight pennant race, the nation’s capital claimed the spotlight on …

Tags: Richard Nixon, Ted Williams, Washington Senators

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Aug 02

DC Baseball History — Appreciation for Ed Stroud

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On July 2, at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ed Stroud died at the age of 72. The cause of death was not named in this obituary on TribToday.com: http://bit.ly/OAoafl. Blessed with blazing speed, Stroud played for the Senators for most of his career, before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1971, his final …

Tags: Ed Stroud

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Jul 10

When the Stars (and so Much Else) Came to Washington

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So many years have passed since the nation’s capital last hosted baseball’s All-Star game that most people have forgotten the unique, unforgettable events that took place before and during the 1969 midsummer classic as well as one of the many fiascos one Robert E. Short committed during his sad, incompetent tenure as the Washington Senators’ …

Tags: All-Star Game, Babe Ruth, Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Bob Feller, Charlie Gehringer, DiMaggio, George Sisler, Honus Wagner, Joe Cronin, Joe DiMaggio, Lefty Grove, Mickey Cochrane, PiFrank Howard. Darold Knowles, RFK Stadium, Rogers Hornsby, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Traynor, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Willie Mays

Apr 29

The Joyful Sendoff of 1969

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The Passion of Washington Baseball Fans Part 2: The Joyful Sendoff of 1969 After their triumphant return home from the late June into early July road trip that left them with a winning record, the 1969 Senators stumbled into the All-Star break with a 51-50 record. Still, all baseball marveled at the makeover Ted Williams …

Tags: Arthur Lee Maye, Carl Yastremski, Del Unser, Dennis Higgins, Denny McLain, Ed Brinkman, Frank Howard, Gil Hodges, Harmon Killebrew, Jim Hannan, Joe Coleman, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Lolich, Mike Epstein, Rico Petrocell, Stan Williams, Ted Williams

Apr 24

The Passion of Senators Fans in 1969: The Raucous Welcome for the Nats at Friendship Airport

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(Part 1 of a 3-part series) Starved for a winner, Washington baseball fans went a little crazy when it looked like they might actually get one in 1969. Once the thrill of having Ted Williams on board as manager wore off, the team had to prove themselves in the standings. After 16 years of losing …

Tags: Bob Short, Dick Bosman, Hondo, Joe Cronin Del Unser, Ted Williams, Walter Johnson

Mar 30

1969 Spring Training -The Entire Story

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“Bob Short’s Picnic Table Diplomacy” Part 1 of a Five Part Series on 1969 Spring Training 1969′s spring training may have been the most unique in Washington baseball history. Change abounded. The club sported a new owner, Robert E. Short, a celebrity manager, Ted Williams, and even new uniforms (the elegant navy blue pinstripes replaced …

Tags: 1969 Senators, Bob Short, Camilo Pascual, Cap Peterson, Capital Punisher, David Baldwin, Ed Stroud, Frank Howard, Gentle Giant, Hank Allen, Hondo, Jim French, Jim Hannan, Pompano Beach, Rich Billings, Robert E. Short, Spring Training - 69 Senators, Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, Tom Seaver, Washington Senators

Mar 29

1969 Senators Spring Training — Bob Short Meets Texas Tom Vandergriff

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1969 Washington Senators Spring Training: Bob Short Suddenly Books Two Games in Texas 5th of a 5 part series Once Frank Howard signed his contract and joined his teammates in Pompano Beach, the Washington Senators felt whole again. The club won their first game with Hondo in the line-up as the “designated pinch hitter.” Washington …

Tags: Bob Short

Mar 23

1969 Senators Spring Training — Hondo’s Holdout

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1969 Senators Spring Training — Hondo’s Holdout: Part 4 of a 5-Part Series As spring training in Pompano Beach continued, Ted Williams and his charges learned more and more about each other. Williams professed his hitting philosophy, “wait for a good pitch to hit” and being patient at the plate so walks would increase. Teddy …

Tags: Capital Punisher, Frank Howard, Gentle Giant, Hondo

Mar 15

Cap Peterson Spring Training Power Display – March 15, 1969

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Part 3 of a series on 1969 Washington Senators’ Spring Training Once the excitement and commotion surrounding the Senators in the winter of 1969 — Robert E. “Bob” Short purchasing the team out from under rival bidder Bob Hope, Ted Williams signing on to manage, and the players’ strike for better pension terms led by …

Tags: Cap Peterson

Feb 25

Washington Senators Spring Training 1969: Ted (Finally) Gets His First Win

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Part 2 of a Series After the owners and players reached a deal that ended the spring strike of 1969, Senators’ players arrived in Pompano Beach to meet their new celebrity manager, Ted Williams. Outside of Washington, where the common reaction was joy that Teddy Ballgame had joined Vince Lombardi in Washington, giving fans hope …

Tags: Camilo Pascual, Frank Howard, Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, Washington Senators