Mar 23
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 …
Feb 25
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 …
Feb 18
Part 1 of a Five Part Series on 1969 Spring Training “Bob Short’s Picnic Table Diplomacy” 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 …
Jan 27
Joe Coleman, all of 22 years-old, trudged to the Senators’ dugout after retiring the Boston Red Sox in order. Coleman glumly walked off the Fenway Park mound because he knew Ted Williams would pinch hit for him when his turn in the order came the next inning. Washington trailed, 4-2 and needed some late game …
Jan 16
On a Friday night in Washington, D.C., May 2, 1969, about 14,000 fans filed into RFK Stadium to watch the surging Washington Senators play the slumping Cleveland Indians. Senators’ fans basked in the glow of Ted Williams’ arrival as manager and the club’s seven wins in its last 8 games, blasting above the .500 mark …
