Category: Uncategorized

Veterans Day Special – Negro League Baseball in D.C. during WWII

From 1939 to 1945 the Homestead Grays played a lot of their home game at Griffith Stadium when the Washington Senators were out of town. The Grays drew some very large crowds when the team played at Griffith Stadium. The local fans wanted to see the Grays’ exciting brand of baseball. With stars like Josh …

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Not Caring If We Ever Get Back

By Jeff Stuart In the June 13, 1967 edition of the Washington Star Morris Siegel reported that a fan from Silver Spring had called the Senators’ public relations department that morning. “Please, please tell her (his wife) the game went 22 innings and didn’t end until nearly 3:00 A.M,” he pleaded. When told it was …

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The Ladies Day Riot of 1897

Washington Senators Ladies Day that was held on September 13, 1897. The Washington Senators invited the ladies to attend the Washington Senators game against the Cincinnati Red Stockings for free. The Senators wanted to give the ladies a chance to come out and learn a little bit about the fundamentals of the game and then …

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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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Denny McLain In Washington

After winning 86 games in 1969 under first year Manager Ted Williams, the Senators won just 70 in 1970. Attendance dropped from 918,106 in ’69 to 824,789. Nats owner Bob Short felt he had to make a move. So at the end of the 1970 season, the Senators traded popular shortstop Brinkman, and third baseman …

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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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Walter Johnson’s D.C. Debut

It was 115 years ago — August 2, 1907 — The Senatorspitcher Walter Johnson made his big-league debut in D.C., kicking off a thirty-year baseball career and leaving a lasting imprint on the game. The Washington Senators, with a record of 28-59-2 ties, started the rookie Johnson against the Detroit Tigers, then 29 games ahead …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – Big Train’s last Win

1927 For the final time in his illustrious career, Walter Johnson finds his name in the win column. Johnson wins his 417th game in a 12-2 Nats bouncing of Chicago. With the Nats sitting 14 back of the rapidly disappearing Yankees, manager Bucky Harris decides to go with younger pitchers for the rest of the season. Box Score

Nationals start Great Western Tour

July 13, 1867 The Washington Nationals baseball team that was made up by mostly government workers and were led by second baseman George Wright, played their first game of the their western tour. The Nationals could not have asked for a better start to their great tour as they beat up the Capital Club of …

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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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