The great jazz song titled “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills.The great composer Duke Ellington may not have found his swing if not for his first job at Griffith Stadium. The young Duke Ellington was more of a …
Tag Archive: Griffith Stadium
Apr 10
This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Expansion Senators Debut
On April 10, 1961- Before the Washington Senators and the Chicago White Sox opening day game the crowd of 26,725 watched President John F. Kennedy throw out ceremonial first pitch at Griffith Stadium. The Senators’ starting pitcher Dick Donovan did his job in the top of the 1st inning by getting Minnie Minoso to line …
Apr 03
My Almost Unbelievable Story
As the 2012 American League’s baseball season swings into action, just the thought of all the excitement brings back so many of my fondest memories of Griffith Stadium. My almost unbelievable baseball story should commence by saying that as a kid, I was a baseball nut. I loved watching the Washington Senators play and every …
Mar 17
This Date in Washington Senators History – Griffith Stadium catches on Fire
March 17 1911 – Washington’s Griffith Stadium, currently under construction and being prepared for an April opener, catches fire when plumbers working on the piping start a fire that burned down the grandstand. Since the water has been shut off, fireman can do nothing. Washington’s home opener, slated for April 12th will be played as …
Apr 09
Take a step back in time with these videos
These video clips were created for some stories I wrote in the past. The clips come from the film The Game Comes Home. DC’s Gentleman First Baseman-Mickey Vernon In one of his last recorded interviews, Washington Senator great Mickey Vernon talks about his life and times in Major Leagues Baseball. With an active playing career …
Mar 17
This Date in Washington Senators History – Griffith Stadium catches on Fire
March 17 1911 – Washington’s Griffith Stadium, currently under construction and being prepared for an April opener, catches fire when plumbers working on the piping start a fire that burned down the grandstand. Since the water has been shut off, fireman can do nothing. Washington’s home opener, slated for April 12th will be played as …
Jan 19
The Legacy of Griffith Stadium
I would like to discuss the “Legacy of Griffith Stadium” and some of those wonderful memories of a time in the not so distant past – unfortunately memories are just about all that is left for those who remember major league baseball in Washington DC before the current Washington Nationals. This may serve as a …
Jan 17
Growing Up at Griffith Stadium
In keeping with our theme of ‘timeless baseball” I thought it might be of interest to remember some of my childhood days as the son of a major league baseball player. I was very fortunate to have literally “grown up” at Griffith Stadium in Washington DC, where my dad had patrolled the outfield for the …
Jul 07
This Day in D.C. Baseball History – FDR attends 1937 All-Star Game
July 7, 1937 President Franklin D. Roosevelt is the first President to attend an All-Star game as he is invited to throw out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. The President and the rest of the sellout crowd of 31,391 at the 5th Annual All-Star game had to deal with a very …
Jun 21
This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Stobbs Ends Losing Streak at Sixteen
June 21, 1957 The Washington Senators’ pitcher Chuck Stobbs wins his first decision after 16 straight losses. With many of the 9,462 spectators at Griffith Stadium holding onto rabbit feet while they watched Stobbs pitch a solid game as he struck out eight Indians’ en route to his complete game victory over the Tribe. For …
