January 23
1958 – Another poor trade for the Senators as they exchange shortstop Pete Runnels to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Albie Pearson and first baseman Norm Zauchin.
Runnels will win two batting titles, in 1960 and 1962, having missed a third title by six points in 1958. Pearson will play in just 171 games for the Senators in 1958 and 1959 before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Lenny Green. Zauchin would play in just 105 games for the Senators, 96 in 1958 and 19 in 1959. Hitting just .211 for Washington, Zauchin would be released in early May.
Senators Birthdays
Robert James Burke B Jan. 23, 1907 D Feb. 8, 1971
Pitcher Bobby Burke would spend 9 years on the Senators roster beginning in April of 1927. Mainly used as a closer, one of Burke’s best seasons in Washington would be 1931 when he’d post a 8-3 record with a 4.27 ERA.
Playing in Washington from 1927 through 1935, Burke would be out of the majors in 1936 but would return for 2 games with the 1937 Philadelphia Phillies, his last appearance coming in early May.
Randall Pennington Gumpert B Jan. 23, 1918 D Nov. 25, 2008
Another pitcher, Randy Gumpert was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics before the start of the 1936 season. Appearing in 22 games that first year, Gumpert would compile a 1-2 record with a 4.76 ERA. He’d play briefly for Philadelphia in 1937 and 1938 with some pretty horrific ERAs.
Out of the major leagues for the next 7 years, Gumpert would serve in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, finally making his way back to the majors in 1946 with the New York Yankees. Pitching in 33 games, Gumpert had the best season of his career, going 11-3 with a 2.31 ERA.
Gumpert would remain with the Yankees through late July of 1948 when he was purchased by the Chicago White Sox. Playing for the White Sox from July of 1949 through the end of the 1951 season, Gumpert would achieve a bit of fame (or infamy, depending on your perspective) by surrendering Mickey Mantle’s first major league home run on May 1st of 1951. It wasn’t all bad however, as Gumpert was selected to the 1951 American League All Star Team.
Traded by the White Sox to the Red Sox after the 1951 season, Gumpert would pitch in 10 games for Boston going 1-0 when he was traded one last time to the Washington Senators, along with Walt Masterson, for Sid Hudson.
Finishing the 1952 season, and his major league career with Washington, Gumpert would post a 4-9 record in 20 games with a 4.24 ERA, his last game coming in late September.
William Morley Jennings (Played as Bill Morley) B Jan. 23, 1890 D May 14, 1985
Senators Short Timer William Morley spent 2 days in a Washington uniform in early September of 1913. Playing in 2 games, he’d go 0-3 at the plate.
Jan 23
This Date in Washington Senators History
