Nine New Pages Added
This morning I added nine new pages to the site. Each page will have data about each of the Washington professional baseball franchises. The information used in these new pages are provided from our friends at retrosheet.org. D.C. Baseball Records – Click on team name for more information. Washington Nationals (1872-1873) – NEW Washington Nationals …
Mickey Vernon Museum – Become a Friend of the Museum
by Jim Vankoski
This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Sievers turns down contract offer
By Mark Hornbaker
On February 8, 1958 the UP reported that Washington Senators’ slugger Roy Sievers, who last season led the American League in home runs and RBI’s while hitting .301, said today he wants a 100 percent increase in salary for the 1958 season. The 31-year-old outfielder said he had returned an unsigned contract to club President Calvin Griffith which called for 58 percent raise to $28,000; Sievers got $18,000 last year.
Founder of Baseball-Reference.com to speak in Columbia
The Bob Davids Chapter of SABR is having their monthly Talkin’ Baseball tomorrow morning at 9:00am. The guest speaker for tomorrow’s gathering is Sean Foreman the founder of Baseball-Reference.com.
The monthly gathering of Talkin’ Baseball first started on April 10, 1999 and is going strong almost 13 years later. To view the list of past speakers click right here. From what I know of the monthly gathering, usually anywhere from 10 to 30 people normally attend. I have a feeling tomorrow morning’s turnout could be on the high side.
This Date in Washington Senators History
by Art Audley
February 11
Senators Birthdays
James Edward Ryan B Feb. 11, 1863 D Oct. 26, 1923
Born during the American Civil War, Jimmy Ryan is one of many outstanding players from the 19th century whose career has been seemingly forgotten by baseball historians.
Beginning his major league playing days with the Chicago White Stockings late in the 1885 season, Ryan would patrol the outfield for 18 seasons in the majors, hitting over .300 during 11 of those years. Additionally, Ryan would be pressed into service as a pitcher in 24 games during his career, amassing a 6-1 record with a 3.62 ERA.
First appearing in October of 1885, Ryan would start playing regularly in 1886, hitting .306 in his first full season. Ryan would remain with the White Stockings through the 1899 season.
In 1890, he’d make a brief foray to the Players League, playing for the Chicago Pirates where he’d hit .340 in 118 games.
Returning to the National League Chicago team, known as the Colts from 1891 through 1897, Ryan would hit a career high .361 in 1894.
In 1898 the Chicago franchise changed their name again, this time to the Orphans. Ryan would remain on the Chicago roster through 1900. Ryan’s batting average dropped from .301 in 1899 to .277 in 1900 and he was released by Chicago. He’d spend the 1901 season with the St. Paul Saints of the Western League.
Ryan would return to the majors in 1902 with the Washington Senators then in their second year of play. At age 39, holding the dubious distinction of being the oldest player in the league, Ryan would hit .320 in 120 games. He’d hit .249 in 1903, his career coming to an end in late September.
Always a threat at the plate, Ryan would lead the National League in hits in 1888, doubles also in 1888 and total bases in 1888 and 1889.
