February 16
Senators Birthdays
Timothy Leo Cullen B Feb. 16, 1942 Still Living
Originally signed by the Boston Red Sox before the start of the 1964 season, infielder Tim Cullen would be drafted by the Senators after the 1964 season ended. Cullen would make his big league debut with Washington in early August of 1966. Cullen would hit .235 in 18 games his first season. Cullen would appear in 124 games with Washington in 1967.
After the 1967 season, Cullen, along with Butser Narum and Bob Priddy would be traded to the Chicago White Sox for Ron Hansen, Dennis Higgins and Steve Jones. (See February 13th.)
Cullen would play in 72 games for the White Sox in 1968, hitting an even .200 when he was traded back to the Senators for Ron Hansen. Cullen would finish the season playing in 47 games for the Senators, hitting .272 back in Washington.
Cullen would remain with the Senators through 1971 and would make the move to Texas when the franchise shifted operations. However, he’d be released in spring training. 5 weeks later he’d sign on with the Oakland Athletics, ending his career playing in 72 games for the A’s hitting .261.
Cullen’s only post season appearance would be in 2 games of the 1972 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers where he’d go 0-2 at bat but would be credited with 1 run scored.
James Alexander Ferguson B Feb. 16, 1897 D Apr. 26, 1976
Pitcher Alex Ferguson came to the big leagues with the New York Yankees in 1918. He’d pitch in just 1 game and wouldn’t be heard from again until 1921 when he’d return with the Yankees. Pitching in 17 games, he’d post a 3-1 record with a 5.91 ERA. Waived by the Yankees during the off-season, Ferguson would be picked up by the Boston Red Sox. He’d pitch for the Red Sox from 1922 through early May of 1925 when he’d be traded back to the Yankees.
Ferguson would remain on the New York roster through mid-August when he was on the move again, this time sold to the Washington Senators. Finishing the 1925 season in Washington, Ferguson would post a 5-1 record in 7 games and would make it into his only World Series, going 1-1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the series in 7 games.
Ferguson would be 3-4 in 19 games for Washington in 1926. After the season he was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies where he’d pitch in 1927, 1928 and part of 1929. Waived by the Phillies in early May of 1929, Ferguson would sign on with the Brooklyn Robins. Making just 3 appearances with Brooklyn, he’d post an 0-1 record with an astronomical 22.50 ERA and would get his final release less than a week after being signed by Brooklyn.
