March 2012 archive

This Date in Washington Senators History

March 18 Senators Birthdays Richard Charles Mulligan B Mar. 18, 1918 D Dec. 15, 1992 Pitcher Dick Mulligan would start his very brief major league career as a One Game Wonder with the 1941 Senators. Making his debut in late September, Mulligan’s 1 appearance would see him pitching 9 full innings, giving up 11 hits, …

Continue reading

Vernon edges Rosen for 1953 Batting Title

The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, located in Delaware County, PA,  is a non-profit museum with the purpose of celebrating the life and career of Mickey himself and the athletes of his home county.  It is funded strictly by donations. Mickey Vernon died on September 24, 2008.  Two months before he died, he and I were taking a trip to …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

March 16 1953 American League owners turn down a bid made by Bill Veeck to move the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore. The “reason”-not enough time before the start of the season. Led by Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith, the owners vote 6 – 2 against the move. (The move would be made 2 days …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

March 15 1944 In accordance with wartime travel restrictions the Washington Senators train at the University of Maryland. The Senators enter camp with 6 knuckleball pitchers on their spring training roster: Alex Carrasquel, Mickey Haefner, Dutch Leonard, Bill Lefebvre, Johnny Niggleing and Roger Wolff. Haefner, Leonard, Niggeling and Wolff all are selected for the starting …

Continue reading

Mascots and Ladies

Every team, major or minor leagues has at least one mascot. Some become famous on their own like the Famous Chicken. The quality varies depending on the team or season. Some are bad others are very good, like the group in Reading. It was common in the early years for players or teams to adopt …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

March 14 Senators Birthdays John Wyeth (Red) Marion B Mar. 14, 1914 D Mar. 13, 1975 Senators Short Timer Red Marion spent 2 distinct stints with Washington separated by 7 years. First arriving in the majors in mid-September of 1935, outfielder Marion would appear in 4 games, going 2 for 11 with a double and …

Continue reading

Moneyball

The Book, Moneyball, The Art of Winning an Unfair game, discusses the use of statistical analysis, saber metrics, by General Manger Billy Beane to gain a completive advantage. In fact the original Moneyball is the story of the building of the 1867 Nationals. Arthur Pue Gorman, a young, just 28 years old, but exceedingly resourceful …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

March 13 Senators Birthdays Bruno Block (Born James John Blochowicz) B Mar. 13, 1885 D Aug. 6, 1937 Catcher Bruno Block came to the major leagues in early August of 1907, playing in 24 games for the Washington Senators, hitting .140 in 57 AB. Out of the majors in 1908 and 1909, Block would return …

Continue reading

This Day in D.C. Baseball History – The Early Years

William Franklin Hulen born on 12 March. Hulen was born 1870 in Dixon, California. He broke in with 1892 Los Angeles Seraphs of the California League. Hulen just 22 years old was on a talented roster composed of several players would go on to play in the major leagues. It was the start of a long …

Continue reading