This Date in Washington Senators History – Don Lock’s walk-off Home Run

May 24

1901 – After yesterday’s 9th inning meltdown by the Nats in Cleveland, Washington turns the tables with a 5 run top of the 9th to tie the Blues. The rally does not result in a win, as the game is called with the score knotted at 5.

1917 – Pale Hose P Reb Russell goes the distance as the White Sox defeat the Sens 1-0 in 12 innings in Chicago.

1943 – Former Yankee and Senator nemesis Lefty Gomez signs with Washington following his release from the Boston Braves. Gomez will lose in his only appearance with the Sens before retiring.

1951 – Behind the two hit pitching of the Tribe’s Bob Feller and the hitting of Larry Doby, the Indians trample the Senators 16-0 in Washington. The Sens are currently in the midst of a 9 game losing streak, during which the pitching staff allows 85 runs in those 9 games.

1958 – Two run singles by Eddie Yost, Ron Bridges & Jim Lemon erase a 3-0, top of 8th inning hole as the Sens beat Cleveland 6-3. All the Senators runs are scored in the 6 run, 8th inning eruption.

1966 – Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th against the Kansas City A’s, PH Don Lock‘s 2 out, 2 run game winning home run lifts the Senators to a thrilling 2-1 victory.

Senators Birthdays

Vernon Eugene Curtis B May 24, 1920 D Jun. 24, 1992

Pitcher Vern Curtis played for the Senators in 1943, 1944 & 1946, appearing in a grand total of 16 games, pitching in 30 innings. He had a W/L record of 0-1 and a career ERA of 5.70.

Vern Curtis career record

James Raymond Duckworth B May 24, 1939 Still living

Jim Duckworth was also a pitcher who played for the Senators in the 1963-1966 seasons. In June of 1966 he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics for Ken (Hawk) Harrelson. A little over a month later he was traded back to Washington for Diego Segui. However, he would not return to the major leagues after his last appearance in a Kansas City uniform.

His most active season was his rookie year of 1963 when he went 4-12 for a hapless expansion Senators team that would finish at 56-106.

Jim Duckworth career record

Guillermo Perez (Willy) Miranda B May 24, 1926 D Sep. 7, 1996

Yet another of Washington’s “Cuban Connection”, Willy Miranda, primarily a second baseman/shortstop, got his start in the majors with the Senators in 1951. He only ever appeared in 7 games for Washington. During the offseason he would be traded to the White Sox for Floyd Baker. His baseball journey would also take him to the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees and end up with the Baltimore Orioles where he spent the last 5 years of his career. His best season offensively would be 1955 when he batted .255, stroking 124 hits in 487 AB.

Willy Miranda career record

Ernest Raeford (Mule) Shirley B May 24, 1901 D Aug. 3, 1955

First baseman Mule Shirley played in 44 games for the Senators in 1924 & 1925. He appeared in 3 World Series games for the 1924 World Championship team, going 1 for 2 at bat.

Mule Shirley career record

Clay Van Alstyne B May 24, 1900 D Jan. 5, 1960

Another pitcher with a short career, Van Alstyne appeared in 6 games with the Senators between August 1927 and May 1928, finishing his major league service with a 0-0 record, 24.1 innings pitched and an ERA of 5.18.

Clay Van Alstyne career record