December 7
Senators Birthdays
Richard Edward Donovan B Dec. 7, 1927 D Jan. 6, 1997
Pitcher Dick Donovan would get a slow start in the major leagues. Signed by the Boston Braves before the 1947 season, Donovan would make brief appearances with the Braves in 1950, 51 & 52, appearing in a total of 25 games over those 3 seasons, compiling an 0-2 record.
Out of the majors in 1953, Donovan would be purchased by the Detroit Tigers where he’d pitch in 2 games in 1954 before being returned to the Braves organization in mid-May.
Purchased by the Chicago White Sox at the end of the 1954 season, Donovan would finally get a chance to play regularly in 1955, posting a 15-9 record in 29 games with a 3.32 ERA. One of Donovan’s best seasons in a White Sox uniform would be 1957 when he’d go 16-6 with a 2.77 ERA and leading the American League in complete games with 16.
Drafted by the new Senators in the expansion draft of 1960, Donovan would spend the 1961 season with the fledgling Senators, going 10-10 in 23 games with a league leading 2.40 ERA, definitely one of the few bright spots on the Senators pitching staff.
Traded to the Cleveland Indians, along with Gene Green and Jim Mahoney for Jim Piersall, Donovan would have the only 20 win season of his career, going 20-10 in 34 games in 1962.
Donovan would finish his career in Cleveland, his last appearance coming in mid-June of 1965.
Donovan was named to the American League All Star teams of 1955, 1961 and 1962 and appeared in the 1959 World Series on 1959, pitching for the “GoGo” White Sox, being credited with 1 save and charged with a loss as the Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Armando Baez Roche B Dec. 7, 1926 D Jun. 26, 1997
Senators Short Timer and member of the Cuban Connection Armando Roche pitched in 2 games with the 1945 Senators, appearing in 2 games, pitching in 6 innings, giving up 10 hits, 2 walks and 4 runs, departing with a 6.00 ERA.
Ralph Wesley Judd B Dec. 7, 1901 D May 1, 1957
Another pitcher, Ralph Judd was a One Game Wonder with the 1927 Senators, hurling 4 innings, giving up 8 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs, departing with a 6.75 ERA.
Returning to the major leagues with the 1929 New York Giants, Judd would pitch in 18 games, posting a 3-0 record. He’d appear in 2 more games in 1930, his last appearance coming in early May.
