July 21
1902 The New York Herald reports that 3B Harry Wolverton will return to the NL Phillies. Wolverton “had informed the ‘Phillies’ he had tired of his work with the Washington American League club and had decided to go back to his first love. He will meet the the ‘Phillies’ when they return home.” Meanwhile, sans Wolverton, the Senators edge St. Louis, 2-1.
1926 At Griffith, Detroit’s Heinie Manush nearly hits for the cycle, falling a single short, off Walter Johnson
in a 10-7 Washington victory in the 2nd of two. The Tigers are victorious in the game one, 7-6.
1944 Whatever slim hopes that Washington had for the pennant evaporates on this day in Detroit. The Tigers complete a 4-game sweep with a morale crushing, 6-5 defeat of the Senators. The Tigers score 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th after the Senators valiantly fight back from a 3-0, 8th inning deficit. Washington had scored 4 in the 8th and 1 in the 9th for a 5-3 lead before the Tigers came back to steal the victory. The Nationals will lose 45 of their final 68 games to finish dead last in the AL, 25 games back of the pennant winning Browns.
1966 Jim Hannan is superb on this night against Minnesota, going 9 innings, striking out 9 and allowing only 1 run. But Hannan’s ill timed, wild pitch in the top of the 9th brings in that run, as the Twins escape with a 1-0 win. Jim Merritt of the Twins fans 12 over 9 innings, including striking out 7 straight Senator batsmen, as he wins only his 2nd of the year.
Senators Birthdays
Howard Samuel Shanks B Jul. 21, 1890 D Jul. 30, 1941
Howie Shanks began his baseball career with the Senators, where he would play 11 of 14 seasons. Originally an outfielder, Shanks found himself playing more infield positions as his career went on. He’d play every position except pitcher and catcher during his career.
Playing for the Senators from 1912-1922, his best year at the plate would be 1921 when he hit .302 with 24 doubles, 18 triples and 7 home runs.
Traded to the Red Sox, along with Ed Goebel and Val Picinich for Muddy Ruel and Allen Russell, Shanks would spend 1923 and 1924 in Boston. He’d be traded again, this time to the Yankees, where he’d play in 66 games in 1925, closing his major league career.
Gerald George Snyder B Jul. 21, 1929 D Jan. 31, 2022
Jerry Snyder got his start in the Yankees organization in 1947. Before he ever had an opportunity to appear in Yankee pinstripes, he was dealt in early May of 1952, along with Jackie Jensen, Spec Shea and Archie Wilson to the Senators in exchange for Irv Noren and Tom Upton.
He’d make his major league debut 5 days later. In 1953 he hit .339 in 29 games. Playing 2nd base and shortstop, his most active season would be 1954 when he appeared in 64 games. Snyder would remain with the Senators through May of 1958 when he’d be released 6 years and 2 days after first appearing in a major league uniform.
