July 31
1909 – Once again, the Nats offense fails to score a run for Walter Johnson in a home 1-0 defeat to the White Sox in the first of two. The Nats narrowly avoid being no-hit by Sox P Bill Burns when Otis Clymer singles with 2 outs in the 9th. Washington cannot find home plate in game two either, this time being whitewashed, 4-0.
1918 – Johnson’s bat contributes 2 hits, including a triple, and his arm produces 11 strike outs in a 3-2 win at Chicago. Nonetheless, Washington cannot make any headway in the standings as first place Boston wins their game today to remain 6.5 games ahead.
1926 – The Nats offense scores early and often for the Big Train in a 9-0 victory at St. Louis. It is Johnson’s 112th career shutout. Goose Goslin homers in the 5th inning.
1952 – As July comes to a close, the Senators find themselves in a tight
pennant race. The Sens sit in 4th place, but just 5.5 games back of the league leading Yankees, who are “struggling” with a 59-41 record. Today, Washington defeats the Browns in Sportsman Park, 10-5. Cuban Connection member Sandy Consuegra collects his 5th win of the year in relief.
1962 – Mickey Mantle sits this one out with a bum knee, but the Bombers do not need him. Bill “Moose” Skowron powers New York past the Senators, 9-5, in new D.C Stadium. Claude Osteen serves up a grand slam to the Moose and falls to 5-8.
Senators Birthdays
William Clyde Hitchcock B Jul. 31, 1916 D Apr. 9, 2006
Infielder Billy Hitchcock managed to make the rounds during his 9 year major league career, playing for 4 different teams, one of them on 2 separate stints.
Originally signed by the New York Yankees in 1939, Hitchcock would be purchased by the Detroit Tigers in September of 1941 and make his major league debut in 1942, appearing in 85 games as a Tiger.
From 1943 through 1945 Hitchcock would not play in the majors, but would return in 1946. After just 3 games with the Tigers, he’d be sold to the Washington Senators where he’d play in 98 games at shortstop and 3rd base, hitting .212 with 8 doubles and 3 triples.
Prior to the 1947 season, Hitchcock would be sold again, this time to the St. Louis Browns.
After the 1947 season, Hitchcock would be traded to the Boston Red Sox where he’d play in 1948 and 1949.
Prior to the 1950 season, Hitchcock would be traded again, this time to the Philadelphia Athletics. Playing for the Athletics from 1950 through 1952, he’d have his best season at the plate in 1951 when he’d hit .306.
In January of 1953, Hitchcock would be traded one last time, back to the Detroit Tigers, where he’d appear in just 22 games of the 1953 season and would be released by the Tigers in October of that year, ending his major league career.
Allen E. Russell B Jul. 31, 1893 D Oct. 20, 1972
Baltimore native Allen Russell pitched for the Yankees, Red Sox and Senators in an 11 year career that spanned from 1915 through 1925.
Originally appearing in September of 1915 with the Yankees, Russell would remain in pinstripes through July of 1918 when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
Russell would remain in Boston through 1922. After the 1922 season, Russell was traded, along with Muddy Ruel, to the Senators for Val Picinich, Howie Shanks and Ed Goebel.
Playing for the Senators from 1923-1925, Russell would post a 10-7 record with a 3.78 ERA in 1923. He appeared in 1 game of the 1924 World Series when the Senators captured their only World Series crown.
Russell’s career would end in mid-September of 1925.
Robert Alexander Unglaub B Jul. 31, 1881 D Nov. 29, 1916
Another Baltimore native, who would coincidentally play for the New York, Boston and Washington, Bob Unglaub began his major league career in April of 1904 when the New York franchise was still known as the “Highlanders”.
After playing in only 6 games for New York, Unglaub would be traded to Boston. He’d play for Boston in 1904, 1905, 1907 and a part of 1908, Unglaub would also be tapped to be a player/manager for a portion of the 1907 season. The Red Sox, then known as the “Americans”, would go 9-20 with Unglaub at the helm on their way to a 7th place finish.
Purchased by the Washington Senators in July of 1908, Unglaub would split the season between Boston and Washington, playing in 72 games for each team that year. The change of scenery must have done Unglaub some good as he would hit .308 in a Washington uniform.
He’d finish his major league journey with the 1910 Senators, appearing in 124 games and hitting .234.
David Carter (MutT. Williams B Jul. 31, 1982 D Mar. 30, 1962
Mutt Williams ranks as a “Senators Short Timer”, appearing in just 6 games in a Washington uniform over the course of 2 seasons.
Pitching in just 1 game for the 1913 Senators, Williams came away with the win. He’d return to the Washington roster in 1914, pitch 7 innings in 5 games and depart with no decisions and an ERA of 5.14.
