August 31
1905 – The only person standing in the way of Chicago’s Frank Smith and the record books is Jake Stahl. Stahl’s single spoils Smith’s perfect game bid in the Sox, 2-0, shutout in Chicago.
1906 – Frank Delahanty of the Highlanders drills 2 homers, a triple, a single and drives home 7 RBI. The Nationals are destroyed in New York, 20-5, in a game called after 6 innings due to darkness. Jack Chesbro of New York wins the opener of this twinbill, 7-5.
1914 – After a 3-for-3 day yesterday against Walter Johnson, Jack Fournier hits the game-tying and game-winning home runs off Johnson today, as the Nats fall, 4-3 in 10 innings, at Chicago. Johnson is the loser in relief of Jim Shaw. Fournier becomes the first of two players (Lou Gehrig is the other) to hit 2 homers in the same game off the Big Train.
1931 – Gehrig bops his second grand slam in three days, but the Nats are victorious, 6-5 , in New York. Lloyd Brown posts the victory, as Washington retains its hold of 2nd place.
1942 – Clark Griffith, in a deal that has been rumored for weeks, sells Bobo Newsom to Brooklyn for $25,000. Bobo announces that the Dodgers have won themselves the pennant now that he is pitching for them. Unfortunately, Bobo’s proclamation fails to come to fruition, when the Dodgers finish 2 games back of the Cardinals for the NL flag.
1943 – Packing the suitcase again, Bobo Newsom begins his 3rd tour of duty in Washington when he is purchased from the Browns. Bobo will go 3-3 down the stretch drive for the 2nd place Nats.
1945 – Washington fumbles a chance to move into 1st place in the AL by losing a home doubleheader to the Yankees, 3-2 and 3-1. Between games, Bert Shepard receives the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in World War II.
1960 – The Senators move to a game over .500 with a 2-1 win over the White Sox. Washington’s Jack Kralick strikes out 9 over 9 innings for the victory. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th from C Earl Battey sends the Nats home as winners.
1967 – Behind Frank Bertiaina’s complete game gem at Yankee Stadium, the Senators mash the Yanks, 6-0. Paul Casanova deposits 3 hits and an RBI. Eddie Brinkman drives in a pair with a 2-run single in the 8th.
Senators Birthdays
William Joseph (Buzz) Dozier B Aug. 31, 1928 D Nov. 24, 2005
Buzz Dozier made his debut with the Washington Senators in September of 1947 as a 19 year old rookie. Pitching in 2 games, Dozier would appear for 2 & 2/3rds innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 walk, ending the season with an ERA of 0.00.
In 1949, Dozier would return for 2 more games, with not nearly as much success. Pitching in 6 & 1/3rd innings, again in September, Dozier would surrender 8 hits, 6 walks and 8 runs, working out to an ERA of 11.37.
The final line on Dozier: 4 games, 11 innings, 14 hits, 7 walks, 8 runs and a career ERA of 6.55.
