Mark Hornbaker

Author's posts

Washington’s first game in the American League

April 26, 1901 The Washington Senators played their first game of the newly formed American League. The Senators visited the Philadelphia Athletics at Columbia Park in Philadelphia. Before the game the over flowing crowd of 10,547 people were entertained by the First Regiment Band. After the band played Philadelphia’s Mayor Samuel Ashbridge threw out the …

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President Truman Greeted by Boo-Birds

On this day in 1951 the Washington Senators invited Harry S. Truman the 33rd President of the United States of America to throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener on April 20, 1951. The President who is baseball fan accepts the invitation. The President must have been aware that he may not …

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Mantle’s Tape Measure Home Run

He did not play for the Senators but he sure made a lot of history when he played against the Senators in Washington. The person I am referring to is Mickey Mantle. Mickey Mantle must have loved spring time in the Nation’s Capital as he hit some of the longest home runs ever recorded. It …

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Strasburg’s professional debut

April 16, 2010 Harrisburg, PA Washington Nationals 21 year-old prospect ,Stephen Strasburg can’t control the rainy weather on the day of his professional debut. At  Metro Bank Park, a record 7,895 crowd withstand multiple rain and lightning delays. For a brief time the power actually went out at the stadium. Strasburg will only throw 2.1 …

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Looking Back on Jackie Robinson Day – Washington Senators were Behind the Times

The Washington Senators failure to change with the time when it came to signing black ball players probably was one of the reasons the Senators stayed in the bottom tier of the American League. On September 6, 1954, Cuban born Carlos Paula played in his first game with the Washington Senators, making Paula the first …

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William H. Taft starts new tradition

Many great baseball traditions started here in the Nation’s Capital. One of the most famous of these traditions is throwing out the first pitch on opening day by the President of the United States. On April 14, 1910, William H. Taft started the tradition after umpire Billy Evans handed him the baseball. To the joy …

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We Win, We Win, the World Series

Newsreel of the Washington Senators winning 1924 World Series The Library of Congress recently found nearly perfectly preserved nitrate film of a “Kinograms” newsreel showing the Washington Senators winning 1924 World Series   Washington Nationals World Series Game 7 / Winning The Fight – By Buddy Blake

Walter Johnson beats Newly Named Yankees

April 10, 1913 Behind the superb pitching of Walter Johnson  the Washington Senators beat the newly named New York Yankees 2-1. With the Yankees only run being an unearned run, Johnson begins a  streak of shutout innings that will reach a record 56 innings. Johnson will go on to have his greatest season of his …

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The Expansion Senators Debut

On April 10, 1961- Before the Washington Senators and the Chicago White Sox opening day game the crowd of 26,725 watched President John F. Kennedy throw out ceremonial first pitch at Griffith Stadium. The Senators’ starting pitcher Dick Donovan ended the top of the 1st inning by getting Minnie Minoso to line into a double …

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The Beginning of the Big Trian’s Greatest Season

April 10, 1913 Behind the superb pitching of Walter Johnson the Washington Senators beat the newly named New York Yankees 2-1. With the Yankees only run being an unearned run Walter Johnson begins a streak of shutout innings that will reach a record 56 innings. Walter Johnson will go on to have his greatest season …

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