Mark Hornbaker

Author's posts

Jim Kaat’s letter to Strasburg

As I received a lot of hits on this story I thought I would re-post the story. Long time Washington baseball fans will remember the name Jim Kaat. Jim Kaat was signed by the Washington Senators as an amateur free agent in 1957. The 20 year-old Kaat made his debut on August 2, 1959. With …

Continue reading

This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Strasburg signs record breaking contract with Nats

On August 17, 2009 the Washington Nationals and Stephen Strasburg agreed on a contract just before the August 17th midnight deadline. It is reported Strasburg agreed to sign a four-year deal that will pay approximately $15.1 million. The Nationals made the 21 year-old Strasburg their number one draft pick on June 9, 2009. The fire-baller …

Continue reading

The days before the Nats signed Stephen Strasburg

With the signing deadline (August 17, 2009) approaching here is what they were saying about the Nationals chances of signing Stephen Strasburg. Keep in mind one year earlier the Nationals failed to sign the team’s 2008 number one draft choice Aaron Crow. The pressure was on the Nats to sign the young phenom from San …

Continue reading

This Day in D.C. Baseball History – The failure of signing Crow has a Silver Lining

The Washington Nationals failed to sign first-round draft pick Aaron Crow by the midnight deadline on August 15, 2008. Aaron Crow, a right-hander out of the University Missouri was selected ninth overall in June’s draft, According to the Associated Press the Nationals didn’t want to go above the $2.1 million they gave to the 2007 …

Continue reading

Michael Morse is Very Close to Joining Prestigious List

Michael Morse‘s single in the top of the 3rd inning last night at Minute Maid Park in Houston extended his current hit streak to 17 games. During the 17 game hit streak Morse has gone 23 for 73 for a .315 batting average. If Morse is able to extend his current streak to 20 games …

Continue reading

This Day in D.C. Baseball History – The Beginning of Decisive Winning Streak

August 8, 1933 – The Washington Senators (65-38) snapped a three game losing streak when they beat the New York Yankees (63-40) by a score of 5-1 at Yankee Stadium. The Senators victory gave the team a two game lead over the 2nd place Yankees in the American League standings. The victory over the Yankees …

Continue reading

This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Sam Rice makes D.C. Debut

August 7, 1915 – Sam “Man O’ War” Rice makes his major league debut as a relief pitcher at the age of 25. Rice is put in the game after the Chicago White Sox took an early lead against the Senators. The Senators were not able to come back and give Rice the win in …

Continue reading

Gore Vidal and local WWII hero James Trimble

I normally do not do this but I am going to share a story I just found on the internet. For some of you this may be the first time you have heard about James Trimble’ The title of the story is Gore Vidal’s Great Love, Baseball Prodigy James Trimble.  The story was posted by …

Continue reading

1938 Senators blow 10 run lead

I’m not 100% sure this is the largest blown lead in Washington baseball history but I know the 12,000 Senator fans at Griffith stadium left the ball park shaking their heads in disgust after watching the Senators waste a 10 run lead. *June 12, 1938 – In the rubber match of a three game series …

Continue reading

Fan Favorite Chad Cordero to throw out first pitch

In honor of Chad Cordero throwing out the first pitch before this evening’s game between the Atlanta Braves and division leading Washington Nationals I thought I would post a couple stories from our archives and one from Marty Niland who posted a wonderful story about The Chief at MASN’s Nats Buzz.. Chad Cordero Memories by …

Continue reading