D.C. Baseball History
Dec 10
December 10 Goodbye to the “Big Train”. Walter Johnson, one of the inaugural inductees to the Baseball Hall Of Fame, dies in Georgetown Hospital in Washington, DC. The 59 year old Johnson had been ailing for 6 months with a brain tumor. In 21 years in the major leagues, all with the Washington Senators, Johnson …
Dec 10
On this day in 1946, Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Perry Johnson succumbs to a brain tumor. The 59 year-old Johnson was diagnosed with the brain tumor eight months earlier when he traveled from his farm in Germantown to the Georgetown University Hospital complaining of severe headaches. The news about Johnson’s death was not a …
Dec 09
December 9 Senators Birthdays William Joseph Klaus B Dec. 9, 1928 D Dec. 3, 2006 Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians before the start of the 1946 season, Klaus’ signing would be voided 1 year later and he’d be signed by the Chicago Cubs. Drafted by Dallas of the Texas League in late 1949, Klaus …
Dec 08
December 8 Senators Birthdays Garrabrant Ryerson Alyea B Dec. 8, 1940 Still Living Originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 1962 season, Brant Alyea would be drafted by the expansion Senators in the fall of that year. Making a number of stops in the Senators organization, Alyea would get his first taste of …
Dec 07
December 7 Senators Birthdays Richard Edward Donovan B Dec. 7, 1927 D Jan. 6, 1997 Pitcher Dick Donovan would get a slow start in the major leagues. Signed by the Boston Braves before the 1947 season, Donovan would make brief appearances with the Braves in 1950, 51 & 52, appearing in a total of 25 …
Dec 06
December 6 Senators Birthdays Daniel John Dobbek B Dec. 6, 1934 Still Living Outfielder Dan Dobbek would debut with the original Senators in early September of 1959. Playing in 16 games, he’d hit .250. 1960 would be Dobbek’s most active year in the majors when he’d play in 110 games during the original Senators last …
Dec 05
December 5 Senators Birthdays Elmer Joseph Gedeon B Dec. 5, 1893 D May 19, 1941 Elmer Gedeon would make his major league debut with the Washington Senators in mid-May of 1913. Appearing in 29 games, Gedeon would play 2nd and 3rd base, shortstop, outfield and would even pitch 1/3rd of an inning. However, that versatility …
Dec 04
December 4, 1964 It is announced at the 1964 Baseball Winter Meetings that the Washington Senators and the Los Angeles Dodgers made a seven player blockbuster trade. It is announced that the Washington Senators traded 25 year old pitcher Claude Osteen and 23 year old shortstop John Kennedy for the following players, 28 year old …
Dec 04
December 4 1914 Walter Johnson accepts an advance from the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. Claiming he has paid Johnson for the reserve option on his contract, Clark Griffith threatens to take Johnson to court. Griffith then travels to Johnson’s home in Coffeyville, Kansas to talk to Johnson and persuade him that his contract …
Dec 03
December 3 Senators Birthdays Joseph Christopher Cleary B Dec. 3, 1918 D Jun. 3, 2004 One Game Wonder Joe Cleary made his only appearance with the Senators on August 4th of 1945. Joe’s nickname was “Fire”, probably most appropriate after his performance against the Boston Red Sox. In the second game of a double header, …
