Category: D.C. Baseball History

D.C. Baseball History

This Date in Washington Senators History – Walter Johnson has Surgery

February 27 1908 In Fullerton, California, Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson is operated on for an infection of themastoid area behind the right ear. The doctors remove a section of the bone, and the recuperation will keep Johnson sidelined until late May. Despite his late start in the season, Johnson (See November 6th birthdays.) will …

Continue reading

The Good Guys Wore White

Originally posted on 4/8/2012 During the first 66 years of the 20th Century, most major league baseball teams wore sparkling white flannel uniforms for their home games, and gray uniforms on the road. There were exceptions. For instance, the 1906-09 Washington Nationals wore dark blue uniform pants and jersey tops on the road, but aside …

Continue reading

Del Unser: A Class Act

By Jeff Stuart After the Senators left Washington after the 1971 season, I had scant interest in baseball, though I made a few yearly trips up 1-95 to Memorial Stadium and tuned in at playoff time. The 1980 National League play-off series between the Phillies and Astros remains a personal favorite. It wasn’t because the …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

February 26 Senators Birthdays Donald Edward Lee B Feb. 26, 1934 Still Living Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in late June of 1956, pitcher Don Lee would mak e his major league debut with Detroit in 1957. Appearing in 11 games, Lee would post a 1-3 record with a 4.66 ERA. Lee would pitch …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

February 25 Senators Birthdays James Millard Hayes B Feb. 25, 1912 D Nov. 27, 1963 Senators Short Timer Jim Hayes would be on the Senators roster for almost 1 month in July and August of 1935. Pitching in 7 games, Hayes would post a 2-4 record and depart the Senators, and the majors, with an …

Continue reading

1969 Spring Training -The Entire Story

Originally posted 12 years ago. “Bob Short’s Picnic Table Diplomacy” 1969 Spring Training 1969′s spring training may have been the most unique in Washington baseball history. Change abounded. The club sported a new owner, Robert E. Short, a celebrity manager, Ted Williams, and even new uniforms (the elegant navy blue pinstripes replaced by gleaming white …

Continue reading

ONCE UP A DIAMOND, Senators wore spikes

ONCE UP A DIAMOND, Senators wore spikes. They played at a ballpark even though it was called a stadium. Griffith Stadium. In the early fifties, folks came by car and by trolley. They paid $2.50 for a box seat. A dime for a scorecard. A quarter for a coke. Same for a hot dog – …

Continue reading

The New Park Keeper

February 6, 1912 The Washington Times reports that Fred Fitzgerald, the “new park keeper” has arrived in town. Among the changes contemplated by Griffith and to be implemented by Fitzgerald: The pitcher’s box will be lowered, and the plate heightened, which will put the whole diamond on the level in place of the turtle back …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

February 24 Senators Birthdays James Champlin Osteen B Feb. 24, 1877 D Dec. 14, 1962 Shortstop Champ Osteen joined the Washington Senators in mid-September of 1903 after being drafted from Davenport of the Three-I (Indiana-Illinois-Iowa) League. Appearing in 10 games for the Senators, Osteen would be 8-40 at bat with 2 triples and 4 RBIs. …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

February 23 Senators Birthdays Today we add to the ranks of “Senators Short Timers” with 3 players who collectively would play in less than 300 games in a Senators uniform. Robert Anthony Boken B Feb. 23, 1908 D Oct. 6, 1988 Infielder Bob Boken joined the Senators in April of 1933 as a 25 year …

Continue reading