James Barton “Mickey” Vernon who was born on April 22, 1918 in Marcus Hook, PA, made his Major League and Washington Senator debut on July 8, 1939. In his first game Vernon went 1 for 5 at the plate and played first base as the Senators beat the Philadelphia Athletics 6-3. During the rest of …
Category: D.C. Baseball History
D.C. Baseball History
Mar 18
IN THE SPRING…
“IN THE SPRING A YOUNG MAN’S FANCY LIGHTLY TURNS TO THOUGHTS OF LOVE”.….and baseball! The great, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate of the UK, penned these famous words in his poem, Locksley Hall….and as baseball players and fans for many generations have added…..and baseball! With the 2012 spring training season “just around the corner” I …
Jan 06
This Day in D.C. Baseball History
Twins Executive Vice President Joe Haynes suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow at his Hopkins , Minnesota home on January 6, 1967 and died at the age of 49. Haynes was signed by the Washington Senators as a free agent in 1937. During spring training in 1938 Haynes met and became smitten with Thelma …
Dec 29
Our Top Ten popular stories in 2013
NUMBER 10 Speak softly and carry a Big Stick by Mark Hornbaker This past February at the D.C. Baseball History Winter Meeting the first hour of the meeting was set aside for the attendees to introduce themselves and to share a piece of their Washington baseball memorabilia with the group. I would say half of …
Dec 21
Remembering Josh Gibson on his Birthday
On this day in the year 1911, Mark and Nancy Gibson became the proud parents of a baby boy named Joshua Gibson. Joshua spent the first ten years of his life in Buena Vista, Georgia where life wasn’t easy. At time his parents worked as sharecroppers in the fields throughout Georgia. In 1921, Joshua’s father …
Sep 11
Span extends hit streak to 21 games
Last night at Citi Field, Denard Span extended his hit streak to 21 games as the Nationals beat the New York Mets 6-3. By extending his hit streak to 21 games Span became only the 11th player in Washington D.C. baseball history to have a hit streak of 21 games or more. The Nats center …
Jul 28
Gunshots from inside Fenway Park
Here is a true story about Ted Williams that might be of interest to DC baseball fans. One year, possibly 1941 although I don’t know that for certain, the Washington Senators would arrive early at Fenway Park in Boston for batting practice and were surprised to hear gunshots from inside Fenway Park! As it turned …
Jul 13
The Nationals Great Western Tour Begins
On July 13, 1867 the Washington Nationals baseball team that was made up by mostly government workers and were led by second baseman George Wright, played their first game of the their western tour. The Nationals could not have asked for a better start to their great tour as they beat up the Capital Club …
Jul 02
Ed Delahanty Where are You? Part 2
5 July This is the latest on Delahanty. “Ed Delahanty, the right fielder of the Washington baseball club, has deserted the Loftus forces, and no one connected with the team knows his whereabouts. Not even his wife, who is in this city anxiously awaiting his appearance, can throw any light upon his strange conduct. Last …
