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Orth’s odd play helps the Senators beat Indians

July 7, 1903. In the 5th inning, Senators’ pitcher Al Orth was at third base after a triple to center field. Washington’s Charlie Moran hit a line drive that was caught by Cleveland first baseman Charlie “Piano Legs” Hickman. Unfortunately, Orth was halfway toward home and Hickman threw behind the runner. Unfortunately for Hickman, his throw …

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Almost Perfect – Big Train’s No Hitter

Washington’s Walter Johnson almost pitched perfect game during his July 1, 1920 no-hit game against the Boston Red Sox. I was amazed to find out that the Big Train missed pitching a perfect game by one error. The Big Train pitched a perfect game through six innings. In the bottom of the seventh inning Boston’s …

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Trouble at Home

It is the tenth of July in the hot summer of 1879. Washington is home, hosting the nine from Holyoke. Both teams play in the National Association. The Nationals boys seem to have recovered their batting qualities, and the way they pounded Mickey Welch shows that they are capable of handling any pitcher if they …

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Nats pull off Triple Steal

May 12, 1927 — In the third inning of an eventual loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park, Washington’s Tris Speaker, Sam West and Joe Judge pulled off one of baseball’s rarities — a triple steal. Speaker, taking advantage of Chicago right-hander Ted Blankenship‘s deliberate windup, broke from third base and easily beat Blankenship’s toss to the …

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Catch and Throw – Nats Web Gems

By Jeff Stuart “A good friend of mine used to say, ‘This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.’ Think about that for a while.” Nuke Laloosh in the Movie BULL DURHAM Sometimes the game is …

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Locker room reporting

For years the Philadelphia Phillies’ clubhouse was deemed hostile. When Steve Carlton refused to talk to Tom Boswell of the Washington Post, Boswell interviewed Calrton’s locker. Carlton warned Boswell never to do this again. A reporter risked his life talking to Gil Hodges locker area. Gil’s faithful companion, Gina was on guard. Hodges rewarded Gina …

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Veterans Day Special – Negro League Baseball in D.C. during WWII

From 1939 to 1945 the Homestead Grays played a lot of their home game at Griffith Stadium when the Washington Senators were out of town. The Grays drew some very large crowds when the team played at Griffith Stadium. The local fans wanted to see the Grays’ exciting brand of baseball. With stars like Josh …

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Not Caring If We Ever Get Back

By Jeff Stuart In the June 13, 1967 edition of the Washington Star Morris Siegel reported that a fan from Silver Spring had called the Senators’ public relations department that morning. “Please, please tell her (his wife) the game went 22 innings and didn’t end until nearly 3:00 A.M,” he pleaded. When told it was …

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The Great Grasshopper

In 1887 Sporting Life lists an All Star line-up from a noted Boston crank. Here is the list, Jim Whitney, P; Charlie Bennett, C; Cap Anson, lb; Hardy Richardson, 2b; Buck Ewing, 3b.; John Ward, SS; Jim O’Rourke. Lf; Paul Hines, Cf; Sam Thompson, Rf. Pretty good nine! But Jim Whitney? You may well ask. …

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This Date in Washington Senators History

February 7 Senators Birthdays Baldomero (Mel) Almada B Feb. 7, 1913 D Aug. 13, 1988 Mexican born outfielder Mel Almada made his way to the major leagues in September of 1933, first playing for the Boston Red Sox. Almada’s first full season of play would be 1935, when he’d hit .290 in 151 games. Traded …

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