Category: Uncategorized

Opera Ball Players

Late April 1899. The Wagner’s continue to sell off their best players while the local nine habitats in the basement of the National League. For a brief moment the attention of the fans, cranks no more, turns to opera. The members of the Alice Nielsen Opera Company hugely enjoyed a couple of hours’ sport this …

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The 1948 Project – Whisper’s from Washington 2 June 1948

Ray Scarborough tosses five hitter. Bob Lemon was once again on the mound. He sat down the first eleven batters he faced. Then up came Gil Coan. Coan pumped a single into left, but didn’t tally there long. On the third pitch to Bud Stewart, Coan stole second and on the next pitch Coan came …

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Hot Stove topic – Starting Pitching

You never have enough pitching. Washington fans expected the starting pitching to be a strong suit last year. Washington ended up using ten starting pitchers. The starting four of Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez and Ross Detweiler returns for the 2014 campaign. The available in-house options for the fifth starter include Tanner Roark and …

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Letter from Arthur Irwin. 4 January 1899

The team’s manager, Arthur Irwin, sent the following letter to the press and it was published. Washington baseball enthusiasts would shortly suffer through their 8th season under the odious ownership of the wretched Wagner brothers. An interesting letter was received this morning from Manager Arthur Irwin of the Washington Base Ball Club, dated at Norfolk, …

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The 1948 Project – Whisper’s from Washington 26 May 1948

Sid Hudson and Tom Ferrick team up to shut Cleveland out with three hits tonight and leave the Indians’ 30,612 admirers less admiring by pitching the Nats to a 2-0 victory. Hudson has gotten off to a rough start, but today he was on top of his game. Player Profile – Sid Hudson Sid was …

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The 1948 Project – Whisper’s from Washington 25 May 1948

Lemon Whitewashes the Nats. Bob Lemon scatters six hits as the Indians win their nineteenth game while the Senators fall to 12-18. Al Kozar collects half of Washington’s four hits and helps turn a nifty double play in the second inning ending a potential rally. But Cleveland breaks the game open in the third. Once …

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A look at the Pre Season 1887 Senators

The following published in late March 1887, gives an interesting overview of the Washington nine by a correspondent from the Washington Star. The players of the Washington team who have reported for duty took advantage of every opportunity, during the past week, o limber up. The grounds were not in good condition, owing to the …

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What Krieg Says.

Interview with Bill Krieg in the Washington Critic on 22 June 1887. Washington is 14-24, on their way to another losing season. The cranks have become croakers and the team is losing the press too. Billy Krieg has returned to the city, having been ordered home by Manager John Gaffney. Considerable surprise was manifested by …

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The 1948 Project – Whisper’s from Washington 7 May 1948

Too much Lemon for Washington’s taste. Bob Lemon, the converted infielder/outfielder shut out Washington on just four hits while striking out eleven men. Lemon helped win his own game in the third inning with a ringing double to center field. The crowd was meager, the rain keeping many fans home. Maybe it was the weather …

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William Frederick Krieg

Bill Krieg got his first chance in the majors playing for Chicago/Pittsburgh Union clubs in 1884. He batted .247 in 71 games. He returned to the minors but spent time with two clubs in 1885, playing just 17 games. Krieg arrived in Washington as part of the so-called Hartford Five. Primarily a first baseman for …

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