The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, located in Delaware County, PA, is a non-profit museum with the purpose of celebrating the life and career of Mickey himself and the athletes of his home county. It is funded strictly by donations. Mickey Vernon died on September 24, 2008. Two months before he died, he and I were taking a trip to …
May 15
Flashback: Harper’s Shot Recalls Another D.C Phenom’s First Homer
Bryce Harper ensured his place in Washington baseball history even before he became the youngest major leaguer since 1998 to hit a home run. At 19 years, 211 days old, Harper isn’t even old enough to buy a drink to celebrate his more than 400-foot blast off San Diego Padres starter Tim Stauffer, which came …
May 15
Bam Bam Harper?
May 14
Back Home, Nats Hope to Keep Offense Going
For most teams, a .500 road trip is a god thing. But as the Nationals return from a pair of series in which they lost their starting catcher for the season and blew two close games, their fans can’t help thinking of what was lost and what might have been. The loss of Wilson Ramos, …
May 14
Here a fan there a fan everywhere a fan
The 1878 baseball season opens with a 13 to 1 victory by the National Baseball Club over the visiting Baltimore “Cracks.” About six hundred people paid the entrance fee required, and the house tops, fences and trees in the vicinity are filled with spectators, who greet every good play with loud and impartial applause. The …
May 08
Nats Move on Without Werth; Zim’s Back; LaRoche a Maybe
After winning an intense showdown with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Nationals will take on yet another new look as they head to Pittsburgh for a three-game series with the Pirates, starting tonight. The three-game set with the Phillies lived up to its billing, as the Nats won a thrilling 11-inning game on Friday, a laugher …
May 08
Washington baseball fans go after O’Day
On August 20, 1895 the Cleveland Spiders defeat the Washington Senators 8-7. This game features two well known players. Win Mercer in the box and Hank O’Day behind the plate, each at the start of their respective careers. Win Mercer is in his second season. At 21, with 17 wins in his rookie season, he …
May 08
UMPS CARE Charities Online Auction
UMPS CARE Charities was established by Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need. Through our youth-based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising …
May 07
Out of the Stadium — Into World Records
With Opening Day just past and still savoring the thrills and excitement of my first day as batboy, I was again taking advantage of the two-day excuse from school that my guidance counselor had granted. Stepping onto the streetcar and dropping my token into the coin box, I was again on my way to Griffith …
May 06
Buckmania
Buck Freeman’s return to the District in 1898 created a wave of Buckmania. The bleachers were quickly renamed Bucksville and fans were in awe of his long home runs. On 12 October 1899 in a 9-7 loss to New York Buck Freeman hits his 25th and last home run of the season. In doing so …