April 24 1923 – President Warren G. Harding witnesses the first shutout thrown at Yankee Stadium. The victims were the Washington Senators, who lose 4-0 to the Yankees. Babe Ruth homers for the victors. The Senators would end the season in 4th place with a 75-78 record. Senators Birthday Harry Harper B April 24, 1895 …
Apr 23
This Date in Washington Senators History – Johnson pitches his 5th Opening Day shutout
April 23 1903 – The New York Highlanders won their first major-league game with a 7-2 decision over the Washington Senators. Pitcher Harry Howell gets the win for New York. 1919 – Walter Johnson records his 5th Opening Day shutout, defeating the Philadelphia Athletics 1-0 in 13 innings. Click here for the Box Score. 1969 …
Apr 22
This Date in Washington Senators History
April 22 1903 – The American League’s New York Highlanders, the relocated Baltimore Orioles, make their debut in Washington, losing to the Senators by a score of 3-1. Jack Chesbro is charged with the loss for New York. 1959 – In Griffith Stadium, the New York Yankees’ Whitey Ford pitches 14 innings, striking out 15 …
Apr 21
This Date in Washington Senators History – Berg extends errorless streak to 117 games
April 21 1934 Senators receiver Morris (Moe) Berg extends his errorless streak to 117 games, setting a new American League record for catchers. 1961 “Old vs. New” Major league baseball debuts in Minnesota with the expansion Senators facing the Minnesota Twins, last year’s Washington Senators. The new guys win it, 5-3. Joe McClain ups his …
Apr 20
A Gamble that Payed Off
By Jeff Stuart In the summer of 1957, my mother – who did not like baseball – came home from a Senators promotional event one day with a baseball autographed by Roy Sievers. My brother Chris and I almost immediately took the ball outside and played with it.I have no idea how many hours of …
Apr 20
This Date in Washington Senators History – Gedeon’s plane is shot down
April 20 1944 –Elmer John Gedeon, an outfielder who played in 5 games with the 1939 Senators, is killed when his Army Air Corps plane is shot down over St. Pol, France. He was the first major leaguer to be killed in WWII and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (See April 15th birthday.) Senators …
Apr 20
President Truman Greeted by Boo-Birds
On this day in 1951 the Washington Senators invited Harry S. Truman the 33rd President of the United States of America to throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener on April 20, 1951. The President who is baseball fan accepts the invitation. The President must have been aware that he may not …
Apr 19
This Date in Washington Senators History
April 19 1920 Al Schacht, who later became the “Clown Prince of Baseball,” was all business as he pitched the Senators to a 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. 1961 The expansion Senators lose their first road game in Chicago by a score of 6-1. Former Senators pitcher Early (Gus) Wynn gets the 286th victory …
Apr 18
This Date in Washington Senators History
April 18 1960 – Playing their last season in Washington, the original Senators start the season with a 10-1 win over the Boston Red Sox. Ted Williams, playing in his last season, would hit a 500 foot home run in his first at bat, giving him a career total of 493, tying him with Lou …
Apr 17
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
By Jeff Stuart In their inaugural 2005 season the Washington Nationals played exceptionally well for the first half of the season. At the mid-season point, after winning 9 of 10 and sweeping the Pirates at home and the Cubs in Chicago, their record stood at 51-30. They were in first place on July 4. Then …