This Date in Washington Senators History

February 26 Senators Birthdays Donald Edward Lee B Feb. 26, 1934 Still Living Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in late June of 1956, pitcher Don Lee would mak e his major league debut with Detroit in 1957. Appearing in 11 games, Lee would post a 1-3 record with a 4.66 ERA. Lee would pitch …

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This Date in Washington Senators History

February 25 Senators Birthdays James Millard Hayes B Feb. 25, 1912 D Nov. 27, 1963 Senators Short Timer Jim Hayes would be on the Senators roster for almost 1 month in July and August of 1935. Pitching in 7 games, Hayes would post a 2-4 record and depart the Senators, and the majors, with an …

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1969 Spring Training -The Entire Story

Originally posted 12 years ago. “Bob Short’s Picnic Table Diplomacy” 1969 Spring Training 1969′s spring training may have been the most unique in Washington baseball history. Change abounded. The club sported a new owner, Robert E. Short, a celebrity manager, Ted Williams, and even new uniforms (the elegant navy blue pinstripes replaced by gleaming white …

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ONCE UP A DIAMOND, Senators wore spikes

ONCE UP A DIAMOND, Senators wore spikes. They played at a ballpark even though it was called a stadium. Griffith Stadium. In the early fifties, folks came by car and by trolley. They paid $2.50 for a box seat. A dime for a scorecard. A quarter for a coke. Same for a hot dog – …

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The New Park Keeper

February 6, 1912 The Washington Times reports that Fred Fitzgerald, the “new park keeper” has arrived in town. Among the changes contemplated by Griffith and to be implemented by Fitzgerald: The pitcher’s box will be lowered, and the plate heightened, which will put the whole diamond on the level in place of the turtle back …

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This Date in Washington Senators History

February 24 Senators Birthdays James Champlin Osteen B Feb. 24, 1877 D Dec. 14, 1962 Shortstop Champ Osteen joined the Washington Senators in mid-September of 1903 after being drafted from Davenport of the Three-I (Indiana-Illinois-Iowa) League. Appearing in 10 games for the Senators, Osteen would be 8-40 at bat with 2 triples and 4 RBIs. …

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This Date in Washington Senators History

February 23 Senators Birthdays Today we add to the ranks of “Senators Short Timers” with 3 players who collectively would play in less than 300 games in a Senators uniform. Robert Anthony Boken B Feb. 23, 1908 D Oct. 6, 1988 Infielder Bob Boken joined the Senators in April of 1933 as a 25 year …

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The Man With The Big Chaw

By Jeff Stuart Rocky Bridges was almost instantly recognizable for the huge tobacco chaw inside his left cheek. Only Nellie Fox of the White Sox came close to matching that tobacco swell. Born with the first name of Everett, he got the name “Rocky” from a minor league announcer in Greenville, SC when he played …

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This Date in Washington Senators History

February 22 Senators Birthdays Rinold George Duren, Jr. B Feb. 22, 1929  D Jan. 6, 2011 Almost everyone of a certain age remembers Ryne Duren-the “Coke bottle” glasses, his reputation for wildness and hard throwing and his wild-partying ways. Duren was first signed by the St. Louis Browns before the 1949 season. By the time …

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Big Train’s Throw Across the Rappahannock River

February 22, 1936 Originally posted on Feb,22, 2008 Fredericksburg, Virginia To celebrate George Washington’s 204th birthday the town of Fredericksburg planned a daylong celebration. To cap off the day the city invited baseball legend Walter Johnson to duplicate George Washington’s legendary throw of a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River. As the story goes U.S. …

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