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 …
Feb 24
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 – …
Feb 24
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 …
Feb 24
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. …
Feb 23
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 …
Feb 23
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 …
Feb 22
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 …
Feb 22
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. …
Feb 21
This Date in Washington Senators History – Ted Williams returns to baseball full-time
February 21 1969 Ted Williams returns to baseball full-time, signing a five-year contract to manage the Washington Senators. Senators Birthdays Joseph Anthony Foy B Feb. 21, 1943 D Oct. 12, 1989 Originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins before the start of the 1962 season, Joe Foy would be drafted by the Boston Red Sox in …
Feb 20
This Date in Washington Senators History
February 20 Senators Birthdays Edgar Charles (Sam) Rice B Feb. 20, 1890 D Oct. 13, 1974 Hall Of Famer Sam Rice should need no introduction-a Senator from 1915 through 1933, played on all 3 pennant winning teams for Washington, hit over .300 in 14 of the 20 seasons he played. Originally joining the Senators in …
