May 28
On May 28, 1941 the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators played in the first night game under the lights at Griffith Stadium. The first night game at Griffith Stadium was a big deal. The Washington Senators invited Walter “Big Train” Johnson to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. It was actually the Big …
May 27
973 – Hope is raised for baseball fans in D.C. as San Diego Padres owner C. Arnholdt Smith announces tindexhat he is selling the Padres to Washington grocery chain owner Joseph Danzansky. Danzansky announces that he will move the Padres to Washington in time for the 1974 season. Despite the Padres having the lowest attendance in the NL for the first 5 seasons of their existence, NL owners stall on a vote to move the team, wishing not to abandon the San Diego market. After eight months of backroom dealing, politics, lawsuits, double dealing and general turmoil, Danzansky withdraws his offer and the Pads are sold to McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc.
May 27
On May 27, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sets aside four hours to attend a special baseball “Mickey Vernon-Red Cross Day” game that afternoon at Griffith Stadium. What made this game a special game for the 34th President of the United States of America, was that he was there to present his favorite ball player …
May 26
1930 – The Senators reach their high water mark of the year with a 10-7 shootout win over the Yanks in New York. Joe Judge and Goose Goslin accomplish a major league first by homering back-to-back twice in the same ballgame. The first place Sens move to 26-10, 4 games ahead of second place Philadelphia.
May 25
May 25 1908 – An unusual occurrence happens in today’s game in the nation’s capital. Detroit scores an unearned run in the 3rd against Sens P “Sleepy” Bill Burns, but do not collect a hit until there are 2 out in the 9th inning. The future middle man in the 1919 World Series fix, “Sleepy” …
May 24
May 24 1901 – After yesterday’s 9th inning meltdown by the Nats in Cleveland, Washington turns the tables with a 5 run top of the 9th to tie the Blues. The rally does not result in a win, as the game is called with the score knotted at 5. 1917 – Pale Hose P Reb …
May 23
1963 – New Nats manager Gil Hodges is acquired in a trade from the Mets for OF Jimmy Piersall. Hodges arrives in Baltimore just in time to watch the Orioles’ Robin Roberts 2 hit the Sens 6-0. Senators starter Claude Osteen is battered for 6 runs and 7 hits in 2.1 innings of work. Light hitting SS Ed Brinkman gets the only 2 hits off of Roberts.
May 22
1953 – Sparked by OF Clyde Vollmer‘s 3 run double and 2 run homer, the Senators pound Yankee pitching for 18 hits in a 12-4 Senators rout. In the top of the 9th, Yanks OF Irv Noren lines into a game ending triple play. Former Yankee farmhand Bob Porterfield pitches the CG.
May 21
May 21 1913 – Trailing Cleveland 2-0 in the top of the 9th, Washington’s Alva “Rip” Williams ties the contest with a 2 run, pinch HR. After the Sens score 2 more in the top of the 10th, Walter Johnson is bought in to seal the 4-2 victory. 1925 – The Big Train goes 3 …
May 20
1962 – The Sens and Kansas City A’s split a doubleheader in D.C. Claude Osteen‘s solid start goes for naught as he surrenders a ninth inning homer to Manny Jimenez for a 1-0 A’s win in the opener. The Sens avoid the broom by pulling out a 7-5 victory in the second game.
