March 16 1953 American League owners turn down a bid made by Bill Veeck to move the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore. The “reason”-not enough time before the start of the season. Led by Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith, the owners vote 6 – 2 against the move. (The move would be made 2 days …
Mar 15
This Date in Washington Senators History
March 15 1944 In accordance with wartime travel restrictions the Washington Senators train at the University of Maryland. The Senators enter camp with 6 knuckleball pitchers on their spring training roster: Alex Carrasquel, Mickey Haefner, Dutch Leonard, Bill Lefebvre, Johnny Niggleing and Roger Wolff. Haefner, Leonard, Niggeling and Wolff all are selected for the starting …
Mar 15
Wounded Veteran gets a Try Out
March 15, 1945 College Park, MD – Bert Shepard, a one legged veteran of World War II, tries out as a pitcher for the Washington Senators. The Senators owner Clark Griffith was so impressed with Shepard that he hired him as the team’s pitching coach. During the 1945 spring training Shepard with his artificial leg …
Mar 14
This Date in Washington Senators History
March 14 Senators Birthdays John Wyeth (Red) Marion B Mar. 14, 1914 D Mar. 13, 1975 Senators Short Timer Red Marion spent 2 distinct stints with Washington separated by 7 years. First arriving in the majors in mid-September of 1935, outfielder Marion would appear in 4 games, going 2 for 11 with a double and …
Mar 13
This Date in Washington Senators History
March 13 Senators Birthdays Bruno Block (Born James John Blochowicz) B Mar. 13, 1885 D Aug. 6, 1937 Catcher Bruno Block came to the major leagues in early August of 1907, playing in 24 games for the Washington Senators, hitting .140 in 57 AB. Out of the majors in 1908 and 1909, Block would return …
Mar 12
This Date in Washington Senators History
March 12 Senators Birthdays Joseph William Engel B Mar. 12, 1893 D Jun. 12, 1969 Washington, DC native Joe Engel arrived in the major leagues in late May of 1912. A pitcher, Engel began his career with the Washington Senators posting a 2-5 record in 17 games in his rookie season. Engel would go 8-9 …
Aug 26
This Date in Washington Senators History – 1923 Nats payback Indians 20-8
August 24 1913 – With the Senators ahead, 2-1, in the bottom of the 9th, two Chicago baserunners reach base off Walter Johnson. With two on and two outs, Johnson’s 13 game winning streak looks to be in peril with Eddie Collins strolling to the plate. The Big Train is up to the task and …
Jul 27
Willingham’s Two Grand Slams
July 27, 2009 Josh “The Hammer” Willingham accomplished a very rare feat when he became only the 13th player in major league baseball history to hit two grand slams in one game. Willingham’s first grand slam came off of the Brewers’ starting pitcher Jeff Suppan in the fifth inning. The second grand slam occurred only …
May 16
This Date in Washington Senators History -Cecil Travis collects 5 hits in his ML debut
May 16 1921 – Led by the bat of Ty Cobb, who pounds out 4 hits, scores 4 runs and swipes a base, the Tigers complete a 3 game sweep of the Nats in Detroit by a 17-11 score. Senators pitching gives up 33 runs in the series. 1930 – The Senators sweep a twin …