Mickey Vernon’s Special Day

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 …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – 1930 Senators expand lead to 4 games

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.

This Date in Washington Senators History – Happy Birthday Joe Judge

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” …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – Don Lock’s walk-off Home Run

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 …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – New Nats manager Gil Hodges is acquired in a trade

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.

This Date in Washington Senators History

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.

Livan Hernandez and the Fine Art of Bunting

By Jeff Stuart It was the 10th inning of a 4-4 game on very hot Sunday afternoon, August 28, 2011 in Cincinnati. Chris Marrero had singled to start the inning and Jesus Flores, the catcher, also singled. Runners on first and second with nobody out. Manager Davey Johnson decided it was time for a bunt, …

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Not Caring If We Ever Get Back

By Jeff Stuart In the June 13, 1967 edition of the Washington Star Morris Siegel reported that a fan from Silver Spring had called the Senators’ public relations department that morning. “Please, please tell her (his wife) the game went 22 innings and didn’t end until nearly 3:00 A.M,” he pleaded. When told it was …

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Washington’s First Post Season Series

On 8 October 1880, an Inter-league playoff series is hastily arranged between the Washington Nationals, champions of the National Association and the Chicago White Stockings, champions of the National League. The games will be played in Washington and Baltimore. The National League Champion Chicago White Stockings The White Stockings finished first in the National League …

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Connie Mack’s Major League Debut

Cornelius Mack, also known as Connie Mack (catcher) made his major league debut on September 11, 1886 as a member of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals didn’t sign the 23-year old Mack because they needed a catcher. They signed Connie Mack to a contract because they needed a pitcher.In the summer of 1886 Washington Nationals …

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