On April 30, 1901, Charles Clarke, a resident of 740 “H” Street in Northeast Washington was arrested after picking up a foul ball that flew over the grandstand at American League Park and onto Trinidad Avenue. Clarke, described by the Washington Post as weighing over 200 pounds, retrieved the ball and ran to “I” Street, turned west …
Oct 15
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, …
Oct 13
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 …
Oct 08
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 …
Sep 11
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 …
May 04
The Great Grasshopper
In 1887 Sporting Life lists an All Star line-up from a noted Boston crank. Here is the list, Jim Whitney, P; Charlie Bennett, C; Cap Anson, lb; Hardy Richardson, 2b; Buck Ewing, 3b.; John Ward, SS; Jim O’Rourke. Lf; Paul Hines, Cf; Sam Thompson, Rf. Pretty good nine! But Jim Whitney? You may well ask. …
Apr 03
My Almost Unbelievable Story
As the baseball season swings into action, just the thought of all the excitement brings back so many of my fondest memories of Griffith Stadium. My almost unbelievable baseball story should commence by saying that as a kid, I was a baseball nut. I loved watching the Washington Senators play and every chance that I …
Mar 30
Nats debut at Nationals Park a memorable one
March 30, 2008 The Washington Nationals made their debut at the new Nationals Park a special one. The Nationals 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves was the team’s first opening day victory since the team moved to Washington D.C. in 2005. The young Nationals showed a lot of poise when they were able to keep …
Sep 28
This Date in Washington Senators History – Senators deny Denny McLain of his 32nd win
September 28 1949 Clinging to 1st place, the Red Sox head into the 9th in Washington nursing a 1-0 edge. Red Sox manager Joe McCarthy, taking no chances, summons Nat killer Mel Parnell to close it. With nothing to play for, the Nats rally to hand the Red Sox a crushing loss, 2-1. Parnell’s wild …
Sep 28
This Date in D.C. Baseball History – Senators Beat Yankees in 4 Hit Shutout, 5-0
September 28, 1941 The end of the regular season is always bittersweet. In years like this, more bitter than sweet. But, looking back, there is a particular poignancy to the end of the 1941 season. First, it was a tremendous season, perhaps the best in baseball history, featuring DiMaggio’s streak, Williams’ .400 season …