The Beginning of the Griffith Era

October 30, 1911 After meeting with the Washington Senators board of directors, Clark Griffith is named manager of the Washington Senators baseball club. It is also announced that Clark Griffith became the largest stockholder of the club when he purchased 10% of the club’s stock. The Senators’ new skipper will have his hands full as …

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At the Ballpark, Nixon was Unimpeachable

By Jeff Stuart Far from the highs and lows of a tumultuous life in politics, Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, found refuge at the ballpark. As a kid I saw the then Vice President several times walking in what passed for a concourse at Griffith Stadium. To me, his smile seemed …

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Mikey, We Hardly Knew You

By Jeff Stuart “I can’t develop personal relationships with these guys. I gotta be able to trade ’em, send ’em down, sometimes cut them. Which is something you should learn to do, by the way. They’re professional ball players. Just be straight with them. No fluff, just facts. ‘Pete, I gotta let you go. Jack’s …

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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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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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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. …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Gil Hodges in Washington

By Jeff Stuart It was fifty odd years ago today Gil Hodges taught the gang to play. The legendary Dodger great Gil Hodges, acquired from the New York Mets in return for outfielder Jim Piersall, took over the helm of the Senators just 40 games into the 1963 Season. While the club lost a franchise …

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