This Date in Washington Senators History

November 15 Senator Managers Joe Cronin, 1933-1934 Record as Senator Manager: 165-139, .543 Teams Managed 1933: 99-53 .651 1st AL Pennant 1934: 66-86 .434 7th Owner Clark Griffith felt his club was on the cusp of the pennant and needed the right man to push his team over the top. There wasn’t really any doubt …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History

November 14 Senator Managers Walter Johnson, 1929-1932 Record as Senator Manager: 350-264, .570 Pct. Teams managed 1929: 71-81 .467 5th 1930: 94-60 .610 2nd 1931: 92-62 .597 3rd 1932: 93-61 .604 3rd To blunt a possible public relations fallout for the dismissal of the popular Bucky Harris, Clark Griffith choose a man who was more …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History – Senators League Leaders in Pitching

November 13 Senators League leaders in pitching Wins 1913 Walter Johnson 36 1914 Walter Johnson 28 1915 Walter Johnson 27 1916 Walter Johnson 25 1918 Walter Johnson 23 1924 Walter Johnson 23 1932 Alvin Crowder 26 1933 Alvin Crowder 24 1953 Bob Porterfield 22 ERA 1912 Walter Johnson 1.39 1913 Walter Johnson 1.14 1918 Walter …

Continue reading

This Date in Washington Senators History – Senator League Leaders in Batting

November 12 Senator League Leaders in Batting Batting Average 1928 Goose Goslin .379 1935 Buddy Myer .349 1946 Mickey Vernon .346 1953 Mickey Vernon .337 Home Runs 1959 Harmon Killebrew 42, tied for 1st 1968 Frank Howard 44 1970 Frank Howard 44 RBI 1924 Goose Goslin 129 1957 Roy Sievers 114 1970 Frank Howard 126 …

Continue reading

Veterans Day Special – James “Jimmy” Trimble III

During work on an article on the connection between Washington baseball and Japan I came upon the story of Mr. James, “Jimmy” Trimble. While some have read about him, I found it compelling enough to submit it. Trimble played for St. Albans was the best high school pitcher in the District. A natural athlete he …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

Beware of Bats and Balls

September 29, 1943 Washington D.C At Griffith stadium the 2nd place Washington Senators (82-67) and the 3rd place Cleveland Indians (79-69) are scheduled to play a twi-night doubleheader. During the first game the Senators held a 6-1 lead over the Indians. In the top of the ninth inning the Indians’ third baseman Ken Keltner hit …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

Young Phenoms, Now and Then

By Jeff Stuart and Phil Hochberg Every club has hopes on opening day of the baseball season. It is a similar kind of hope and sense of renewal that takes place when a highly regarded young prospect makes his major league debut. But you never know. The play’s the thing. On April 28, 2011, Bryce …

Continue reading