Now that the starting lineups have been announced and the rosters filled, Washington is abuzz about the 89th major league All-Star game. Many historians will tell you will that the July 17th game will be the fifth All-Star meeting in the nation’s capital, the first since 1969, and they’d be technically correct. However, each summer …
Jul 02
Celebrating baseball’s evolution and sense of community
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden’s baseball roots aren’t in Washington, but she knows the sense of pride that baseball fans in the nation’s capital feel toward their team and national pastime. “They represent the capital, and the team in the capital, and this is the all-American game,” she said, previewing the Library of Congress’ new …
Jun 25
Legendary catcher Berg’s story comes to life on screen
Moe Berg is known as a man who possibly changed history, although the former Washington Senators catcher is best remembered for decidedly non-baseball skills. Anyone who has visited the International Spy Museum has likely seen Berg’s photo and read his story, and some who have been inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., may have seen …
Jun 11
Paul Casanova displayed his tenacity in historic contest
Endurance is the most remarkable trait of professional athletes. Whether it’s Alex Ovechkin grinding through 13 NHL seasons before winning the Stanley Cup or Max Scherzer powering through eight innings to strike out 13 batters, remarkable displays of strength and stamina make for compelling competition. On June 12, 1967, 41 years ago Tuesday, Senators catcher …
Jun 04
McMullen draws birthday love from DC fans
Washington baseball fans still love Ken McMullen. The former Senators third baseman’s 76th birthday was June 1, and there were dozens of likes and comments on a post recognizing the occasion on two DC Baseball History Facebook pages. The post included a photo of McMullen wearing a Senators uniform, in a fielding pose and wearing …
May 28
The team that almost moved to Washington in 1973
Imagine if the names of franchise greats inscribed on the mezzanine of Nationals Park included Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith and Willie McCovey. What if, instead of tracing its roots back to Montreal, Washington’s baseball team had its origins in San Diego? It might have happened if the dreams of Washington baseball fans 45 summers ago …
May 21
Soto joins ranks of teen phenoms to play in Washington
The newest Washington National, Juan Soto, got a nice ovation Sunday when he came to bat in the eighth inning as the youngest player currently in the major leagues at age 19. He struck out in his debut, but with the Nats lineup currently decimated by injuries, there will be plenty of opportunities for Soto …
May 14
Adams’ home run tear conjures memories of Howard’s historic streak in 1968
Nationals fans are hopeful again, with the club coming off 6-1 road trip and threatening to return to the top of the National League East standings. One key has been the powerful bat of Matt Adams, who homered seven times in five games from May 1 through the May 7 win over San Diego. A …
May 13
Leppert isn’t being treated like an All-Star now
Op-Ed – By Doug Gladstone Naples’ Don Leppert made the All-Star Game in 1963, when he was a member of the Washington Senators. Too bad he isn’t being treated like an All-Star now. Leppert, who resides on Sunrise Cay, was part of a generation of men who helped grow the game and usher in free …
May 07
Myer finally gets the spotlight in Hall of Stars induction
Sunday was a great day for Washington sports. Before celebrating the Nationals’ first walk-off victory of 2018, fans at Nationals Park got to see another set of local heroes inducted to the Washington Hall of Stars. In addition to fairly recent greats, like basketball stars Len Bias, Grant Hill and Walt Williams, came Buddy Myer, …
