So many years have passed since the nation’s capital last hosted baseball’s All-Star game that most people have forgotten the unique, unforgettable events that took place before and during the 1969 midsummer classic as well as one of the many fiascos one Robert E. Short committed during his sad, incompetent tenure as the Washington Senators’ …
Jul 21
Nats hit milestones on an historic date
As America commemorated 45 years since the first human steps on the moon Sunday, the Washington Nationals were celebrating some milestones and anniversaries of their own on the way to their 53rd victory of 2013, a 5-4 walk-off win over Milwaukee. Gio Gonzalez labored through one of his more difficult starts of the season, but …
Jul 02
George Wagner vs. John H Roche
It is the summer of 1893; the nation is in the grip of an economic depression. The status of the game in Washington is not well either. The National League’s second entry in Washington is in serious trouble. The Wagners have done poorly and in an attempt to generate more revenue they transfer games away …
Jun 30
Midseason report card: Improving Nats have a chance to move up
We’ve reached the midpoint of the 2014 season, and it’s time once again to grade the Nationals on their performance so far. This year, the team stands at 43-38, a half game behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. A year ago at this time, they were 41-40 and 6 1-2 games behind the …
Jun 27
1926 Washington Senators (Part 7)
Ty Cobb and his Tigers returned to Washington for their third and final series at Griffith Stadium in 1926. Cobb behaved himself – on the field. Before the first game he delivered a letter to the Washington Senators office, addressed to Griffith. The letter was clearly intended to get Griffith’s goat: “Dear Sir: “On our …
Jun 26
1926 Washington Senators (Part 6)
The two-time defending American League champs continued to play mediocre baseball at the beginning of the season’s second half. Manager Harris assured the sportswriters that the pennant race was far from over and the Nationals still had a solid chance. But after the fifth place Senators lost to Cleveland on July 19th, they fell ten …
Jun 26
Dick Heller Appreciation
On March 20, 2014, the Washington area lost one of its finest journalists when Dick Heller passed away due to complications from lung cancer. Dick started his career in journalism at the Alexandria Gazette, moved over to the Washington Evening Star, the Miami Herald and finally to the Washington Times. During the 33 years that …
Jun 23
Solstice brings potential defining moment for Nationals
The Summer Solstice is a day of celebration in many cultures, and now Nationals fans might want to adopt it as a holiday of their own after a magical and momentous series against the Atlanta Braves. Those who paid close enough attention Saturday evening might have actually noticed the Earth tilting and the momentum shifting …
Jun 16
Counting down the Nats’ ‘houses of horror’
Music fans of a certain age are mourning the death on Sunday of long-time radio host Casey Kasem. Long before the days of podcasts, teenagers and young adults would ritually tune in each week, usually on Sundays, to hear the genial Kasem count down the top 40 songs in the nation. Nationals fans, meanwhile, are …
