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 …
Jun 09
Nats face thier own Test of Champions
Just like California Chrome coming off his Preakness victory in mid May, the Nationals finally seem to be rounding into form. They have won seven of their past nine games, outscoring opponents 53-16. The bats have been hot, with the fifth best OPS in the National League at .737 since the start of the month. …
Jun 06
6 June 1944 D-Day
The 100th anniversary of the D-Day invasion is now but 30 years in the future. On that date a time capsule will be opened at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The sacrifice of those who participated is remembered today. The Allied invasion force, from the Navy, Army and Air Force, comprises nearly 400,000 …
