The Big Sleep

We turn back the clock to the last baseball game played by a Washington team prior to the return of baseball in 2005. 10 October 1899 Washington 5 Baltimore 5 The Washington and Baltimore club played their last game of the season together today in the latter city, and after six innings of play the …

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Original National Jamey Carroll returns

One of the men who was on the field when baseball returned to Washington in 2005 for the first time in 34 seasons will be back in a Nationals uniform this spring. The Nationals signed 40-year-old Jamey Carroll to a minor league contract last week, a deal that included an invitation to spring training. The …

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Interview with Jack Doyle

Jack Doyle was smart, tough and one of the most respected players of his generation. Born in Killorglin, Ireland he went on to attend school at Fordham. This interview was written just after the Wagner’s had acquired him from Baltimore. His stay in Washington would be short; he would soon be sold to New York. …

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Mercer’s Nicknames

Win Mercer was a not only a good pitcher but a versatile player, being one of the fastest players of his day. He was a smart pitcher who kept a book on all the hitters. A correspondent writing to the Sporting Life from East Liverpool, Ohio, says: “While it is not generally known, the name …

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Warm Weather and talk turns to Baseball

Baseball fans sit and wait for the weather to turn, while some make plans for the trip down south to catch their team in the Grapefruit League. Once again Washington fans have reason to be optimistic. New arrivals like Jerry Blevens and Doug Fister should bolster a formidable line-up. Maybe Mr. Espinosa can learn how …

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Mickey Vernon Museum Receives Ted Williams Letter

    On January 8 of this year, the Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, through Jim Vankoski, curator of the museum, received a surprise donation from Morris “Moe” Bergman of Worcester, MA and Alan Langsner of Needham, MA. The gift was a letter that Mickey Vernon wrote to Ted Williams on January 24th, 1966.   Mickey, winner of two American …

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The 1948 Project – 5 August 1948 Whisper’s from Washington

Gene Bearden wins but is outpitched by Ray Scarborough in a mound duel. Cleveland turns an amazing six double plays, crippling Washington’s offense. Ray Scarborough took his sixth loss, scattering two runs in his seven innings of work. Both runs earned by the long ball. Jim Hegan and Bearden back to back in the third. …

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The 1948 Project – 3 August 1948 Whisper’s from Washington

On August 3, the Indians were one game behind the Athletics. Lou Boudreau started Satchel Paige against the Washington Senators in Cleveland. The 72,562 people that saw the game set a new attendance record for a major league night game. Paige showed his nervousness as he walked two of the first three batters and then …

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This Day in D.C. Baseball History

Twins Executive Vice President Joe Haynes suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow at his Hopkins , Minnesota home on January 6, 1967 and died at the age of 49. Haynes was signed by the Washington Senators as a free agent in 1937. During spring training in 1938 Haynes met and became smitten with Thelma …

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Our Top Ten popular stories in 2013

NUMBER 10 Speak softly and carry a Big Stick by Mark Hornbaker This past February at the D.C. Baseball History Winter Meeting the first hour of the meeting was set aside for the attendees to introduce themselves and to share a piece of their Washington baseball memorabilia with the group. I would say half of …

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