4 July 1942 Eagles Nip Grays 6 to 5

A crowd of 9,000 fans saw the Newark Eagles defeat the Washington Homestead grays, 6 to 5, in 14 innings, at Griffith Stadium, Sunday, and then deadlock them, 1 to 1, in the second game of a twin bill; the latter game was scheduled to travel seven innings but went the regulation nine without a …

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22 July 1942 Grays Late Rally Shades Monarchs

It does not get any better than this, Josh Gibson vs. Satchel Paige! The famous Homestead Grays have won many a victory through the years but none with more delight and satisfaction than that of last night when they came from far behind to pound out a 5 to 4, 11 inning triumph over highly …

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10 August 1926 Posey Aggregation Beats Holis Canon

The following article about the Homestead Grays playing the Beaver Falls Elks highlights the barnstorming nature of baseball in the Negro Leagues. This is a rare look at the Grays during their early years. Long back breaking bus rides were the norm. Games in small towns across the great heart land meant the pay day …

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Frank Bonner

Bonner had a great rookie season, batting .322. He could have been one of the best, instead he played just six years in the majors, including one year with Washington. Here is Bonner talking about his struggles. The Senators’ second base man is another player who did not realize that insobriety and baseball do not …

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Calvin Griffith on why the Nats left Washington 17 October 1978

We want to honor Sam Lacy by presenting articles about the Negro Leagues. Lacy was born in Washington on 23 October 1903, and was a graduate of Howard University. To state that Mr. Lacy had a long and successful career in journalism, his long career spanned parts of nine decades until his passing in 2003, …

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Shires Goes to Senators in Big Trade

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. This is an interesting tale about another unique player. 17 June 1930, Washington acquires Art Shires from the White Sox in exchange for Garland Braxton and Bennie Tate. Of the trade one paper wrote, “Arthur (The Great) Shires, first baseman, ex-box fighter and after-dinner speaker of no …

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Baltimore vs. Washington 1885

The rivalry between Washington and Baltimore goes back many years, of course. Here is the first part of the 1885 version. Baltimore, managed by Billy Barnie played in the American Association while Washington found itself in the Eastern Association. In April Mark “Wud” Wood of the Sporting Life writes, “Billy Barnie of Baltimore has not …

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Ted Sullivan (Almost) Signs Waddell and other Tales from 1899

Rube Waddell got his two cups of coffee in 1897 for Louisville having been released by Pittsburgh. As related in his biography by Dan O’Brien, “Rube sat beside Manager Patsy Donovan,” the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. “Patsy heard him talk and released him as soon as breakfast was over.” The next year he pitched for Detroit …

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“That will cost you $5.”

The year is 1899 and people are staying away from the ballparks. The popularity of the game is in decline. Syndicate Baseball. Cross ownership allows the owners to strip the best players from Cleveland and Baltimore. The Spiders go into a death spiral and are nicknamed the Exiles when the owners transfer games out of …

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Anson Declines to Score

Washington is in its second year in the National League. It is 13 July and Anson’s nine is in town to play the Grays. The result a 4 to 0 whitewash of Washington. The visitors were completely shut out for the first time this season. The Chicago’s made desperate efforts to score throughout the contest, …

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