Tag: Frank Howard

No raise for Hondo

Originally written on Jan. 9, 2012 After belting 36 home runs for the Senators in 1967, Frank Howard found himself spending most of the off-season negotiating a new contract with Senators’ General Manager George Selkirk. The Washington Post reported on January 9, 1968 that Senators’ GM Selkirk told Howard that he will not be receiving …

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1969 Spring Training -The Entire Story

Originally posted 12 years ago. “Bob Short’s Picnic Table Diplomacy” 1969 Spring Training 1969′s spring training may have been the most unique in Washington baseball history. Change abounded. The club sported a new owner, Robert E. Short, a celebrity manager, Ted Williams, and even new uniforms (the elegant navy blue pinstripes replaced by gleaming white …

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This Date in Washington Senators History -Cecil Travis collects 5 hits in his ML debut

May 16 1921 – Led by the bat of Ty Cobb, who pounds out 4 hits, scores 4 runs and swipes a base, the Tigers complete a 3 game sweep of the Nats in Detroit by a 17-11 score. Senators pitching gives up 33 runs in the series. 1930 – The Senators sweep a twin …

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Washington needs sports stars like Howard, Zimmerman

Marty Niland July 30, 2017 was a day Nationals fans should long remember. On that sunny Sunday afternoon, they got to celebrate a baseball milestone along with two men who became stars at times when their teams and fans needed it. In the third inning of the Nats’ 10-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies, Ryan …

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Zimmerman’s big weekend, and memories of Frank Howard

If there was a silver lining in last weekend’s series loss to the Colorado Rockies, it’s that Ryan Zimmerman appears to have fully recovered from the plantar fasciitis that has sidelined him for much of this season. The Nationals first baseman has hit safely in four straight games and seven of his last nine, and …

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Harper joins elite company with All-Star start

Bryce Harper made history last season when he became the youngest position player selected to the major league All-Star game at the age of 19, and he’s doing it again with his second appearance at the age of 20. Not only will Harper be the youngest position player ever to start for the National League, …

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Speak softly and carry a Big Stick

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 the 50 people who attended the meeting brought in some type of …

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This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Howard sets a new Major League Record

May 18, 1968 Frank “”Hondo”” Howard blasts two home runs at Tiger Stadium to extend his streak to six consecutive games with a home run. The two home runs Howard hit off of the Tigers were his 9th and 10th home runs of the streak During a six game stretch from May 12, 1968 to …

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1969 Senators Spring Training — Hondo’s Holdout

1969 Senators Spring Training — Hondo’s Holdout: Part 4 of a 5-Part Series As spring training in Pompano Beach continued, Ted Williams and his charges learned more and more about each other. Williams professed his hitting philosophy, “wait for a good pitch to hit” and being patient at the plate so walks would increase. Teddy …

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Washington Senators Spring Training 1969: Ted (Finally) Gets His First Win

Part 2 of a Series After the owners and players reached a deal that ended the spring strike of 1969, Senators’ players arrived in Pompano Beach to meet their new celebrity manager, Ted Williams. Outside of Washington, where the common reaction was joy that Teddy Ballgame had joined Vince Lombardi in Washington, giving fans hope …

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