Sep 27
September 27 1905 Tom Hughes shutouts Cleveland for the 5th time this season, a ML record, 5-0, in Washington. Hughes record will be tied by Grover Alexander of the Phillies in 1916 and Larry Jaster with the Cardinals in 1966. 1912 Eddie Collins would comment that he had never known the Big Train to throw …
Jul 08
James Barton “Mickey” Vernon who was born on April 22, 1918 in Marcus Hook, PA, made his Major League and Washington Senator debut on July 8, 1939. In his first game Vernon went 1 for 5 at the plate and played first base as the Senators beat the Philadelphia Athletics 6-3. During the rest of …
May 27
On May 27, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sets aside four hours to attend a special baseball “Mickey Vernon-Red Cross Day” game that afternoon at Griffith Stadium. What made this game a special game for the 34th President of the United States of America, was that he was there to present his favorite ball player …
Apr 22
April 22 1903 – The American League’s New York Highlanders, the relocated Baltimore Orioles, make their debut in Washington, losing to the Senators by a score of 3-1. Jack Chesbro is charged with the loss for New York. 1959 – In Griffith Stadium, the New York Yankees’ Whitey Ford pitches 14 innings, striking out 15 …
May 30
I received a wonderful e-mail from Jim Vankoski, this morning. Mark, thought you would get a kick out of this. Jay saw Mickey’s Horsehide on our website. His father Jim Small was only 20 years old when he signed it playing for Detroit. That now makes him 80 . Most likely the youngest player to sign. With …
Aug 29
Nationals fans are having fun watching their team move closer to its third division title in the past five seasons, but an even more exciting race is is in full swing between the Nats’ Daniel Murphy and Colorado’s DJ LeMaiheu for the National League batting title. The two second basemen came into last weekend’s series …
Jan 02
Mickey Vernon died on September 24, 2008. Two months before he died, he and I were taking a trip to the Philadelphia A’s Historical Society to visit his old friend Ernie Montella the executive director. While in the car, I asked him to proof read a card set that we were producing to celebrate his baseball career. I was happy when Mickey gave …
Nov 11
The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, located in Delaware County, PA, is a non-profit museum with the purpose of celebrating the life and career of Mickey himself and the athletes of his home county. It is funded strictly by donations. Mickey Vernon died on September 24, 2008. Two months before he died, he and I were taking a trip to …
Jul 21
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 …
Jan 09
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. …
