Baseball in the District, if you ask many fans it would begin and end with Walter Johnson, prior of course to the arrival of Harper and Strasburg. Oh they might throw in a couple of “No-Win’s” and “Tail-Enders” but Johnson, Harper and Strasburg are the focal points. Sad in a way because the District has …
Tag: Walter Johnson
Apr 09
Take a step back in time with these videos
These video clips were created for some stories I wrote in the past. The clips come from the film The Game Comes Home. DC’s Gentleman First Baseman-Mickey Vernon In one of his last recorded interviews, Washington Senator great Mickey Vernon talks about his life and times in Major Leagues Baseball. With an active playing career …
Feb 27
This Date in Washington Senators History – Walter Johnson is operated on
February 27 1908 In Fullerton, California, Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson is operated on for an infection of the mastoid area behind the right ear. The doctors remove a section of the bone, and the recuperation will keep Johnson sidelined until late May. Despite his late start in the season, Johnson (See November 6th birthdays.) …
Feb 22
Big Train’s Throw Across the Rappahannock River
February 22, 1936 Fredericksburg, Virginia To celebrate George Washington’s 204th birthday the town of Fredericksburg planned a daylong celebration. To cap off the day the city invited baseball legend Walter Johnson to duplicate George Washington’s legendary throw of a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River. As the story goes U.S. Rep. Sol Bloom, D-N.Y. believed …
Jan 19
The Legacy of Griffith Stadium
I would like to discuss the “Legacy of Griffith Stadium” and some of those wonderful memories of a time in the not so distant past – unfortunately memories are just about all that is left for those who remember major league baseball in Washington DC before the current Washington Nationals. This may serve as a …
Jan 17
Growing Up at Griffith Stadium
In keeping with our theme of ‘timeless baseball” I thought it might be of interest to remember some of my childhood days as the son of a major league baseball player. I was very fortunate to have literally “grown up” at Griffith Stadium in Washington DC, where my dad had patrolled the outfield for the …
Jul 31
Does Historical Milestone Mean Anything?
You tell me, do historical Washington baseball statistics mean anything? I personally think keeping historical numbers that span across the different Washington major league franchises are worth keeping and sharing with the current Washington baseball fans. The difficult decision is deciding what numbers you use. Do you go all the way back to the 1886 …
Jul 11
Washington D.C. Baseball History – July 1907
Walter Johnson was pitching for the Weiser “semi-pro” team in the Idaho State League. The 19-year old hurler was so dominating that he caught the attention of many Major League scouts from the east. In late June the Washington Senators Manager Joe Cantillion sent injured catcher Cliff Blankenship to Idaho to scout the young phenom. …
