|
||
Senators Baseball Still Lives Inside the Hearts and Minds of Real Baseball Fans. THIS WEB SITE IS BEING REORGANIZED. Keep an eye on this page for new material. A collection of trivia dedicated to Walter Johnson is under construction. Please try the "Walter Johnson - the BIG TRAIN" link at the bottom of this page. Send Comments to: Gerryk@wbalmail.com THIS SITE LAST UPDATED on November 5, 1999. |
||
 Darcy and Buffington live! |
||
|
July 24, 1999. That was the Yankees' biggest margin of victory since August 12, 1953, when they beat up on the Washington Senators by the same score. This was also the first time since July 26, 1931 that the Yankees had scored 20 runs at home. At that time, the Senators were also on the short end of a 22-5 score. Did you know? Long ball hitting Washington first baseman, Mike Epstein, was nicknamed "Superjew" by his teammates. Did you know? It is reported that the only man to play for both the Washington Senators and the Washington Redskins football team was Tommy Brown. Brown was a football running back and a baseball infielder. He grew up in the metropolitan DC area. Did you know? On September 5, 1959, Senator, Jim Lemon, hit two home runs in the same inning, the third. Prior to that time, only four other American League players had equaled that mark. Did you know? The all-time Senator hitting streaks belong to Heinie Manush and Sam Rice. From July 22 to August 25, 1933, Manush hit in 33 consecutive games. During that time, he hit for an average of .362. From August 23 to September 24, 1924, Rice hit .398 over 31 consecutive games. Did you know? In 1929, Joe Cronin hit for the cycle while playing for the Senators. He would become one of only a handful of players to do it for two teams when he repeated in 1940 as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Otis Clymer [1908], Goose Goslin [1924], Mickey Vernon [1946], and Jim King [1964] were the only other Senators to achieve this extremely difficult accomplishment, even once. Did you know? In 1969 & 1971, Washington Senator, Frank Howard, led the major leagues in hitting into double plays. He was also the first player to win the American League home run crown while playing for an expansion team (the second Senators team). Frank established two other home run hitting marks while playing in Washington. In 1968, "Hondo" hit 10 home runs in 6 straight games. He also hit 10 home runs in 20 consecutive at bats. The big first baseman went on to spend many years coaching and managing in the major leagues. Did you know? Washington pitcher, Stan Coveleski, was famous for being one of the last of the "legal" spitball pitchers. In 1925, Stan led the league with a 20-5 win/loss record and 2.84 earned run average. His real name was Stanislaus. Did you know? In 1958 & 1959, the Senators had back to back American League Rookie of the Year award winners. They were Albie Pearson and Bob Allison. Did you know? The original Washington Senators baseball team moved to Minnesota at the end of the 1960 season. It was replaced by a second Senators team in the 1961 American League expansion from 16 to 18 teams. That team was destined to move to Texas. Did you know? Leon Goslin retired from his outfield position with a .316 lifetime batting average. The "Goose" hit .344, .335, and .297 for the 1924, 1925, and 1933 American League Pennant winning Washington Senators. The "Goose" was a member of all three Washington Senators pennant winning World Series teams. He led the American League with a .379 batting average in 1928. Goslin hit seven home runs in five World Series appearances, including three each on the 1924 & 1925 Washington teams. Did you know? On April 10, 1910, President William H. Taft became the first President of the United States to throw out the first ball of the major league season. He attended a one-hit Walter Johnson performance on the way to a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia A's. Did you know? First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League! That is until 1924, when the Senators hit .294 on their way to a league pennant and World Series championship. They would easily repeat as league champs in 1925, but lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Did you know? Owen Bush was the player/manager of the 1923 Senators. Unfortunately for Bush, it took one more year for a Washington team to bring home the city's first American League and World Series championship titles. Did you know? Shortstop, Joe Cronin, played for the Senators from 1928 to 1934. As player/manager, he led Washington to a World Series appearance in 1933. A .302 lifetime hitter, Cronin helped lead his 1933 pennant winners on the field with a .309 average. Did you know? James "Mickey" Vernon was a .286 lifetime hitter. In 1953, he led the Senators and the American League with a .337 batting average. The first baseman went on to become the first manager of the expansion Senators (1961 through 1963). Did you know? Washington, DC played host to the major league baseball all-star game in 1958 and 1962. Both games were won by the visiting National League team. Did you know? No Senator was able to lead the American League in home run hitting until 1957, when that feat was accomplished by Roy Siever. Did you know? Washington pitcher, George "Pete" Burnside, contributed three home run balls to New York Yankee, Roger Maris', infamous 61 home run season. Only two other American leaguers were equally generous to the future Hall of Famer. Did you know? Infielder/outfielder, John Lewis, spent his entire major league career playing for the Washington Senators (1935 - 1949). "Buddy" left the majors with a .297 lifetime batting average. Did you know? As a publicity stunt, Washington Senator's catcher, Gabby Street, caught a baseball that had been dropped from a height of over 500 feet off the top of the Washington Monument on August 21, 1908. Did you know? Harmon Killebrew played for the Senators from 1954 to 1960. The "Killer" led the American League in HR's, RBI's, bases on balls, strikeouts, and slugging average for at least one season each before retiring in 1974. The Hall of Famer didn't achieve any of those milestones as a Senator. Did you know? Senator, Mickey Vernon, beat out Cleveland Indian, Al Rosen, for the batting title by .001 [.337 to .336] in 1953. As a result, Rosen missed out on a Triple Crown. Did you know? The Minnesota Twins [former Washington Senators] won the American League pennant in 1965, only 5 years after moving out of DC. They lost the World Series to the L.A. Dodgers in seven games. Did you know? In 1886, the Washington baseball club was named the Nationals; in 1887, they became the Statesmen; in1888, they became the Senators; and in 1889, the team was transferred to Cincinnati. A new Senators team played from 1892 through 1900 in the nation's capital until they were eliminated by National League down sizing. In 1901, yet a different team took the Senators name and played in DC until the team was moved to Minnesota at the end of 1960. The next year, the expansion Senators came to town. Their departure to Texas at the end of the 1971 season marked the end of baseball in Washington, DC. Did you know? In the heat of the 1945 pennant race, George "Bingo" Binks was playing centerfield for the Senators. Bingo chose not to wear sunglasses, even though a very bright sun was dancing in and out of the clouds. In the 12th inning, he lost a fly ball in the sun that allowed the Philadelphia A's to win the game. The Detroit Tigers then pulled away and won the pennant. Did you know? New manager, Tom Loftus, led the 1902 Senators to a second consecutive 6th place finish. The highlight of the team's second year in the American League was Ed Delahanty's league leading .376 batting average. Did you know? Washington won 16 straight road games in 1916. They still finished 7th. Did you know? On July 14, 1952, the Senators gave up seven hits to Detroit Tiger, Walt Dropo, during his first seven at bats of a double header. When added to his five for five performance of the previous day against the Yankees, his 12 hits in 12 consecutive at bats ties a major league record. Did you know? Detroit Tiger, Rudy York, hit two home runs against the Senators on August 31, 1937. With those homers he had a total of 18 for the month, breaking Babe Ruth's single month record total of 17. Did you know? Senator, Harmon Killebrew, hit 42 home runs in 1959 and Frank Howard hit 44 in both 1968 and 1970. They became members of a very small club of major leaguers who hit 40 home runs for last place teams. Did you know? Washington Senator, Roy Sievers, had 119 hits and 102 RBIs in 1954. Roy's 119 hit total is one of the lowest ever for a player who has 100 RBI's or more. Did you know? Washington's Goose Goslin, drove in 100 or more runs per year for 5 straight years, 1924 - 1928. Senator, Joe Cronin, accomplished the same feat from 1930 to 1934. Fewer than 30 major leaguers have been this productive. Did you know? Senators, Goose Goslin and Mickey Vernon, are among the all time top ten major leaguers whose batting average dropped dramatically from one year to the next. Goslin's batting average dropped from .379 in 1928 to .288 in 1929 for a loss of 91 points. Vernon went from .353 in 1946 to .265 in 1947 for a loss of 88 points. In contrast, Mickey went from batting .250 in 1952 to .337 in 1953. His 86 point improvement resulted in an American League batting championship. Did you know? In Griffith Stadium on April 17, 1953, New York Yankee, Mickey Mantle, hit a 565-foot home run off of Senator pitcher, Chuck Stobbs. Did you know? Bert Shepard had a one game major league career. On August 4, 1945, Shepard pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up 3 hits for the Senators. What is remarkable about this appearance against the Boston Red Sox is that Bert had only one leg. He lost his right leg while flying a World War II mission over Germany. Did you know? Dick Bosman pitched the last game for the Washington Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers. Bosman once started a game by giving up a bunt single and finished by getting the next 27 batters out. Did you know? Catcher, Paul "Cazzie" Casanova, was said to have thrown the ball back to the pitchers mound harder than it had been thrown in to home plate. Did you know? In 1904, the Senators lost their first 13 games. They won their 14th when the opposition committed 8 errors. Washington finished the season with 38 wins and 113 losses. Did you know? Near the end of the 1962 season, Senator pitcher, Tom Cheney, struck out 21 Baltimore Orioles in a 16 inning complete game appearance. Cheney struck out every Oriole at least once. He threw 228 pitches. Bud Zipfel hit a home run in the top of the 16th for the winning Senator run. In his next outing, Cheney was bombed by the Yankees. In an 8-year career, he had 19 wins, 29 losses, and a 3.77 earned run average. Did you know? Owner, Calvin Griffith, once offered to buy Ty Cobb's contract for $100,000; he sold his son-in-law, Joe Cronin, to the Boston Red Sox, and he sent 3 teams (1924, 1925, and 1933) to the World Series (winning in 1924). Did you know? 1945 was the last time the Washington Senators had a shot at the American League title. Unfortunately, owner Calvin Griffith, rented Griffith Stadium to the Washington Redskins for an exhibition game with the Green Bay Packers on September 23rd. As a result, the Senators completed their schedule and had to wait around for a week while the Detroit Tigers played out their schedule, winning the AL pennant. Did you know? In 1952, rookie, Miguel Fornieles, made his first appearance in the major leagues as a Washington Senator. He threw a 1-hitter for a 5-0 victory against the Athletics. Did you know? With a lifetime batting average of .345, Ed Delahanty was one of baseball's great hitters. In 1903, while hitting .333 for the Senators, he fell from a train in Niagara Falls and died. The cause of death was never determined. Did you know? As a Senator during the 1909 season, Robert Groom threw 19 straight losses. That single season record still stands today. Did you know? Batting against Washington pitcher, Pedro Ramos, Mickey Mantle came within 18 inches of hitting a ball out of Yankee Stadium. No one has come closer. Did you know? In 1956, the Cleveland Indians pounded the Senators for a 15-0 victory. Indian pitcher, Herb Score, threw 13-strikeouts in this 3-hitter. Did you know? In 1933, Washington catcher, Luke Sewell, tagged out two Yankee base runners on the same play. Dixie Walker caught up to Lou Gehrig, who expected a fly ball to be caught. They were both tagged out at the plate. Did you know? On April 13, 1921, the Senators lost their home opener to the Boston Red Sox despite the attendance of former, current, and future Presidents, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge. Did you know? In 1904, rookie outfielder, Frank Huelsman, started the year with the Chicago White Sox; by May he was sold to the Detroit Tigers; a little more than two weeks later, the St. Louis Browns bought his contract; no more than a month later he was loaned to the Senators. Frank was then reclaimed by the Browns. On January 1, 1905, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox; they returned him to the Senators as a player to be named later. He never played in the big leagues again. Did you know? Washington pitcher, Hal Griggs, snapped Ted Williams' major league record 16 consecutive at bat on base streak. Did you know? On August 8, 1931, Senator, Bob Burke pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. Did you know? It is reported that the Senators' move to Texas was prompted by a multi-million dollar up-front payment for TV and radio broadcast rights. Did you know? Ted Williams, considered by many to be the greatest hitter of all time, took over as manager of the Senators in 1969. In his first year, the team's win-loss record improved by 21 wins (from 65 in 1968 to 86 in 1969). The Senators improved from 10th or last place to a 4th place finish under the guidance of the "Splendid Splinter". Ted moved to Texas with the team and managed through the end of the 1972 season. Did you know? Connie Mack started his baseball career as a catcher for the Washington Statesmen. He went on to build the Philadelphia Athletics into a baseball power. Did you know? It is understood that the Senators gave up a new stadium in DC and moved to Minnesota at the end of the 1960 season because concession and parking revenue would have been lost and rent would have been required if they stayed. They kept all the operating revenue from Griffith Stadium, which was owned by the team. Did you know? August 7th was an interesting day in Senators history more than once. On August 7, 1922, the St. Louis Browns beat the Senators by a score of 16-1. Browns player, Ken Williams, hit 2 home runs in one inning. On August 7, 1923, the Cleveland Indians beat the Senators by a 22-2 score. Indian, Frank Bower, went 6-for-6 [including a double and five singles]. Did you know? Ford Frick, the President of the National League suggested the establishment of a Hall of Fame in the National Baseball Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Walter Johnson was one of the first five players elected to the Hall by members of the Baseball Writer's Association in January 1936. The Big Train, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson were actually inducted at the June 12, 1939 formal opening of the Hall. Did you know? It is reported that during the 1950's, when professional baseball players were not paid very much, many Washington Senators lived during the season in the inexpensive Kaywood Garden apartments in the Avondale section of northeast Washington, DC. Even though players like Mickey Vernon, Jim Lemon, Mel Hoderline, and Bob Otis didn't put their names on their mailboxes, the local kids found them and spread the word around the Eastern Avenue & Queens Chapel Road neighborhood. Did you know? The Washington Senators provided the opposition for the last game played by Babe Ruth as a Yankee. On September 30, 1934, the New York Yankees lost a 5-3 decision before a crowd of 12,000 in Griffith Stadium. Did you know? On May 23, 1901, the Washington Senators lost a 14-13 decision to the Cleveland Indians, who came from behind with a 9 run/two out outburst in the 9th inning. Did you know? The Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators played to a 0-0 tie over 18 innings on July 16, 1909. That game still stands as the longest scoreless game in American League history. Did you know? The Cleveland Indians beat the Senators by a 5-4 score in 11 innings on July 19, 1910. Cy Young recorded the 500th win of his career. Did you know? On July 23, 1925, a Lou Gehrig grand slam home run led the New York Yankees to a 11-7 win over the Senators. This was the first of a major league record 23 grand slams for Gehrig. Did you know? Cleveland pitcher, Bob Lemon, hit two home runs on July 24, 1949 as the Indians beat the Senators 7-5. Did you know? On July 30, 1968, Senator, Ron Hansen, completed an unassisted triple play. The Senators lost to Cleveland by a score of 10-1. Did you know? Washington produced 5 home runs during the 1924 World Series [Goose Goslin (3) & Stanley Harris (2)], 8 home runs during the 1925 series [Goose Goslin (3), Joseph Harris (3), Joseph Judge (1), & Roger Peckinpaugh (1)], and 2 home runs in their 1933 and last World Series appearance [Goose Goslin (1) & Charlie Gehringer (1)]. Did you know? Senator, Roger Peckinpaugh, was the first World Series batter to reach base on a catcher's interference call. The Giants catcher was called for that infraction in the first inning of the seventh game of the 1925 series, won by the Giants. Only four other catchers have been called for this infraction in series history. Did you know? Four former Senators had their sons follow them into major league baseball. They included Tom Grieve & son Ben, Bruce Howard & son David, Dick Nen & son Robb, and Diego Segui and son David. Did you know? In 1960, catcher, Earl Battey, became the first and only Senator to win the Gold Glove award. Did you know? On August 3, 1948, Negro Leaguer, Satchel Paige, took the mound for his first major league start. Paige led a 5-3 win over the Washington Senators with seven strong innings for the Cleveland Indians. Did you know? In a 13-0 victory over the Senators, Detroit's Tommy Bridges lost a perfect game when pinch hitter, Dave Harris, connected for a bloop single. Harris was the 27th hitter of the August 5, 1931 game. Did you know? There have only been 11 pairs of back-to-back home runs hit in the World Series. Washington Senators, Goose Goslin and Joseph Harris, hit the first on October 11, 1925. Did you know? In three World Series appearances (1924, 1925, & 1933), the Washington Senators won-loss record was 6-4 at home, 2-7 on the road, and 8-11 overall. They won 1 series and lost 2. Did you know? On August 20, 1957, Chicago White Sox pitcher, Bob Keegan, utilized a very slow pitch to dominate the Senators with a no-hit 6-0 win. Chuck Stobbs took the loss, his 16th, for the Senators. Stobbs went on to lead the league in losses with 20. Did you know? In 1925, the Washington Senators were the first team to allow a World Series opponent {Pittsburgh} to come back and win a seven game series from a 3 games to1 deficit. Did you know? A legendary baseball grudge credits Luke Appling with fouling off 16 straight pitches in order to get even with Senators owner, Clark Griffith. Griffith was said to have denied a request from Appling for complimentary tickets for his friends. Did you know? Eleven Presidents of the United States, three Vice Presidents, one Speaker of the House of Representatives, one Canadian Prime Minister, and a "first son-in-law" helped open major league seasons by throwing out the first ball for the Washington Senators. Did you know? On August 20, 1912, Jay Cashion pitched a 6-inning no-hitter to lead the Washington Senators to a 2-0 win over the Indians. During the rest of his major league career, Cashion would only win eleven more games. Did you know? On August 20, 1894, Washington defeated Louisville 8-7 behind a 3 home run effort by Bill Joyce. Joyce finished the season second in home runs in the National League with 17. Did you know? Player-managers led both teams involved in the 1933 World Series. First baseman, Bill Terry, was at the helm of the New York Giants and shortstop, Joe Cronin, led the Senators back to their third and final World Series appearance. Did you know? Once Harmon "Killer" Killebrew got the chance to be a regular for the Washington Senators, he made the most of it. His breakout year came in 1959. That year he played in 153 games and hit a league leading 42 home runs. The Killer set the American League standard for total home runs by right-handed batters. The number of home runs that he hit per time at bat still ranks him among the best in baseball history. Did you know? Joe Cronin's baseball career started in 1926 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. By 1930, playing for the Washington Senators, he hit .346, drove in 126 runs, and scored 127 times. Cronin won the American League MVP award that year. His 170 career home runs were the most by a shortstop, for many years. By the way, he married the niece of the Senators owner. Did you know? On August 20, 1893, a Washington base runner was allowed to score when Chicago catcher, Malachi Kittridge, cleaned off home plate without calling time out. Did you know? During a 17-0, August 23, 1963, victory over the Senators, California Angel first baseman, Lee Thomas, anchored a record tying 6 double plays. Angles third baseman, Felix Torres, tied another record when he started 4 double plays. Did you know? In 1961,The Senators lost a double header to the Cleveland Indians by 7-4 & 10-1. Cleveland was led by Rocky Colavito's American League record tying 4 doubleheader home runs. Did you know? On August 27, 1910, Washington second baseman, Red Killefer, set a major league record while hitting four sacrifices in one game. Did you know? In 1897, Roger Bresnahan started his career playing for Washington by pitching a six hit, 3-0 victory over St. Louis. He would leave the senators after three more wins due to a contract dispute. Eventually, Bresnahan would play his way into the Hall of Fame as a catcher. Did you know? Senator second baseman, Timmy Cullen, set a major league record when he made errors in three consecutive plays against the Oakland Athletics in 1969. Did you know? In an 1880 dispute over gate receipts, the Rochesters failed to show for a game with the Washington Nationals. That dispute indirectly resulted in the death of the National Association of baseball. Did you know? In 1958, a $9 million bond issue was released in Minneapolis, MN for the purpose of upgrading Metropolitan Stadium. So marked the beginning of the end for the Washington Senators. Did you know? On September 2, 1960, Ted Williams homered off of Senator, Don Lee. This home run came twenty years after one hit by Williams against Lee's father, Thornton Lee. Did you know? During a 1964, 9-0 Senators defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, Lee Stange tied a major league record by throwing four strikeouts in a single inning. Did you know? On September 7, 1971, the Senators gave up an 11 inning 3-2 loss to Detroit. Tiger, Jim Northrup, went 5 for 5, including two home runs. Did you know? In 1945, Joe Kuhel hit the only inside-the-park home run at Griffith Stadium. Did you know? On September 7, 1954, 460 fans turned out to see the Senators beat the Athletics 5-4. This was the smallest crowd ever to see a game in Griffith Stadium. Did you know? The Senators once traded half a baseball team for Denny McClain. McClain had previously won 30 games for the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately, he did very little in Washington. During the 1970 season, McClain was suspended three times by major league baseball for a wide range of personal problems. Did you know? One of the Senators all-time greats, Goose Goslin, injured his arm while horsing around in a non-baseball contest in 1928. While this injury didn't prevent him from winning the American League batting championship that year, his throwing ability was permanently impaired. |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
