Ellis Clary played for the Washington Senators and St. Louis Browns for nearly four seasons during World War II, but he had an at-bat during the Browns’ only World Series appearance in 1944. Once his playing career ended, he spent six years as a coach with the Senators in the 1950s and more than three … Continue reading Ellis Clary: Wartime Nat and longtime Griffith coach, scout
1963: Rudolph retires 25 in a row before Lock’s slam wins it
Left-hander Don Rudolph stood out for two reasons in the early 1960s: He was married to a highly paid exotic dancer, and he worked faster on the mound than any of his contemporaries. Neither of those achievements, however, played a part in the performance of his career the evening of Wednesday, May 8, 1963, at … Continue reading 1963: Rudolph retires 25 in a row before Lock’s slam wins it
A history of the ownership of the original Senators
When the National League dropped four cities, including Washington, after the 1899 season, an opening was left for the upstart American League. What remained of the Kansas City team from the Western League was moved to Washington, D.C., where the Senators became an original member of the A.L in 1901. The team stumbled through its … Continue reading A history of the ownership of the original Senators
Tom Ferrick kept original Senators over .500 for last time
On September 28, 1952, at Fenway Park, journeyman reliever Tom Ferrick pitched four scoreless innings and was the winner in a 5-4 Senators’ victory. The season-ending win let Washington finish at 78-76, the last time the original Senators had a winning year. It also would be Ferrick’s last time on a major league mound. At … Continue reading Tom Ferrick kept original Senators over .500 for last time
2008: Zimmerman’s walk-off homer opens Nationals Park
With Washington’s new ballpark due to open, Nationals’ management lobbied Major League Baseball to let the team to start the National League season on ESPN’s Sunday night game, March 30, 2008.[1] Despite the Nats’ dim prospects, MLB granted the request, putting Washington in the national spotlight for an opener for the first time since the … Continue reading 2008: Zimmerman’s walk-off homer opens Nationals Park
Ed Brinkman, an unsung glove record-setter
A Gold Glove shortstop but perennial weak hitter, Edwin Albert Brinkman played 15 seasons in the majors, the first 10 of them with the expansion Washington Senators. Traded to Detroit in October 1970 in the infamous Denny McLain deal, he led the Tigers to a division title and was voted Tiger of the Year in … Continue reading Ed Brinkman, an unsung glove record-setter
2007: Levale Speigner beats two-time Cy Young winner
The 2007 Washington Nationals were plodding along a dozen games under .500 when the team arrived in Minnesota late on June 7 for a weekend series. The Twins were playing .500 ball, clearly a disappointment a year after they had won the division behind Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau, batting champ Joe Mauer and Cy … Continue reading 2007: Levale Speigner beats two-time Cy Young winner
