On July 6, 2025, the Washington Nationas announced that Mike Rizzo had been fired after nearly 17 seasons as the head of baseball operations for the Washington Nationals. His teams improved from 59 wins in 2009, his first year at the helm after three seasons as an assistant GM, to a team-record 98 victories and … Continue reading A look back at Rizzo’s tenure
Author: Andrew C. Sharp
I'm a retired daily newspaper journalist and life-long baseball fan. I blog about D.C. baseball at washingtonbaseballhistory.com
Hall of Famer Manush’s ejection from a World Series game
Hall of Fame outfielder Henry Emmett Manush, ungraciously known as “Heinie,” based on his German heritage, played for Washington for nearly six seasons in the 1930s, hitting .328 with a cumulative bWAR of 21.6. In 1933, Washington’s last pennant-winning season, his league-leading 221 hits and 17 triples produced 95 RBIs and a .336 average. He … Continue reading Hall of Famer Manush’s ejection from a World Series game
Owner Ted Lerner brought D.C. a championship
Theodore N. Lerner became the principal owner of the Washington Nationals when his family bought control of the team from Major League Baseball in July 2006. He remained involved in the team until his death at age 97 on Feb. 12, 2023. Born the day the original Senators lost the 1925 World Series, Ted Lerner … Continue reading Owner Ted Lerner brought D.C. a championship
Mel Almada, one-time Nat and first Mexican in MLB
On Oct. 24, 2025, Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk became the first Mexican-born player to homer in the World Series. Despite our Southern neighbor’s proximity and that country’s clear love of the game, Mexico is the birthplace of surprisingly few MLB stars. Outfielder Mel Almada in September 1933 became the first Mexican-born player to reach … Continue reading Mel Almada, one-time Nat and first Mexican in MLB
Daylen Lile named N.L. Player of the Month for September 2025
Rookie outfielder Daylen Lile seemed to come out of nowhere to lead the Nationals to a 13-13 record in the final month of an otherwise dispiriting 2025 season. His performance was outstanding enough to join the likes of Buster Posey, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge, each of whom earned Player of the Month honors as … Continue reading Daylen Lile named N.L. Player of the Month for September 2025
Sept. 21, 2025: Parker records Nats’ longest save, Young makes kick-save catch
Lefty Mitchell Parker, a promising rookie in 2024, pitched so poorly for nearly five months in 2025 that he was demoted to the bullpen in late September. At 5.85, he had the highest earned-run average of all qualified MLB starters and was tied for the most loses in the N.L. Yet on Sept. 21 in … Continue reading Sept. 21, 2025: Parker records Nats’ longest save, Young makes kick-save catch
Davey Johnson’s legacy
Former Nationals manager Davey Johnson led the team to its first N.L. East title in what also became its first winning season in 2012. For Johnson, who died at age 82 on Sept. 5, 2025, Washington was the last of five MLB teams he managed, all of them he made winners. For me, Johnson’s tenure … Continue reading Davey Johnson’s legacy
June 6, 2025: Nats set team record for fastest home game
When the Nationals beat the Rangers, 2-0, on June 6, 2025, in Washington, it was the fastest finish for a home game in team history. Michael Soraka pitched the best game of his short tenure in D.C., yielding two hits in six shutout innings. Brad Lord, Jose Ferrer and Kyle Finnegan held the Rangers hitless … Continue reading June 6, 2025: Nats set team record for fastest home game
Josh Bell sets modern record with high-pitch homer
Josh Bell, the Nationals’ designated hitter, began to hit the ball much harder after his average fell to .151 on May 27. Since then, he was up to a less frightening .228. In July, he hit .338 with a .443 on-base percentage. That surge was punctuated by his ninth-inning homer on June 23, which was … Continue reading Josh Bell sets modern record with high-pitch homer
Joe Black: In 1957, the Senators’ first American-born black player
Although Carlos Paula in 1953 became Washngton’s first acknowledged non-white player, Paula was born in Cuba. In August 1957, the Senators finally had an American-born black player, if only briefly: pitcher Joe Black, the 1952 rookie-of-the year who had helped the Dodgers win the National League pennant.It shouldn’t have taken so long. Griffith Stadium in … Continue reading Joe Black: In 1957, the Senators’ first American-born black player
May 11, 2016: Max Scherzer’s 20-strikeout game
Washington baseball fans of the past decade no doubt have many fond memories of the great left-hander Max Scherzer. In 2015, Scherzer signed a seven-year contract to pitch for Washington in a deal that set the Nationals up as force in the National League, culminating in a World Series title in 2019. He won two … Continue reading May 11, 2016: Max Scherzer’s 20-strikeout game
Lou Gehrig’s lost homer at Griffith Stadium in 1931
On April 26, 1931, Lou Gehrig hit a ball into the centerfield bleachers at Washington’s Griffith Stadium for what should have been a long home run off the Nats' Fred "Firpo" Marberry. Hit so hard, the ball caromed back to Senators’ centerfielder Harry Rice (Sam was in right), who caught it on the fly. With … Continue reading Lou Gehrig’s lost homer at Griffith Stadium in 1931
Nats’ triple play turned out to be an MLB first
On April 25, 2025, Jesse Winker of the Mets hit a low liner that was ruled caught in the air by Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who turned it into a rare triple play. This was the first ever turned at home by Washington, but another aspect of the play set it apart from any … Continue reading Nats’ triple play turned out to be an MLB first
Buddy Lewis of the Nats one of six players to reach 1,000 hits before age 25
John “Buddy” Lewis, the Senators’ All-Star third baseman in the late 1930s, was the fourth major leaguer to reach 1,000 hit before his 25th birthday. The first three who reached the same milestone before Lewis and the two since are all in the Hall of Fame.* Because he missed three and half seasons in his … Continue reading Buddy Lewis of the Nats one of six players to reach 1,000 hits before age 25
Charlie Dressen and the Senators
In October 1954, Charlie Dressen was the last man hired to manage the Senators while Clark Griffith was alive. However, the “Old Fox,” in his 80s, delegated the duty to his informally adopted son, nephew Calvin Griffith.* Every previous manage hired while the senior Griffith owned the team had played for the Senators. Yet Calvin’s … Continue reading Charlie Dressen and the Senators
Cristian Guzman’s forgotten 2008 All-Star season
On March 30, 2008, Cristian Guzman had the first hit at Nationals’ Park, a lead-off single to right in the first inning off Atlanta’s Tim Hudson. Before he could enjoy the moment, however, Hudson picked him off. Still, Guzman went on to become the Nationals’ only 2008 all-star, hitting a career-best .316 for a team … Continue reading Cristian Guzman’s forgotten 2008 All-Star season
April 5, 2025: Nats win as catcher Riley Adams throws out a runner
While it hardly ranks with Babe Ruth being thrown out to end the 1926 World Series, Riley Adams on April 5, 2025, became the first Nationals’ catcher to end a game by throwing out a would-be base stealer. Adams gunned down the Diamondback’s Alex Thomas, whose grounder had driven in a run to cut the … Continue reading April 5, 2025: Nats win as catcher Riley Adams throws out a runner
Rockies’ reliever picks off Nats’ runner, wins without making a pitch
If any further evidence was needed that a pitcher’s “wins” don’t mean much, the Cy Young award that went to Paul Skenes (10-10) in November 2025 provided it. He matched Jacob deGrom’s victory total in 2018 as the lowest ever by a winner who wasn’t a closer. Fans have long dismissed the won-loss totals of … Continue reading Rockies’ reliever picks off Nats’ runner, wins without making a pitch
Nats’ Valdivielso finished off the only all-Cuban triple play
José Valdivielso, the primary shortstop during the final season of the Griffith Senators, died March 4, 2025, at age 90. He debuted with Washington in 1955 and moved with the organization when Calvin Griffith left D.C. for Minnesota. Not much with the bat, Valdivielso hit .219 in 401 games over parts of five seasons in … Continue reading Nats’ Valdivielso finished off the only all-Cuban triple play
Donald Trump and baseball
President Donald Trump will have three more chances to do what he didn’t do in his first term: Throw out a ceremonial first pitch to open a Major League Baseball season in Washington. Trump, who was booed when he attended Game 5 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park, ended a tradition that began … Continue reading Donald Trump and baseball
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