Charlie Brotman grew up in D.C. and graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1946. After two years in the Navy, he decided he wanted to be a sports announcer. “Who didn’t?” he once told an interviewer, so he enrolled at the National Academy of Broadcasting in the District, in addition to attending classes at … Continue reading Charlie Brotman, voice of the Senators and the inaugurals
Author: Andrew C. Sharp
I'm a retired daily newspaper journalist, a SABR member and life-long baseball fan. I blog about D.C. baseball here and contribute regularly to Here's The Pitch, the Internet Baseball Writers Association's daily post.
July 15, 1952: The record of 12 straight hits reached at Griffith Stadium
(updated July 8, 2024) Does any individual achievement deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak? Given that nobody before or after his 1941 record has come near it, the answer is clearly "no." Yet of all the multi-game records of shorter duration, another far less heralded feat continues … Continue reading July 15, 1952: The record of 12 straight hits reached at Griffith Stadium
Soto, at 23, was in a class by himself
Juan Soto turned 23 on October 25, 2021. Although he finished second to Bryce Harper for the National League 2021 Most Valuable Player award*, he set or extended a number of statistical marks during a trying season for the Washington Nationals. In November, for the second year in a row, fans helped vote him onto … Continue reading Soto, at 23, was in a class by himself
A hospital’s mini-tribute to Griffith Stadium
After Washington's Griffith Stadium was torn down in February 1965, nearby Howard University acquired the 8.5-acre property for $1.5 million, to build what is now a 250-bed teaching hospital. The hospital opened in 1975. A historic marker, attached to a utility pole, notes existence of the stadium from 1911 until its demolition. The marker, placed … Continue reading A hospital’s mini-tribute to Griffith Stadium
May 30-June 18, 1912: A doormat no more, Washington wins a record 17 in a row
When Clark Griffith was persuaded in the fall of 1911 to take charge of Washington’s American League franchise as manager and part owner, the team had never won more than 67 games or finished higher than sixth place. The Senators, as everybody called them despite attempts to jettison the name, had finished seventh in 1911 … Continue reading May 30-June 18, 1912: A doormat no more, Washington wins a record 17 in a row
The self-inflicted wounds of the 2021 season
After concluding in late July that the Nationals were not going to compete for a post-season berth, team president and general manager Mike Rizzo jettisoned eight key players on the 2021 team: future Hall-of-Famer Max Scherzer, all-star shortstop Trea Turner, record-setting slugger Kyle Schwarber, veteran utility man Josh Harrison. starting catcher Yan Gomes, closer Brad … Continue reading The self-inflicted wounds of the 2021 season
The last Senators’ game and Howard’s homer
Every Washington baseball fan old enough can remember it. Those younger undoubtedly have heard about it: the last game played by the Senators, September 30, 1971, at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. A week earlier, American League owners had given the financial-cheat owner, Bob Short, permission to move the expansion franchise to Arlington, Texas. Many of … Continue reading The last Senators’ game and Howard’s homer
Expansion Nats’ finale not the only Washington forfeit
The expansion Nats famously had to forfeit the final game, September 30, 1971, at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. The Senators, already scheduled to move to Texas for the 1972 season, were an out away from beating the Yankees, 7-5, in an otherwise meaningless season finale. Angry fans stormed the field and made off with the … Continue reading Expansion Nats’ finale not the only Washington forfeit
First umpire to wear glasses did it at Griffith Stadium — in 1956
Ed Rommel, a knuckleballer who won 171 games in 13 seasons beginning in 1920, later spent 22 years as an American League umpire. On April 18, 1956, he became the first umpire in the 20th Century to wear eyeglasses during a game. His groundbreaking move, unnoticed at the time, came at Griffith Stadium on a … Continue reading First umpire to wear glasses did it at Griffith Stadium — in 1956
July 31, 2018: Nationals score a record 25 runs
The 2018 season at the trade deadline hadn’t gone as Dave Martinez had hoped in his first year managing the Nationals. His team, the preseason favorite to repeat as N.L. East champions, were in third place, a game under .500, on July 31. Other than dumping reliever Brandon Kintzler’s salary on the Cubs, General Manager … Continue reading July 31, 2018: Nationals score a record 25 runs
Sept. 11, 1949: Nats pitchers set dubious record, walking 11 Yankees in one inning
Two years after finishing fourth – the Griffith franchise’s last time in the first division – Washington fell to the A.L. basement with 104 losses. On September 11, 1949, the Senators were in New York to play their second doubleheader in two days against the Yankees. The first-place Yanks began the day a game up … Continue reading Sept. 11, 1949: Nats pitchers set dubious record, walking 11 Yankees in one inning
May 8, 2016: Harper’s seven times up with no at-bats
On May 8, 2016, at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the Nationals’ Bryce Harper became the first player in major league history to reach base seven times without an official at-bat. He also became the fourth player to be walked six times in a game. Harper was hit by a pitch the one time he didn’t walk. … Continue reading May 8, 2016: Harper’s seven times up with no at-bats
Kyle Schwarber’s record-setting month
Nationals’ slugger Kyle Schwarber was well known for his prodigious power before coming to Washington from the Cubs. After a slow start, Schwarber had a June 2021 that shattered or matched a number of home-run records. He was a clear choice for N.L. Player of the Month. His 12 home runs in 10 games tied … Continue reading Kyle Schwarber’s record-setting month
Ruth hit his last Yankee homer at Griffith Stadium
Babe Ruth appeared in 171 games at the ballpark that became known as Griffith Stadium, including his last two in a Yankees’ uniform – September 29 and 30, 1934. His homer in the first game of a doubleheader on September 29, a three-run shot, was the last of the 659 he hit as a Yankee. … Continue reading Ruth hit his last Yankee homer at Griffith Stadium
Jim Kaat, last of the Griffith Nats, finally a Hall-of-Famer
updated Dec. 5, 2021 On April 27, 1960, at Yankee Stadium, 21-year-old left-hander Jim Kaat gave up three hits and one earned run in seven innings as the Senators beat Hall-of-Famer Whitey Ford. It was Kaat’s only win in a Washington uniform over parts of the 1959 and ’60 seasons. 1960 Topps card Kaat was … Continue reading Jim Kaat, last of the Griffith Nats, finally a Hall-of-Famer
Ed Walsh, an original Nats owner, recruited Clark Griffith
In October 1911, as the Philadelphia Athletics were playing the New York Giants in the World Series. Edward J. Walsh, a founding owner and director of Washington’s American League team, met with Cincinnati Manager Clark Griffith at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. That meeting helped determine the fate of Major League Baseball in Washington for nearly … Continue reading Ed Walsh, an original Nats owner, recruited Clark Griffith
May 26, 1930: Goslin, Judge hit back-to-back homers twice in same game
Leon "Goose" Goslin and Joe Judge, who helped Washington win the World Series in 1924 and an American League pennant in '25, became the first two players under today's rules to hit back-to-back homers twice in the same game. It happened on the afternoon of May 26, 1930, at Yankee Stadium. The Senators were looking … Continue reading May 26, 1930: Goslin, Judge hit back-to-back homers twice in same game
Former Nats founded the players alumni association
Three former expansion Senators – Chuck Hinton, Jim Hannan and Fred Valentine – helped found the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in February 1982, recruiting more than a dozen other former players. The organization today has more than 8,600 members. Brooks Robinson is the group’s current president and several other Hall of Famers serve … Continue reading Former Nats founded the players alumni association
Gabby Street’s Monumental catch
Charles Everd “Gabby” Street played in the majors for seven seasons as a catcher with the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, New York Highlanders, St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Senators, where he spent four years as Walter Johnson’s personal catcher. In the midst of his playing career, he survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and … Continue reading Gabby Street’s Monumental catch
Ed Roebuck: Fungo hitter extraordinaire
Relief pitcher Ed Roebuck, who spent two months of the 1963 season and another one in ’64 with the Senators, was one of the game’s greatest fungo hitters. As a child, according to Paul Hirsch’s SABR bio essay, Roebuck liked to pass time hitting stones with a stick. The pitcher became so good at making … Continue reading Ed Roebuck: Fungo hitter extraordinaire
Washington baseball history 