Bobby LaMotte, a reserve infielder who played sparingly for the Washington Senators in 1921, holds an obscure American League record: He batted the most times in a season in the live ball era (1920 to date) without striking out. LaMotte made just 49 plate appearances (41 official at-bats) in 16 games for the fourth-place 1921 … Continue reading 1921 Nat holds A.L. record for most times up in a season without striking out
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Tris Speaker’s season in Washington
Tris Speaker, the Grey Eagle, was among the second group of baseball immortals elected in January 1937 to the Hall of Fame in time for the first formal induction ceremony. He was voted in along with Cy Young and Nap Lajoie, joining the five original inductees —Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and … Continue reading Tris Speaker’s season in Washington
Ted Williams’ 84-game on-base streak in 1949 ends at Griffith Stadium
From July 1, 1949, and until September 27, Ted Williams reached base safely by a hit or a walk in 84 consecutive games, which stands as the all-time record. On September 14 in Detroit, Williams passed Joe DiMaggio’s 1941 mark of 74 games, a streak that overlapped Joe D’s 56 consecutive games with a hit. Those two … Continue reading Ted Williams’ 84-game on-base streak in 1949 ends at Griffith Stadium
Jacob Young’s elite defense
On August 15, 2024, in Philadelphia, after having made a spectacular leaping catch against the fence, Jacob Young took a step in on a hard-hit ball right at him. He recovered quickly enough to reach up and grab the liner, only to have it pop out of his glove. He was charged with an error. … Continue reading Jacob Young’s elite defense
2024: Derek Law first Nats reliever in 14 years to pitch 90 innings.
Two weeks on the injured list in mid-to-late August likely kept veteran right-hander Derek Law from setting a Nationals record for games and relief innings pitched. As it is, he became the fourth National to complete 90 innings, joining Saul Rivera (93 in 2007), Jon Rauch (91.1 in 2006) and Tyler Clippard (91 in 2010). … Continue reading 2024: Derek Law first Nats reliever in 14 years to pitch 90 innings.
Inside Joe DiMaggio’s Legendary 56-Game Hit Streak
As Joe DiMaggio was on his way to hitting in 56 consecutive games, he actually set the 20th century major league record at Griffith Stadium on June 29, 1941, before a capacity crowd of 31,000. The fans were there to follow DiMaggio's quest during a Senators’ double-header with the Yankees. The American League and post-1900 … Continue reading Inside Joe DiMaggio’s Legendary 56-Game Hit Streak
Sept. 21, 1946: A million fans and a tribute to a dying hero
The game between the Senators and Red Sox in Washington on Sept. 21, 1946, was memorable for two reasons unrelated to the outcome: It pushed Griffith Stadium’s attendance over one million for the first (and only) time and it turned into a melancholy tribute to the dying Walter Johnson. Knowing that a Saturday crowd coming … Continue reading Sept. 21, 1946: A million fans and a tribute to a dying hero
SABR biographies of players and scouts in Washington baseball history
In 2002, the Society for American Baseball Research launched a project that so far as produced more than 6,000 essay-length, well-researched and fact-checked, life stories of figures large and small who either played or influenced major league baseball. Two dozen of these biographies, several about significant figures in the history of both Senators’ franchises, are by … Continue reading SABR biographies of players and scouts in Washington baseball history
1924 World Series title belongs to D.C., not Minnesota
On August 11, 2024, the Minnesota Twins commemorated the 1924 World Series victory of the Washington Senators. Why? The casual fan may have forgotten that the Twins’ franchise began in D.C. in 1901 as the Washington Senators, an original member of the American League. Calvin Griffith, who inherited control of the team from his uncle, … Continue reading 1924 World Series title belongs to D.C., not Minnesota
July 15, 2005: Nationals lose on a walk-off balk
In the first year in Washington, the Nationals surprisingly were leading the National League East half way through the season. After winning 24 one-run games before the All-Star break, thanks in large part to the work of their All-Star closer, Chad Cordero, the Nats had suddenly experienced a reversal of fortune. In Milwaukee on July … Continue reading July 15, 2005: Nationals lose on a walk-off balk
June 8, 2010: Was Strasburg’s debut the greatest ever?
In its first issue of 2024, the venerable Baseball Digest chose Stephen Strasburg’s 2010 debut, at Nationals Park against Pittsburgh, as the greatest first-game performance in MLB history. Clearly, because of the hype surrounding Strasburg’s selection as the first player chosen in the 2009 draft, and his short but dominant two stops in the minors, … Continue reading June 8, 2010: Was Strasburg’s debut the greatest ever?
Who moved the Senators?
Two men, one an heir and the other an unscrupulous financier, were responsible for Washington losing its two American League baseball teams, 11 years apart. The first was Calvin Griffith. He did what his uncle, Clark Griffith, never considered: moving the original Washington A.L. team to Minnesota. The District then was stuck with an expansion … Continue reading Who moved the Senators?
A pitcher wearing number 1? It’s happened before
It's rare but not unique. Five pitchers in MLB history had worn uniform number 1 before MacKenzie Gore of the Nationals began wearing it in 2023. Gore became the first Nationals’ pitcher to wear a single-digit number, let alone number 1. He also became the first MLB pitcher to wear it for more than one … Continue reading A pitcher wearing number 1? It’s happened before
Four pitchers in Nats’ games got a triple play from the first batter they faced
Lefty Sammy Solis faced a daunting task when he came in the eighth inning on July 29, 2016, in San Francisco against the Giants. Two other Nats relievers had loaded the bases without retiring a batter. Max Scherzer had left after seven solid innings with a 4-1 lead. Oliver Perez started the inning by giving … Continue reading Four pitchers in Nats’ games got a triple play from the first batter they faced
June 18, 1961: Devastating loss sends expansion Nats into downward spiral
The expansion Senators, surprisingly, split their inaugural season’s first 60 games. After beating the Orioles on June 15, the Nats stood 30-30 in fifth place in the 10-team league when they arrived in Boston to begin a four-game series. The Red Sox were two games under .500 in sixth place. After blowing a 6-0 lead Friday … Continue reading June 18, 1961: Devastating loss sends expansion Nats into downward spiral
Senators’ Alyea, Nationals’ Milone homer on first pitch they see
Outfielder Brant Alyea was a September call-up for the expansion Senators in 1965. Manager Gil Hodges sent him up as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning against the Angels in D.C. on September 12. He hit lefty Rudy May’s first pitch over the left-field fence. The three-run homer put the Nats up 6-0 on the … Continue reading Senators’ Alyea, Nationals’ Milone homer on first pitch they see
1949 Nats set record, winning nine in a row but finishing last
Until 1949, no Washington team since Clark Griffith’s arrival in 1912 had ever lost 100 games. Managed by Joe Kuhel, the '49 Senators[1] finished at 50-104, despite being in fourth place, a game over .500 on June 12. A May 1949 winning streak also would become, at season's end, the record for consecutive wins by … Continue reading 1949 Nats set record, winning nine in a row but finishing last
‘Baseball Bill’ helped stop Bob Short from coming back to D.C.
“Baseball Bill” Holdforth was a longtime bartender and voracious beer drinker who also was a rabid Washington Senators’ fan. He was an usher at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium before the team moved to Texas. In 1978, Holdforth earned himself a place in Washington baseball history through his determination to ensure that Robert Short paid a … Continue reading ‘Baseball Bill’ helped stop Bob Short from coming back to D.C.
Is Walter Johnson the all-time greatest pitcher?
April 14 is the anniversary of two of the best games Washington’s Walter Johnson pitched in his magnificent career. On that date in 1926, at age 39, he went 15 innings to beat the Philadelphia Athletics, 1-0. He allowed six hits and let no runner advance beyond first base. Johnson himself considered this his masterpiece, … Continue reading Is Walter Johnson the all-time greatest pitcher?
Presidential openers and D.C.
During his long tenure in Washington, Clark Griffith cultivated relationships with every U.S. President from William Howard Taft to Dwight Eisenhower. The Nats’ owner helped keep baseball going during World War I and again in World War II. See my SABR team ownership history (or on this site) of the original Senators for more about … Continue reading Presidential openers and D.C.
Washington baseball history 