D.C. Baseball History - Latest Comments

Re: Bam Bam Harper?

Peter MacHare — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:24:50 -0000

Bryce Aron Max Harper

All the initials work

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

robert — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:48:21 -0000

What a terrible trade the Mcdermott trade was. Jensen is right up there with Dwight Evans as the finest Sox RFder. Sadly, his career ended early because of his fear of flying. One good thing for both the Nat's and the Sox was that he was taken from the Yankees.

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

robert — Sun, 13 May 2012 22:37:17 -0000

Had they played their cards right, the '64 Nat's pen would have been led by Hoyt Wilhelm, followed by Ted Abernathy, Steve Hamilton, Ron Kline and Ed Roebuck. The last two were in that pen while the others were fumbled away. The rotation was Osteen,Ortega,Pascual,and Coleman. This staff would have produced 5 to 8 more wins that season, IMO.

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

robert — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:35:53 -0000

GREAT WEBSITE. STILL THINK THE NAT'S SHOULD BE IN THE AL.

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History – Myatt goes 6 for 6

Jjswol — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:02 -0000

Hod Lisenbee was the last player born in the 1800's to play in the major leagues.

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

Colonel — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:29:31 -0000

I was there and remember it well. What a great day for the Nats!

Re: Looking Back on Jackie Robinson Day – Washington Senators were Behind the Times

Mhornbaker — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:15:19 -0000

Thanks for sharing that story, Jim.

Re: Looking Back on Jackie Robinson Day – Washington Senators were Behind the Times

jim vankoski — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:11:54 -0000

Mickey Vernon once told me a funny story about Carlos Paula. Once at a game in Fenway Park Carlos was playing left field when a hard hit ball went right through his legs. He turned to retrieve the ball when the ball hit the Green Monster and rolled through his legs going in the opposite direction. An interesting scoring decision to say the least.

Re: Nats fall to Cubs, Open Series with Mets

pamhornbaker — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:03:28 -0000

Go O's, can't wait till June Mark.

Re: 1969 in Washington, D.C. – A Special, Memorable Opening Day

Steve — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 10:02:04 -0000

William Y. - thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed the article. I absolutely love the '69 Nats team. Nearly every one of them was dismissed as a failure in baseball at some point in their careers, but all of them persevered, had some good moments, and lasted long enough in the game to earn pensions. Nearly all of them also went on to great success on other teams, as coaches, or in business. Tim Cullen, Darold Knowles, and Mike Epstein helped the A's win championships. Del Unser was the hero of the 1980 play-offs for the Phillies. Ed Brinkman's injury in the '72 ALCS was the factor that kept the Tigers out of the Series. Joe Coleman pitched one of the best playoff games ever that season. Jim French and Jim Hannan became successful businessmen and Hannan was instrumental in forming the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Dave Baldwin became a renaissance man and author. Dick Bosman trains the Tamp Bay minor league pitchers, many of whom now excel in the Show.

What a special, wonderful, unique club of men! We in DC should be proud to claim all of them, not just Frank Howard and Teddy Ballgame, as our own, our sports heroes!

Re: Ike and Mickey

Jack L. Hayes — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:38:08 -0000

I just read the above article by Jim Vankoski and couldn’t resist making a couple of comments. First, when I was the visiting team’s batboy at Griffith Stadium in 1953 and 1954, I was fortunate in getting to know and watch Mickey Vernon play in two of his three best seasons in baseball. Without question, Mickey Vernon had to be one of the most dedicated and best-liked ballplayers in the majors. With that said, I have found that such individuals generally surround themselves with others “cut from a similar mold”. While I have never personally met Jim Vankoski, it is easy to understand why he is in charge of the Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum. Once I decided to write my book, I remembered seeing that autographed photograph of Mickey and President Eisenhower in a newspaper. Since I was present at those two games, I attempted to find the individual who “owned” the copyright and ask permission to use the photo in my book. After a somewhat fruitless search, Mark Hornbaker, dcbaseballhistory.com contacted me and told me to get in touch with Mr. Vankoski. I did, and permission to use the photo was quickly granted. Thanks Jim!
As a side-note, in addition to the commemorative card set mentioned above, I have found that this non-profit Museum has a variety of other “neat” things including a DVD of Mickey Vernon, nineteen caricatures of baseball players, and limited print editions of Mickey’s Horsehide that contains the autographs of players from all eight 1957 American League baseball teams.
Jack Hayes

Re: My Almost Unbelievable Story

Jack L. Hayes — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:45:45 -0000

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed my response. Since you mentioned buying my book and you also commented about wishing to have seen a game with the Senators playing the Red Sox, I hope you enjoy Chapter 12 (Ted Williams). I believe that I saw and grew to respect the Ted Williams that few others got to see. I think this chapter will also assist you in helping to better understand why Ted's relationship with the press was less than positive, especially as it relates to the Most Valuable Player Award voting which took place during the 1942 and 1947 seasons.

Re: My Almost Unbelievable Story

cyclonus5150 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:48:32 -0000

Jack - This was more than I could have ever hoped for in terms of a response. I'm going to grab your book and dig into chapter 3. I guess for me the truly romantic allure of Griffith is a baseball experience that seems to have been all about the game. Today's fan experience is so incredibly distracted by a cornucopia of foods, drinks, souvenirs and amenities. While I love all of these things - they've all I've ever known - there is certainly a part of me that would give anything to go back in time to watch the Senators play the Red Sox at Griffith Stadium on a beautiful Washington spring afternoon.

It absolutely blows me away that a place with so many incredible memories - a field of legends - simply doesn't exist anymore. Gone without a trace. It was just as important as Fenway or Wrigley, in my opinion.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Re: My Almost Unbelievable Story

Jack L. Hayes — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:27:06 -0000

I have attempted to answer each of your questions in a one-by-one manner, see below:
“I'm dying to hear some more details about Griffith. I know these things are mundane to most but “I want to know what game day was like.” Game day was great fun—that was—after my clubhouse chores (ensuring the clubhouse was clean, towels in place, drink cooler and snack boxes filled, etc.) were done. My boss, Isadore Siegel, was just great to work for and once my chores were completed, he would let me go on the field with the team during batting practice. Players in those days were just great! My fondest memories must include receiving batting lessons from Ted Williams, bunting tips from Phil Rizzuto, having fun and playing catch with Satchel Paige. Then there were many others who treated this kid just fantastic including Casey Stengel, Mickey Vernon, Gene Verble, Vern Stephens, Jim Piersall, and Nellie Fox. Oh, I could go on forever!
As for the field, imagine what it was like to be in the same outfield where Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and dozens of other immortal stars played. After the game, the other batboy and I picked up towels, emptied trash, and swept the clubhouse. We also had to make certain that the dugout was clear and no team items left behind. The biggest job, cleaning and polishing every player’s spikes and properly placing them in front of their lockers, took a great deal of time as at least twenty-five pairs were involved.

“What kinds of food did they sell and did they have a lot of concession stands?” Food consisted of mostly hot dogs and peanuts. As for the number of concession stands, I don’t remember, but I don’t think there were many. However, vendors were always passing throughout the stands selling their items.

“What was it like to walk up to and into the stadium?” Without question, my greatest memory of walking up and into the stadium took place on that Saturday in January 1953, when I went to the Senators’ clubhouse to meet with Mr. Baxter regarding a batboy job. As I said in my book, the word excited could not come close to describing just how I felt. I was told to enter through a particular gate that was unlocked and once inside, the stadium was empty and a ghostlike silence loomed throughout as I made my way to the locker room. As I walked I could see that magnificent playing field and not a person in sight. There were rows of pay telephones and a number of empty concession stands. One of the most memorable things was the strong odor of baking bread. (I knew this smell because we lived in a small apartment above Sam’s Bakery in the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue S.E.) I would later discover that that great smell was coming from a nearby bakery. (FYI, I devoted Chapter 3 of my book to “The Marvels of Griffith Stadium” and it includes a number of stadium characteristics and a few interesting bits of history.)

“Were there sports bars and activities outside and around the stadium?” There was nothing like the sports bars we know today. There may have been a neighborhood bar or two near the stadium, but I don’t remember seeing any. Keep in mind that during the early ‘50s, a number of businesses and even schools throughout D.C. were segregated until a court ruling in 1954. Also, in the early ‘50s, very few bars or even families had one of those black and white small screen televisions that was packaged inside of an enormous console. (In those days, the picture tube was huge and the TV components consisted of a variety of somewhat good size tube and electronic board sizes.) The one place that I visited occasionally after I became a batboy was a “greasy-spoon” restaurant in close proximity to the entry gates. It was fairly common for a player or two to ask me to run an errand and pick up some type of sandwich for them. Naturally, such a run usually meant that the player would give me a small tip ranging anywhere from 25 cents up to a dollar.

“Were there hat and t-shirt vendors outside? How much were tickets? Did they do special promotions?” I don’t remember seeing vendors on the streets, but there were a few inside of the stadium selling caps, scorecards, Senators pennants, photo books, etc. Tickets in those days were $2.50 for box seats, $1.25/1.50 grandstands, bleachers were once 60 cents and later 75 cents.
Promotions for kids like me before my batboy days was to join Bob Wolf’s Knot-Hole Gang. Each kid who joined this group received a membership card along with the ability to attend a few promotional Senators’ baseball games free of charge. Sometimes, school patrol kids could get in free and well as some school baseball teams during various promotions. I had other money-saving arrangements as well. Bleacher tickets cost only seventy-five cents, and practically every kid around D.C., knew that by the seventh inning—more likely than not—they would be able to sneak down from the bleachers into the grandstands for a better view, or if really lucky, into an empty box seat close to the visiting team’s dugout.

Cyclonus, hopefully I have satisfactorily answered your questions. I have only mentioned a few highlights of my experiences at Griffith Stadium and I shall always remember and cherish every moment that I spent there.
Jack Hayes

Re: My Almost Unbelievable Story

cyclonus5150 — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:06:16 -0000

I'm dying to hear some more details about Griffith. I know these things are mundane to most but I want to know what game day was like - what kinds of food did they sell and did they have a lot of concession stands? What was it like to walk up to and into the stadium? From the pictures I've seen, it looks like there were a ton of buildings you had to enter prior to geting into the actual stadium. Something like an amusement park, no? Were there sports bars and activities outside and around the stadium? Were there hat and t-shirt vendors outside? How much were tickets? Did they do special promotions?

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

Emmett McAuliffe — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:33:25 -0000

do not forget that Eugene and his brother Lee who played for the Cardinals were both Washington DC natives.

Re: Washington D.C. Baseball History – Spring Training

Leo Schumacher — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:06:45 -0000

I have old slides of an exhibition game played at tinker field between the senators and phila. athletic where Connie Mack and Calvin Griffith are receiving some kind of a award. looks to be around 1946-49. Any help that I can receive would be helpful.

Re: Chad Cordero Memories

Michael LaGroux — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:30:42 -0000

I really enjoyed this! Thanks for the memories! I wonder when the Nats will honor Chad......

Re: Washington D.C. Baseball History – Spring Training

Mark Hornbaker — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:02:54 -0000

Yes, the Expos were in Viera 2003-2004.

The Montreal Expos held spring training in the following locations: West Palm Beach (1968-1972); Daytona Beach (1973-1980); West Palm Beach (1981-1997); Jupiter (1998-2002); Viera (2003-2004).

Re: Washington D.C. Baseball History – Spring Training

Terry — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:51:26 -0000

Why Viera? Was it the Expos ST spot?

Re: American League baseball players drawn by Vic Johnson – Mickey Mantle

Mark Hornbaker — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:30:36 -0000

Vic Johnson was a longtime Boston sports cartoonist, who gave the Boston Red Sox - in the long interval between their pennants of 1946 and 1967 - the nickname, "The Little Rich Kids."
http://www.historyforsale.com/...

Re: Tigers Outbid Nats for Fielder; Team Set for Gio Intro

Marty Niland — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:46:02 -0000

Couldn't agree with you more on Fielder. Looks like Lidge will be that veteran presence in the bullpen now. Will be interesting to see where this move leaves Coffey, though. I don't see how they could pass on bringing back Ankiel as a defensive specialist and platoon player, especially to light a fire under Werth. The big money center fielder may have to wait until next season, though. Let's see if Eury Perez can help there.

Re: Tigers Outbid Nats for Fielder; Team Set for Gio Intro

Man — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:44:42 -0000

Re: Tigers Outbid Nats for Fielder; Team Set for Gio Intro

Steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:07:55 -0000

I'm glad they passed on Fielder if 9 years was what it took. But they need to spend that $$ elsewhere on other needs! CF and the bench look really weak and they need a veteran reliever to help the kids. Bringing back Ankiel and Coffey would help!

Re: This Date in Washington Senators History

Mark Hornbaker — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:57:36 -0000

Yes, Bob Allison had a great rookie season in '59.
http://www.baseball-reference....

The link below is for your son the history buff. Before and during the Civil War a lot of baseball was being played in D.C.
http://dcbaseballhistory.com/2...