This Date In Washington Senators history...

[TallIndian]

Yes that's the one! The game started around 11PM DC time. I had to listen to the transitor with the volume turned down.

[Steve Jeltz]

May 12

1926 Walter Johnson picks up his 400th career victory as the St. Louis Browns fall to the Sens 7-4 at Griffith Stadium.

1956 An 8 run bottom of the second propels the Senators to a 12-9 win over Boston. Washington's Jerry Snyder falls a single short of the cycle and drives in 5 of his 14 RBI's for the year. Roy Sievers and Ernie Oravetz chip in 2 runs apiece. Every Sens position player picks up at least 1 hit and scores a run, except for Pete Runnels, who wears an 0 for 5 collar.

1964 Baltimore's Dave McNally throws a 2 hit complete game as the Orioles whitewash the Sens 5-0 at RFK. Chuck Hinton and Fred Valentine collect the only 2 Senators hits.

1968 At RFK, Frank Howard hits 2 home runs as the Sens defeat the eventual World Champion Tigers 6-3. Joe Coleman gets the complete game win, upping his mark to 2-2.

Senators Birthdays

James Harry Dean B May 12, 1915 D Jun. 1, 1960

Another "short timer" with the Senators, Harry Dean pitched in 2 games for the Senators in 1941. His short record covers 2 IP, 3 runs (1 earned) for an ERA of 4.5.

Harry Dean career record

Edward Hoyte (Ed) Lyons B May 12, 1923 D Jan. 25, 2009

Ed Lyons appeared in 7 games for the 1947 Senators, hitting 4 for 26 for a .154 BA

Ed Lyons career record

George Earl McNeely B May 12, 1898 D Jul. 16, 1971

Earl McNeely spent 8 years in the major leagues, from 1924-1931, spending his first 4 years in Washington and ending his career with the St. Louis Browns. Perhaps his best season with the Senators was 1926 when he appeared in 124 games, with 134 hits in 442 AB, good for a .303 BA. He was a prt of the World Championship team in 1924 and the pennant winner of 1925.

Earl McNeely career record

Thomas Mullen Umphlett B May 12, 1930 Still living

An outfielder from 1953-1955, Umphlett's best season was his rookie year when hit hit .283 with 3 home runs with the Red Sox. He spent the 1954 & 1955 seasons in Washington where his hitting didn't match the promise he showed in his rookie season.

Tom Umphlett career record

[TallIndian]

That was the start of Frank Howard's home run streak -- 10 home runs in 20 at bats. Don Mattingly may have broken that record.

It was a home game but was televised. Howard and Ken McMullen hit back-to-back homers (off Mickey Lolich, IIRC).

Tigers went on to win the World Series and the Nats finished a gazillion games behind the Tigers.

But you took what you could get back then!

[Steve Jeltz]

Actually, Howard and Ken McMullen did not go deep back to back. Their homers off Lolich were sandwiched around a Cap Petersen strikeout.

I was checking out Howard's games played from that streak. Howard hit 10 homers with 17 RBI in 6 games from May 12-18. Of those 10 home runs, 5 put the Sens ahead, so it wasn't as though the Sens were trailing or leading big. The Nats went 3-3 in those 6 games, but easily could have been 6-0 during that stretch if the pitching would have held late inning leads.

[Steve Jeltz]

May 13

1903 A 3-0 win at St. Louis snaps a 7 game losing streak for the Sens. The 1903 Nats will finish in last place with a 43-94 record under manager Tom Loftus.

1926 "Bullet" Joe Bush records his only victory as a Senator as the defending AL champs knock off the Browns 6-2 in Washington. The victory keeps the Nats in a 1st place tie with the Yanks, but this would be the Sens final day in first. Bush, acquired with OF Jack Tobin from the Browns for pitchers Tom Zachary and Win Ballou, would go 1-8 with a 6.69 ERA before being sold to Pittsburgh in July.

1932 Alvin "General" Crowder shuts out Detroit 7-0 at Briggs Stadium as the Senators improve to 18-5 on the season. For Crowder, this victory is one of a career high 26 victories that he will record for the season.

1948 The Senators trade OF Leon Culberson and $20,000 to the Yankees for OF Bud Stewart. Stewart would play 3 seasons with the Sens, with the 1948 season ranking as the best year of his career, when he hit .279 with 7 HR and 69 RBI. Stewart would be dealt to the White Sox in December, 1950 for OF Mike McCormick.

1953 C Ed Fitz Gerald is purchased by Washington from Pittsburgh. Mostly a backup, Fitz Gerald played parts of 7 seasons with Washington before being dealt to Cleveland in 1959, where he would finish his career.

1961 The expansion Sens record their first ever shutout. Tom Sturdivant goes the distance as he silences the Red Sox bats 4-0 at Griffith Stadium. Sturdivant yields only 2 base runners in the complete game win.

Senators Birthdays

A trio of Senators birthdays to note today...

Carden Edison Gillenwater B May 13, 1918 D May 10, 2000

Carden Gillenwater began his major league career with the 1940 St. Louis Cardinals, appearing in 7 games as an outfielder. He returned to the majors for another short stint with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943, then played for the Boston Braves in 1945 and 1946. His most active season was 1945 when he appeared in 144 games, batting .288 with 7 home runs. His career ended with the Washington Senators in 1948 when he appeared in 77 games, hitting .244 with 3 home runs.

Carden Gillenwater career record

Frank Vernon Hemphill B May 13, 1878 D Nov. 16, 1950

Frank Hemphill's career was rather brief-13 games with the Chicago White Sox in 1906 and then a return to the majors in 1909 when he appeared in 1 game for the Senators, going 0-3 at the plate.

Frank Hemphill career record

John Junior (Johnny) Roseboro B May 13, 1933 D Aug. 16, 2002

Johnny Roseboro's career began with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957 when he appeared in 35 games. He went west with the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958 and was a mainstay of the Dodgers through 1967, appearing in over 100 games each season during that span. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 1968 season, playing for the Twins in 1968 & 1969.
His last season in the majors was 1970 when he appeared in 46 games for the Senators after being picked up as a free agent during the off-season. He was released by the Senators on August 19th of that year, after appearing in 46 games, hitting .233 with 1 home run.

Johnny Roseboro career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 14

1913 A new major league record is set in St. Louis as Walter Johnson breaks Jack Coombs record of 53 consecutive scoreless innings. The Browns will push a run across in the 4th to snap the streak at 55.2 innings, but the Sens still prevail 10-5.

1914 In Washington, Chicago's Jim Scott no hits the Senators for 9 innings, but Chicago is unable to score in regulation. In the bottom of the 10th, future "Black Sock" Chick Gandil collects the Sens first hit and scores the winning run on Howie Shanks single as the Sens defeat the White Sox 1-0. With the victory, the Senators will begin a season best 7 game winning streak.

1918 Due to increased population caused by WWI and the need for recreation activities, Sunday baseball is legalized in the District of Columbia. Five days later, the Sens beat Cleveland in the first legal Sunday game 1-0.

1920 It's career victory number 300 for the Big Train as the Nats topple Detroit 9-8 at Griffith.

1961 After recording their first ever shutout yesterday, the expansion Senators complete their first ever doubleheader sweep. Joe McClain and Bernie Daniels are the winning pitchers in the twin bill as the Sens sweep the Red Sox 3-0 and 2-1.

1964 The Orioles are unable to solve former teammate Buster Narum, who throws a complete game 4 hitter in a 4-1 Senators win at RFK. Nats 3B Don Zimmer provides all the offense with a 2nd inning grand slam off eventual Hall of Famer Robin Roberts.

Senators Birthdays

Doc Burrell Land B May 14, 1903 D Apr. 14, 1986

Another "One Game Wonder" for the Senators, Doc Land appeared in 1 game as an outfielder in 1906, playing centerfield and batting 0-3 with 1 walk.

Doc Land career record

Anthony (Tony) Smith B May 14, 1884 D Feb. 27, 1964

Tony Smith's career began with the 1907 Senators where he played 51 games as a shortstop. His weak hitting (BA .187) was most likely the reason he did not return to Washington in 1908.
In 1910 & 1911, he was on the roster of the Brooklyn National League team. In 1910 they were known as the "Superbas" with the team name changing to "Dodgers" for the 1911 season. Regardless of team name, Tony's hitting didn't improve much and he departed the majors after 13 games in 1911.

Tony Smith career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 15

1901 The first ever shutout in American League history belongs to Washington. Watty Lee blanks the Boston Americans 4-0 in Boston.

1918 Walter Johnson and Chicago's Lefty Williams each go the distance for 18 scoreless innings. The Nats push a run across in the bottom of the 18th to win 1-0.

1941 Johnny Bloodworth collects the Sens only hit in the bottom of the 7th as the Brown's Denny Galehouse whitewashes the Sens 7-0.

1952 At Detroit, Virgil "Fire" Trucks throws a no hitter as the Tigers beat Washington 1-0. Vic Wertz hits a 2 out, 9th inning, game winning home run of the Sens Bob Porterfield for Detroit's only run.

1965 The 17 year career of Roy Sievers comes to an end as the Senators release the former Rookie of the Year. Over his career, Sievers had a lifetime batting avg. of .267, with 318 HR and 1,147 RBI. Sievers' best seasons were in Washington, where he compiled 4 seasons of knocking in 100 plus RBI. The slugger, in addition to his two stints as a Senator, also played for the Browns, White Sox and Phillies.

1970 The late inning heroics of Frank Howard go for naught as relievers Horatico Pina and Darold Knowles are unable to preserve a 3-2, 9th inning lead over Baltimore. Howard's solo homer, his 12th of the year, in the bottom of the 8th gives the Sens the lead, but the Orioles promptly tie it back up in the 9th. In the top of the 11th, Curt Motton's RBI single gives Baltimore the 4-3 victory.

1971 The Senators battle back from an 8th inning 3-0 deficit to outlast Detroit 4-3 in 15 innings at RFK. Recently acquired Don Mincher's solo homer in the 15th wins it for the home team.

Senators Birthdays

Another quartet of Senators birthdays to note this May 15th...

Joseph Patton (Joe) Evans B May 15, 1895 D Aug. 9, 1953

An 11 year major leaguer who spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians, Joe Evans spent the 1923 season with the Senators, doing duty in the outfield, and at first and third base. A lifetime .259 hitter, Evans managed a .263 BA in Washington. He'd finish his time in the majors with the St. Louis Browns in 1924 & 1925.

Joe Evans career record

Lloyd Benjamin (Ben) Spencer B May 15, 1890 D Sep. 1, 1970

Eight games with the Senators in September of 1913, with a .286 BA make up the career of Ben Spencer. His grandson, long time major leaguer Jim Spencer, is probably better remembered.

Ben Spencer career record

Claude Alfred Thomas B May 15, 1890 D Mar. 6, 1946

Pitching in 7 games for the 1916 Senators, Claude Thomas makes the record books with a 1-2 W/L record and an ERA of 4.13.

Claude Thomas career record

James Charles (Jimmy) Wasdell B May 15, 1914 D Aug. 6, 1983

Jimmy Wasdell played in the majors for 11 years. Starting with the Senators in 1937, he would also appear in the uniforms of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians. He would appear in 1 game with the Indians in April of 1947 at the end of his major league service.

An outfielder/1st baseman during his time in Washington, he never saw much playing time. In 1938 he would appear in 53 games. His best year at bat while in a Senators uniform would be 1939 when he hit .303 while appearing in only 29 games. His most active seasons would be with the Phillies in 1943-1945.

Jimmy Wasdell career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 16

1921 Led by the bat of Ty Cobb, who pounds out 4 hits, scores 4 runs and swipes a base, the Tigers complete a 3 game sweep of the Nats in Detroit by a 17-11 score. Senators pitching gives up 33 runs in the series.

1930 The Senators sweep a twin bill from the Philadelphia A's 5-3 and 4-0 at Shibe Park. The wins move the Senators into first place ahead of eventual AL champion Philadelphia.

1933 In a wild extra inning contest with Cleveland at Griffith Stadium, both squads combine to use a then ML record 11 pitchers as the Sens win 11-10 in 12 innings. SS Cecil Travis collects 5 hits in his ML debut.

1968 Frank Howard continues his torrid hitting with his third 2 HR game in 4 games as the Sens defeat the Tribe in Cleveland 4-1. Howard, with his 2 homers, ties the AL record with 7 HR in 4 games (at least 1 homer in each game). LHP Barry Moore picks up his first victory of the season, with Dennis Higgins getting the save.

1969 At Comiskey Park, 1B Mike Epstein slugs 3 home runs, but it is not enough as the Nats fall to the White Sox 7-6. The Sens overcome a 6-1 Sox lead, but Chicago's Carlos May leadoff homer off Casey Cox in the bottom of the 7th is the difference maker. All the Senators runs are scored on home runs, as Frank Howard collects his 14th and PH Brant Alyea connects off the White Sox Wilbur Wood.

Reference: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/chron...month=5&day=16

Senators Birthdays

The stork gets a break-no player for the Washington Senators was born on May 16th.

[TallIndian]

What I remember most at the 3-homer game was that we lost on the Carlos May homer and that, the next day, on MLB game of the week, Curt Gowdy kept referring to Mike as 'Mike Ep-STINE'.

Epstein, IIRC, may have been batting .086 before being sent to Buffalo. Ted Williams bought him back up and platooned him with some success.

Epstein seemed to be in a long line of Orioles who had fabulous minor league power stats but never consistently acheived those same stats in the majors -- Curt Blefary, Roger Freed, Drungo Hazewood were the others that I recall.

[Steve Jeltz]

May 17

1925 At Cleveland, Tris Speaker picks up hit number 3,000 of his fabulous career, but the Senators spoil the occasion by winning 2-1.

1930 The Nats trample Philadelphia 16-5. In the bottom of the 5th, OF Sammy West of the Sens hits a 3 run homer that causes a fan to have a fatal heart attack.

1935 Should be Hall of Famer Buddy Myer goes 3 for 3, with 4 RBI, as the Sens hold off Detroit 10-8 in the nation's capital.

1946 Bob Feller strikes out 14 Washington batsmen as the Tribe shutouts the Nats 4-0 in game one of a doubleheader in Cleveland. Washington takes the 2nd game, 9-4, as the game is called in the 8th due to darkness.

1961 In the House that Ruth Built, the Senators stave off a late inning rally by the Yanks and hold on for the 8-7 victory. Roger Maris hits just his 4th homer of the year and begins a stretch of hitting 24 HR in 38 games. Maris would, of course, hit 61 homers in 1961.

1968 Sailing into the top of the 9th with a one hitter and a 2-1 lead, Tigers pitcher Joe Sparma gives up a leadoff single to Del Unser. One out later, Sparma faces the white hot Frank Howard. Hondo belts his 8th homer in 5 games to give the Sens a 3-2 lead.

But, unfortunately for the Nats, there was a bottom frame of the inning. P Dave Balwin gives up a leadoff single to Norm Cash. After a sac bunt moved PR Dick Tracewski to second, Nats manager Jim Lemon summons P Steve Jones in from the bullpen. Jones induces PH Mickey Stanley to hit a grounder to first for what would have been the second out, but Howard boots the grounder, putting Tigers at 1st and 3rd. Detroit promptly ties it up with game tying single from PH Jim Price. After Jones walks Dick McAuliffe to load the bases, the dangerous Jim Northup steps in. Northup deposits a Jones pitch for a game winning grand slam and a difficult 7-3 loss.

1971 A seemingly harmless pop fly by Sens RF Tom McGraw to shallow left center results in a violent collision between Indians SS Jack Heideman, LF John Lowenstein and CF Vada Pinson. McGraw races around the bases for a solo inside the park homer, but the Senators still fall 6-3 at RFK. Heideman, Lowenstein and Pinson were all injured on the play and had to be taken out of the game.

References: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/chron...month=5&day=17

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET196805170.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WS2/WS2197105170.shtml

Senators Birthday

Frank Russell Woodward B May 17, 1894 D Jun. 11, 1961

Frank Woodward pitched in the major leagues for 5 years with 4 teams. Starting with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1918, his baseball travels also took him to St. Louis (Cardinals), Washington and Chicago (White Sox). He was on the roster of the Washington Senators in 1921 and 1922 but only appeared in 4 games during those 2 years. His most active season was 1919 when he appeared in 34 games, split evenly at 17 games each in a Phillies and Cardinals uniform.

Frank Woodward career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 18

1906 In the 6th inning, Washington's game against Chicago is interrupted when Senators P "Long" Tom Hughes goes after a heckler in the stands. The "Hitless Wonder" White Sox rout the Sens 10-0 in Washington.

1913 Ty Cobb's steal of home in the bottom of the 7th is the only run that Walter Johnson allows as the Sens nip the Tigers 2-1.

1930 The Nats lead in the AL is trimmed to 1 game as Lefty Grove and the Philadelphia A's win 2-1 at Griffith. Sens P Lloyd Brown is the tough luck loser as he surrenders only 3 hits.

1954 The Senators first visit to Baltimore since 1902 is a success as Mickey McDermott gets the victory in the 3-1 win.

1956 1B Pete Runnels goes 5 for 6, including hitting the go ahead single in the top of the 11th, as the Senators top Cleveland 5-4 in 11 innings. Sens C Clint Courtney raps 3 doubles in the game.

1964 Sens CF Don Lock goes yard twice and drives in 4, but a costly error by Nats 3B Don Zimmer opens the floodgates for a Detroit rally in the top of the 9th. The Tigers go on to score 3 in the inning for a 7-6 Detroit victory.

1965 Featuring a Frank Howard grand slam, the Sens drop 7 runs on Detroit in the top of the 5th as the Nats roll to a 15-9 win.

1967 At RFK, Sens P Pete Richert shuts out the Orioles 2-0. 11 days later, Baltimore losing pitcher Frank Bertaina and O's farmhand Mike Epstein will be traded to Washington for Richert.

1968 Frank Howard concludes his record setting week by tying the AL record with homers in 6 straight games in the Senators 8-4 win at Detroit. His 10 homers in 6 games are a major league record, as is his 10 homers during a single week (Sunday through Saturday).

Senators Birthdays

Gilbert Fitzgerald (Gil) Coan B May 18, 1922 Still living

Gil Coan was an outfielder who player 11 years in the major leagues, getting his start with the Senators in 1946. He appeared in over 100 games a year from 1948 through 1952, managing back to back batting averages of .303 in 1950 & '51. After a drop in production in 1953 he was traded to the newly relocated Baltimore Orioles for Roy Sievers. Gil spent 1954 and part of 1955 in Baltimore, also playing for the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants that same season. His career came to an end in 1956 after only 4 games with the Giants in April of that year.

Gil Coan career record

Kenneth Lee Hamlin B May 18, 1935 Still living

Primarily a shortstop during his 7 year career, Ken Hamlin played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1957 & 1959, spent the 1960 season with the Kansas City Athletics, 1961 with the Los Angeles Angels before finishing his major league career with the Senators in 1962, 1965 & 1966. His most active season was 1960 when he appeared in 140 games for Kansas City. In 1965 he hit .273 with 4 home runs for the Senators.

Ken Hamlin career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 19

1919 The Nats are shutout in Detroit 6-0. The loss begins a season high 11 game losing streak that will drop the Sens into 7th place, where they will stay for the rest of the season, finishing 56-84.

1923 After Walter Johnson gives up 3 runs in the 9th, Allan Russell relieves Johnson as the Senators defeat the Sox 6-4 at Commiskey. Johnson's 2 run single in the top of the 9th proves to be the difference.

1925 The Big Train's bat does the talking again. Batting as a pinch hitter in the 9th, Johnson hits a game winning, opposite field homer in Cleveland as the Senators edge the Indians 4-3. Johnson becomes only the second right handed batter to clear the 45 foot right field wall at League Park. The Senators improve to 20-9 on the young season, 1 game back of Philadelphia, with the win.

1946 The Nats broom the White Sox in a twinbill at Chicago. Pale Hose P Ted Lyons absorbs the 4-3 loss in the opener. In game 2, Mickey Vernon hits for the cycle as the Nats hit around Ed Lopat for a 7-1 victory.

1952 Clark Griffith sells C Sherry Robertson, his nephew, to the Philadelphia A's. Robertson will return to Washington in 1953 in a front office capacity.

1966 In Cleveland, SS Ed Brinkman and P Mike McCormick hit back to back homers off Luis Tiant in the 5th. Washington wins easily, 7-2.

1968 A triple dose of bad news for the Sens today in Detroit. First, Frank Howard's consecutive home run streak is halted at 6 games by Detroit's Earl Wilson. Second, the Nats lose the game 5-4. Third, behind the home runs of Dick McAuliffe and future Hall of Famers Al Kaline and Eddie Mathews, the Nats are whitewashed in the nitecap of this doubleheader 7-0.

Senators Birthdays

A trio of Senators birthdays to note this May 19th...

Baldomero Pedro Fernandez (Merito) Acosta B May 19, 1896 D Nov. 17, 1963

Merito Acosta was one of the very early members of the Senators' "Cuban Connection", playing the outfield for Washington from 1913-1918, with a break in 1917. After 3 games with the 1918 Senators he went to Philadelphia to play for the Athletics. Used sparingly, his most active season was 1915 when he appeared in 72 games for Washington. However, his best year at bat was his last, when he hit .302, with 51 hits for the A's. Merito Acosta is the brother of Jose Acosta, who pitched for the Senators in 1920 & 1921.

"Merito" Acosta career record

Jacob Willard (Jake) Early B May 19, 1915 D May 31, 1985

A catcher who played 9 years in the major leagues, Jake Early appeared in a Senators uniform from 1939-1943, then had his career interrupted due to military service in 1944 & 1945. He returned to the Senators in 1946. He was traded to the St. Louis Browns for catcher Frank Mancuso prior to the 1947 season. After playing for the Browns in 1947, he was purchased by the Senators and returned to Washington, finishing his career in 1949. His most active season was 1943 when he appeared in 126 games, his best year at the plate 1941 when he hit .287 with 10 home runs.

Jake Early career record

Hugh Henry (Hughie) Tate B May 19, 1880 D Aug. 7, 1956

Another "One Season Wonder" for the Senators, Hughie Tate's career consisted of appearing in 4 games in late September 1905 where he played left field and went 4 for 13 at bat with one triple, good for a .308 BA.

Hughie Tate career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 20

1909 After opening the season with 5 losses, Walter Johnson picks up his first victory over the Naps at Cleveland 3-2.

1920 Deadlocked at the end of 14 innings at 3, the White Sox and Senators each score twice in the 15th. In the top of the 16th, the Pale Hose explode for 8 runs, a ML record for runs scored by a team in the 16th inning, as the Nats lose 13-5.

1948 At St. Louis, the Sens get trounced by the Browns 17-7. The 17 runs is the most allowed by the Sens this year.

1952 In his third year in the bigs, 40 year old P Connie Marrero shuts out the Browns at Sportsman Park 2-0. 1952 would be Marrero's best season with a 11-8 record and a 2.88 ERA.

1962 The Sens and Kansas City A's split a doubleheader in D.C. Claude Osteen's solid start goes for naught as he surrenders a ninth inning homer to Manny Jimenez for a 1-0 A's win in the opener. The Sens avoid the broom by pulling out a 7-5 victory in the second game.

1965 At Tiger Stadium, the Senators blow 1 run leads in the 9th and 10th innings of a 9-8 defeat to the Tigers. After the Nats score 2 in the top of the 9th to take a 7-6 lead, Detroit C Bill Freehan ties it in the bottom frame with an RBI double. In the top of the 10th, PH Don Lock regains the Senators lead with a solo HR off Tiger P Ron Nischwitz. Now winning 8-7 in the bottom of the 10th, Sens P Marshall Bridges gives up a 2 run, game winning HR to Senators nemesis Dick McAuliffe.

1966 Trailing the California Angels 5-2 going into the bottom of the 8th, the Sens stage a comeback. A 2 run HR by C Paul Casanova and a RBI single from RF Fred Valentine ties the game in the 8th. Frank Howard's RBI single in the bottom of the 9th off Angels P Lew Burdette completes the comeback and the Nats 6-5 win.

1969 The Senators record their first ever victory over the Seattle Pilots at RFK 6-5. Mike Epstein's socks a 2 run homer in the 8th to put the Sens in the lead for good. Dennis Higgins gets the victory, while Seattle's Marty Pattin absorbs the loss.

Senators Birthdays

It's "A through Z" today, as May 20 has 5 Senators birthdays, starting with Appleton and ending with Zardon...

Peter William Appleton* B May 20, 1904 D Jan. 18, 1974

*=Baseball Reference notes that Pete Appleton was born "Peter William Jablonoski" and legally changed his name to Appleton in 1933.

Pete Appleton played 14 years in the big leagues, from 1927 through 1945 although he did not appear in the majors in 1934 or 1935. Starting with the 1927 Cincinnati Reds, his career saw him on the rosters of the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Senators (twice), Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Browns. After appearing in 1 game for the 1933 Yankees, Appleton wouldn't appear in a major league game again until 1936 when he was picked up by the Senators. A pitcher, Appleton's best season was 1936 when he appeared in 38 games for Washington, going 14-9 with an ERA of 3.53.

After the '39 season, he was traded to the White Sox, along with Taffy Wright for Gee Walker.

Pete Appleton career record

Joseph Harris B May 20, 1891 D Dec. 10, 1959

Joe Harris was another player who bounced around the majors, playing for 6 teams in a 10 year career that included some "broken service". Primarily a first baseman, Harris also played in the outfield and could fill in at short and 3rd. Appearing in 2 games for the 1914 Yankees, Harris would show up in the majors again with the Cleveland Indians in 1917 & 1919 and not return again until he made the Red Sox roster in 1922. He appeared in 192 games with the Senators in 1925 & 1926, hitting .323 with 12 home runs in 1925. From Washington, he headed west, to spend 1927 and a portion of 1928 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and finished the season, and his major league career with the 1928 Brooklyn Robins.

Joe Harris career record

Tom Stephen (Plowboy) Morgan B May 20, 1930 D Jan. 13, 1987

Appearing in 14 games with the 1960 Senators, where he went 1-3 with an ERA of 3.75, Tom Morgan started with the Yankees in 1951 and ended his career with the 1963 Los Angeles Angels. His 8-2 record with the 1961 Angels was his best season. Morgan also appeared on the roster of the Kansas City Athletics and the Detroit Tigers.

Tom Morgan career record

Earl Wellington Rapp B May 20, 1921 D Feb. 13, 1992

Outfielder Earl Rapp played for 5 teams while only spending 3 years in the major leagues. Splitting 1949 between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, Rapp returned to the majors in 1951 splitting that season between the New York Giants and the St. Louis Browns. He returned with the Browns in 1952 only to be sent to the Washington Senators after appearing in 30 games for St. Louis. He appeared in an additional 46 games for the Senators and then disappeared from the major league scene. He actually had a couple of decent half seasons, hitting .327 in 26 games for the 1951 Browns and .284 in 46 games for the '52 Senators. I think the poor guy just tired of moving.

Earl Rapp career record

Jose Antonio Sanchez Zardon B May 20, 1923 Still living

Appearing for just 1 season (1945) with the Senators, Jose Zardon hit .290, appearing in 54 games and playing in the outfield for the Senators.

Jose Zardon career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 21

1913 Trailing Cleveland 2-0 in the top of the 9th, Washington's Alva "Rip" Williams ties the contest with a 2 run, pinch HR. After the Sens score 2 more in the top of the 10th, Walter Johnson is bought in to seal the 4-2 victory.

1925 The Big Train goes 3 for 4 and the Sens defeat the Tigers 6-2 in Detroit. Both teams combine for 9 double plays, a major league record for a 9 inning game.

1935 Bobo goes to Washington. The Senators purchase the contract of St. Louis Brown pitcher Bobo Newsome for the then astronomical sum of $40,000. It is the first of 5 stints that Newsome would have in Washington.

1940 At Comiskey Park, erstwhile Senator and future Sen manager Joe Kuhel collects 5 hits against his ex mates as the White Sox edge the Sens 9-8.

1943 In the fastest night game played in AL history, the White Sox shutout the Senators 1-0 at Griffith. The contest is completed in 1 hour and 29 minutes.

1955 It's Fight Night at Griffith, as Senators P Mickey McDermott and Boston OF Jackie Jenson exchange blows after McDermott applies a hard tag on Jenson. Despite the bout between the players that were traded for one another after the 1953 season, the Senators throw the knockout punch on Boston when they push a run across in the bottom of the 12th for the 1-0 win.

1963 With the Senators mired in 10th place at 14-26 after tonight's 4-3 loss to Chicago, manager Mickey Vernon is dismissed as the Nats manager. Gil Hodges would succeed Vernon two days later, after coach Eddie Yost manages for one game on an interim basis.

1970 Despite 11 walks issued by New York P Mel Stottlemyre, the Senators fail to capitalize as they fall to the Yanks 2-0 at Yankee Stadium. The 11 free passes by Stottlemyre ties a major league record for walks issued in a shutout.

Senators Birthdays

Just a pair of Senators birthdays to note today...

Yancey Wyatt (Doc) Ayers B May 21, 1891 D May 26, 1968

Doc Ayers spent 9 years in the major leagues beginning with the Senators in 1913. Probably his best season was the 1915 campaign, when he went 14-9 with a 2.21 ERA. Traded to the Detroit Tigers during the 1919 season, he would end his career with Detroit in 1921.

Doc Ayers career record

Edward Raymond Fitz Gerald B May 21, 1924 Still living

Ed Fitz Gerald first appeared as a major league catcher in 1948 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In May 1953, he was purchased by the Washington Senators where he would spend the next 6 seasons. In May of 1959 he was traded by the Senators to the Cleveland Indians for Hal Naragon and Hal Woodeshick. He would be released by the Indians in April of 1960 before appearing during the regular season.

Never heavily utilized, his most active seasons were 1948 (102 games) and 1954 (115 games). A career .260 hitter, possibly his best season was 1956 when he batted .304 while appearing in 64 games.

Ed Fitz Gerald career record

[Steve Jeltz]

May 22

May 22 was a relatively uneventful day in Washington Senator history.

1938 At Griffith Stadium, Ted Lyons of Chicago collects his 200th career victory as the Sox down the Nats 9-2.

1953 Sparked by OF Clyde Vollmer's 3 run double and 2 run homer, the Senators pound Yankee pitching for 18 hits in a 12-4 Senators rout. In the top of the 9th, Yanks OF Irv Noren lines into a game ending triple play. Former Yankee farmhand Bob Porterfield pitches the CG.

1963 Eddie Yost's managerial career record will go into the record books at 0-1. Yost, in place of disposed skipper Mickey Vernon, pilots the Sens to a 9-3 drubbing at the hands of the White Sox in RFK.

Senators Birthdays

Another quintet of birthdays on May 22nd...

Franklin (Frank) Coggins B May 22, 1944 D Oct. 30, 1994

Frank Coggins played for parts of 2 seasons for the expansion Senators, starting as a late season call up in 1967. A second baseman, Coggins managed a .307 average with 1 home run in 19 games. Unfortunately, that would be the best performance of his career. With the 1968 Senators, he played in 62 games, managing a .175 average before being demoted to AAA.
Coggins would appear in 6 games, with 1 AB for the 1972 Chicago Cubs.

Frank Coggins career record

Foster Pirie (Babe) Ganzel B May 22, 1901 D Feb. 6, 1978

Outfielder Babe Ganzel is another player who started out with some pretty impressive numbers but quickly fizzled. Playing his first major league games with the Senators in late September 1927, Ganzel managed to hit .438, going 21 for 48 while appearing in 13 games. Returning in 1928, he only appeared in 10 games, hitting just 2 for 26, a paltry .077 BA. Ganzel would never appear in the majors again.

Babe Ganzel career record

Decatur Poindexter (Dick) Jones B May 22, 1902 D Aug. 2, 1994

Dick Jones appeared in 4 games with the Senators in 1926, going 2-1 with a 4.29 ERA. In 1927 he was limited to 2 appearances, pitching 3.1 innings and giving up 8 runs. Mr. Jones would also disappear from major league rosters after April of 1927.

Dick Jones career record

Aloysius Harry Szymanski AKA "Bucketfoot" Al Simmons B May 22, 1902 D May 26, 1956

Hall of Famer Al Simmons should need no introduction, however, in keeping with the format of this thread, outfielder Al Simmons spent 20 years in the major leagues, primarily with the Philadelphia Athletics. He actually spent 3 separate stints with the A's: 1924-1932, 1940-1941 & 1944.

He also appeared with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Boston Bees, Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox.

He appeared in 3 consecutive World Series (1929-1931) while in Philadelphia with both the 1929 and 1930 teams becoming World Champions. He also appeared in the 1939 World Series while with the Reds.

Simmons was the starting center fielder in the All Star games of 1933, 1934 & 1935. Among his impressive statistics are 157 RBI in 1929, and batting averages of .381 in 1930 and .390 in 1931, all league-leading feats.

With the Senators in 1937 and 1938, his better year was 1938 when he batted .302 with 21 home runs.

"Bucketfoot" Al Simmons career record

Jose Martinez de Valdivielso (Lopez) B May 22, 1934 Still living

Another member of the frequently mentioned "Cuban connection", Jose Valdivielso was a utility infielder with the Senators. First appearing in 1955, he was on the Senators roster again in 1956. He would not return to the majors until 1959, having his most active year in 1960 when he appeared in 117 games. He would move west with the original Senators to become a Minnesota Twin where his major league career would end in 1961.

Jose Valdivielso career record