This Date In Washington Senators history...

**Aa3rt** · 04-26-2009, 01:05 AM

1901 The American League starts play in Philadelphia, with the Senators besting the Philadelphia Athletics by the score of 5-1.

1931 The Senators defeat the New York Yankees by a score of 9-7. A bizarre play seals the win for the Senators and possibly costs Lou Gherig the 1931 home run crown. With Yankee Lyn Lary on base, Gehrig homers, a smash that clears the fence but bounces back into the hands of center fielder Harry Rice. Thinking the ball was caught for the third out, Lary heads for the dugout. Gehrig, running with his head down, is called out for passing the runner. Gehrig ends the season tied with Babe Ruth-both have hit 46 home runs. Gehrig finished the season with 184 RBI.

Senators Birthdays

Robert Sylvester (Buzz) Murphy B Apr. 26, 1895 D May 11, 1938

Outfielder Buzz Murphy played in 79 games with the Senators in 1919, collecting 66 hits in 252 at bats, good for a .262 batting average. In 1918, he played for the Boston Braves.

"Buzz" Murphy career record

Sam Dente B Apr. 26, 1922 D Apr. 21, 2002

Sam Dente's baseball career started with the Boston Red Sox in 1947. He spent the 1949-1951 seasons with the Senators, playing 2nd & 3rd base and shortstop. Other stops during his playing days found him making stops with the St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox and ending his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1955.

Sam Dente career record

**Aa3rt** · 04-27-2009, 03:05 PM

1947 It's Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium. 58,339 fans in attendance hear the Babe give his farewell address. Ruth, who was suffering from throat cancer would succumb to the disease the next year. The Senators spoil the the tribute winning 1-0 with the Senators Sid Hudson getting the victory over Spurgeon (Spud) Chandler.

1970 The Senators trade 3rd baseman Ken McMullen to the California Angels for infielder Aurelio Rodriguez and outfielder Rick Reichardt. Reichardt had received a $200,000 bonus in 1964 to sign with the Angels. At the time he was hitting .167 in 9 games for California. Reichardt would appear in 107 games with the Senators, batting .267 with 70 hits, 15 home runs and 46 RBI. He would be traded to the Chicago White Sox prior to the 1971 season for pitcher Gerry Janeski.

1971 Curt Flood leaves the Senators after 15 games, he was batting just .200 at the time. In a 22 word telegram to owner Bob Short he writes: "I tried. A year and a half is too much. Very serious problems mounting every day. Thanks for your confidence and understanding". Rumors of financial problems surrounded Flood, in part stemming from his lawsuit against baseball's reserve clause.

Senators Birthdays

George Archie B Apr. 27, 1914 D Sep. 20, 2001

George Albert Archie spent 3 separate, and brief, stints in the major leagues. In 1938, he played in 3 games with the Detroit Tigers. He returned in 1941 to play 105 games with Washington and an additional 9 with the St. Louis Browns. Then, after another 4 year hiatus, (I'm assuming his career was interrupted by WWII.) he returned in 1946 to play in 4 last games with the St. Louis Browns.

Primarily a 1st/3rd baseman, Archie was traded by Washington to the St. Louis Browns for one of April 25th's birthday boys, Bobby Estalella.

George Archie career record

Orth Collins B Apr. 27, 1890 D Dec. 13, 1949

Orth Stein (Buck) Collins is another "short timer" with a broken period of time in the majors. Playing 5 games with the New York Highlanders (later Yankees) in 1904, Collins would not return to the majors until 1909 when he appeared in 8 games for the Senators. He was an outfielder who was pressed into 1 inning of relief pitching by Washington.

Orth Collins career record

"Dutch" Hinrichs B Apr 27, 1889 D Aug. 18, 1972

William Louis (Dutch) Hinrichs was a pitcher who played in 3 games for the 1910 Senators. He is charged with 1 loss and an ERA of 2.57 in 7 innings pitched.

"Dutch" Hinrichs career record

"Jug" Thesenga B Apr. 27, 1914 D Dec. 3, 2002

A 30 year old rookie, Arnold Joseph (Jug) Thesenga appeared in 5 games for the Senators in 1944. He started 1 game, pitched 12.3 innings, giving up 18 hits and 9 runs (7 earned) for a 5.11 ERA.

"Jug" Thesenga career record

"Kite" Thomas B Apr. 27, 1923 D Jan. 7, 1995

Completing April 27th's birthday list is Keith Marshall (Kite) Thomas. Playing 2 years in the majors, Thomas played the majority of his brief career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1952 & 1953. He was picked up off waivers by Washington in June of '53, and played a grand total of 9 games in a Senators uniform, mainly as an outfielder.

"Kite" Thomas career record

**Aa3rt** · 04-28-2009, 01:35 PM

1911 Walter Johnson picks up his first victory of the season with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia. The only run yielded by the the "Big Train" is a solo HR to Frank "Home Run" Baker. This will be the first of 25 wins for Johnson as he will finish fifth in the AL MVP voting.

Senators Birthdays

Pedro Ramos, B Apr. 28,1935 Still Living

A veteran of 15 major league seasons, the native of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba was an All Star for the Senators in 1959. Used mostly as a starter in his 5 seasons with Washington, Ramos would become an effective reliever in the latter half of his career, particularly with the Yankees. As a late season pickup by the Yankees in 1964, Ramos was an instrumental part of their pennant winning team. Ramos also pitched with Minnesota, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. He ended his career with a 4 game stint with the 1970 Senators, thus becoming one of 9 players to play for both the original and expansion Senators.

Pedro Ramos career record

Thomas Virgil II Sturdivant B Apr. 28, 1930 D Feb. 28, 2009

Drafted from Boston in the 1960 Expansion draft, Sturdivant appeared in 15 games with the Senators in 1961, logging a 2-6 record with a 4.61 ERA. Sturdivant was traded to Pittsburgh on June 28, 1961 for P Tom Cheney.

Tom Sturdivant career record

Francis De Sales McGee B Apr. 28, 1899 D Jan. 30, 1934

Senators Short Timer Frank McGee appeared in 2 games with the 1925 Senators. He went hitless in 3 AB with 1 strikeout.

Frank McGee career record

**Aa3rt** · 04-29-2009, 07:56 AM

1969 At Tiger Stadium, Senators starter Joe Coleman heads into the bottom of the 9th inning with a 4-2 lead over Detroit. Coleman retires 3B Tom Matchick on a fly to left for the first out, but gives up a single to C Bill Freehan and a walk to PH Dave Campbell. Manager Ted Williams lifts Coleman for Frank Bertaina, who walks 2B Dick McAuliffe to load the bases. Williams makes another pitching change by summoning closer Dennis Higgins. SS Mikey Stanley deposits a double to center that scores all 3 Tiger runners as the Senators lose a tough one to the defending WS Champs. Despite pitching to one batter, Bertaina suffers the loss.

1971 Playing their last season as the Washington Senators, the Senators, with a 12-8 won-lost record, head to Chicago to face the White Sox.

Despite home runs from Mike Epstein and Bernie Allen, the Senators would lose 5-4. This is the start of a 6 game losing streak from which the Senators would never recover, finishing the season at 63-96, for a .396 winning percentage. Chicago pitcher Tom Bradley ups his record to 3-0 with the win, Darold Knowles is charged with the loss for the Senators.

Senators Birthdays

Maurice Joseph (Mickey) McDermott B Apr. 29, 1929 D Aug. 7, 2003

Mickey McDermott first appeared in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox in 1948. In a career that spanned 12 years he also played for the Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics (2 separate stints), Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.

Mickey's years wearing the uniform of the Washington Senators were 1954 & 1955, where he compiled a 17-25 record over 2 seasons. His best year was 1953 when he went 18-10 for the Red Sox. Mickey came to the Senators, along with Tom Umphlett, in a trade for Jackie Jensen.

Mickey McDermott career record

Stephen George Ridzik B Apr. 29, 1929 D Jan. 8, 2008

Another well travelled player, Steve Ridzik first played in 1 game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1950. He returned to Philadelphia in 1952, playing for the Phillies and going to the Cincinnati Reds during the 1955 season. He spent 1956 & 1957 with the New York Giants and spent a portion of 1958 with the Cleveland Indians. Then he would not play in the majors again until 1963 when he showed up on the roster of the expansion Senators where he would play from 1963 to 1965 compiling a 3 year total of 11-15. He was purchased by the Philles in early 1966 where he would end his career.

Steve Ridzik

**Aa3rt** · 04-30-2009, 07:51 AM

1939 The Senators win 3-2, beating the Yankees in New York. Making the game notable is the fact that Lou Gehrig's 2,130 consecutive game streak comes to an end today. He is hitting .143 with just 4 hits since the beginning of the season.

Senators Birthdays

Anton Christian (Tony) Brottem B Apr. 30, 1891 D Aug. 5, 1929

Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1916 & 1918, Tony Brottem would reappear in the major leagues in 1921, playing just 4 games as a catcher for the Senators and would finish his playing days with the Pittsburgh Pirates that same year.

"Tony" Brottem career record

Robert E. Edmundson B Apr. 30, 1879 D Aug. 14, 1931

Bob Edmundson was another to have a brief career, this one entirely with the Senators. An outfielder who also made 2 pitching appearances, Edmundson played in just 3 games in the 1906 season and would resurface in 1908 to play in 26 games.

Bob Edmundson career record

Kenneth Leo Retzer B Apr. 30, 1934 Still living

Another catcher, Ken Retzer appeared with the expansion Senators from 1961 to 1964 playing in 237 games over that span. After the 1964 season he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Joe McCabe.

Ken Retzer career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-01-2009, 06:13 AM

1901 The Senators, after bolting to a 4-0 start, suffer their 1st American League defeat. The opponent was none other than the John McGraw led Baltimore Orioles, the forerunners to the Yankees. The Orioles take a 6-4 win in Washington. The Senators would complete their inaugural season with in 6th place with a record of 61-72 under manager Jim Manning. It would be Manning's first and last managerial job.

1925 The defending World Champion Senators improve to 10-3 with a 9-4 victory over Philadelphia. The significance of this game? This game marked the debut of a 17 year old kid by the name of Jimmie Foxx. Foxx hit a pinch single in his debut. Tom Zachary was the Senators winning pitcher.

1927 Rookie Hod Lisenbee shutouts the Red Sox 6-0 in his first major league start at Griffith Stadium. Lisenbee would compile an 18-9, 3.57 ERA for the 1927 Senators. Lisenbee would never approach those numbers again, as injuries and ineffectiveness curtailed his career. In one of the Senators best trades, Lisenbee was shipped to the Red Sox after the 1928 season in multi player deal that netted Washington Buddy Myer again, an important player for the 1933 pennant winning Senators.

1941 In the first night game at Griffith Stadium, the Yankees defeat the Senators 6-5.

1944 At Boston, Sens 2B George Myatt goes 6 for 6 in Washington's 11-4 rout of the Red Sox. Myatt began his career in the NL with the NY Giants in 1938 before the Cardinals purchased his contract before the 1941 season. Myatt did not play a game for the Cards in two seasons and was left unprotected in the the 1942 Rule 5 draft, where Washington selected him. His best season as a Senator was in 1945 when he placed 5th in the AL MVP voting.

After Myatt's playing days ended in 1947, he would go on to a coaching and managing career in the minors and majors. Myatt's only major league managerial position occurred when he succeeded Gene Mauch as the Phillies manager during the 1968 season. A rocky relationship with mercurial Phils star Dick Allen and a 19-35 start in 1969, would eventually seal Myatt's fate as the Phils skipper.

Senators Birthdays

David Austin (Del) Howard B May 1, 1889 D Jan. 26, 1956

Washington, DC native Dave Howard's only game with the Washington Senators came on May 8, 1912. He is credited with 1 run scored and no official at bats. Howard would resurface in 1915 with the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League, where he appeared in 24 games at second and third base and as an outfielder.

Dave Howard career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-02-2009, 05:12 AM

1923 Walter Johnson pitches the 100th shutout of his career with a 3-0 win over the Yankees at Griffith Stadium. The "Big Train" would record 113 shutouts, still a major league record.

Senators Birthday

Lucas Newton Turk B May 2, 1898 D Jan. 11, 1994

Senators Short Timer Lucas Turk appeared in 5 games with the Senators in 1922, finishing with no won/lost record and an ERA of 6.94 in 11.2 innings pitched.

Lucas Turk career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-03-2009, 06:47 AM

1952 The Senators and Yankees make a 6 player trade, the Senators receive Jackie Jensen, Frank (Spec) Shea, Archie Wilson and minor league infielder Jerry Snyder. The Senators send Irv Noren and Tom Upton to New York.

1962 The Senators trade Willie Tasby to the Cleveland Indians. In return, Steve Hamilton and Don Rudolph suit up in Senators uniforms.

Senators Birthday

Charles Edward (Chuck) Hinton, Jr. B May 3, 1934 Still living

Fans of the early expansion Senators probably remember Chuck Hinton as one of the few bright spots on an otherwise lackluster roster. Chuck spent 11 years in the majors, starting with the Washington Senators in 1961. He spent 1965-1967 & 1969-1971 on the roster of the Cleveland Indians, with an interruption in 1968 playing for the California Angels.

Probably Chuck's best year came in 1962 when he hit .310 with 17 home runs in 151 games for a Senators team that would lose 101 games.

Chuck Hinton career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-04-2009, 02:00 PM

Senators Birthdays

Larry Francis Drake B May 4, 1921 D Jul. 14, 1985

An outfielder with a very short career, Larry Drake first appeared in 1 game for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945. He resurfaced in the majors with the Senators in 1948 where he appeared in 4 games, with 2 hits in 7 AB.

Larry Drake career record

Howard Dean (Howie) Koplitz B May 4, 1938 Still living

A pitcher who started his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1961, Koplitz played 2 years with the Tigers, then returned to the major leagues in 1964 with the Senators where he spent parts of 3 seasons, through 1966.

His career record is 9 wins, 7 losses. He went 4-7 with the 1965 Senators.

Howie Koplitz career record

John Anthony (Ox) Miller B May 4, 1915 D Aug. 13, 2007

Beginning his career with the 1943 Senators, Miller split time between the Senators and St. Louis Browns in 1943. He returned to the majors in 1945 and spent 1945 & 1946 with the Browns, ending his playing days with the Chicago Cubs in 1947.

"Ox" Miller career record

Richard Louis (Dick) Nold B May 4, 1943 Still living

A Single Season Senator in 1967, Nold finished with an 0-2 career record, with an ERA of 4.97 in 20.1 innings pitched.

Dick Nold career record

John Thomas (Jack) Tobin B May 4, 1892 D Dec. 10, 1969

Jack Tobin's career began in 1914 with the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League. He'd go on to spend 1916, 1918-1925 with the St. Louis Browns. In 1926 he appeared in 27 games in a Senators uniform before finishing the season with the Boston Red Sox, where he ended his baseball career after the 1927 season. An outfielder, he would finish with a lifetime batting average of .309. His best year would be 1919 when he hit .327 in 127 games for the Browns.

Jack Tobin career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-05-2009, 08:21 AM

1904 After losing their first 13 games of the season, Washington finally picks up its first win by defeating the NY Highlanders 9-4 at Hilltop Park. 3 days later, with the Senators sitting at 1-16, player-manager Mallachi Kiitridge is relieved of his managerial duties in favor of Patsy Donavan, who is embroiled in a contract dispute with the St. Louis Cardinals. Donavan eventually settles the dispute and becomes the Senators manager. Donavan would not fare better than his predecessor, going 37-97 over the rest of the year. The Senators finish 1904 at 38-113, a winning pct. of .252, the worse in franchise history.

Senators Birthdays

Harley Grossman B May 5, 1930 D Sep. 5, 2003

One Game Wonder Harley Grossman was served a bitter cup of coffee on April 22nd of 1952. Pitching in 1 game, for just 1/3 rd of an inning, Grossman would give up 2 runs for a career ERA of 54.04.

Harley Grossman career record

Joe McClain B May 5, 1933 Still living

Joe McClain has the distinction of being the first pitcher to record a win for the expansion Senators franchise on April 14, 1961 over the Cleveland Indians. He looked like a promising pitcher for the expansion Senators in the early 1961 season, going 7-7 with a 3.19 ERA. Unfortunately the wheels fell off after the All-Star break, his record 1-11 with a 4.76 ERA in the second half of the season. His totals for the year were 8-18 with an ERA of 3.86.

Returning with the Senators in 1962, he went 0-4 with a 9.38 ERA before being sent to Syracuse in June. He would never return to the majors.

Joe McClain career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-06-2009, 08:51 AM

1967 Behind 9th inning solo homers by Bob Chance and Paul Casanova, the Senators win their 3rd straight by shutting out the Angels 2-0 in Anaheim. Darold Knowles picks up the victory with 6 solid innings of relief, scattering 2 hits and striking out 6.

Senators Birthdays

Patrick Henry (Pat) Duff B May 6, 1875 D Sep. 11, 1925

One Game Wonder Pat Duff appeared in one game with the Senators in 1906 at the age of 30. What he did in that at bat, we have no idea except that he didn't hit safely, ending his career going 0 for 1 with a batting average of .000. According to the records he did not field, so Pat Duff's proverbial "cup of coffee" in the majors was served on April 16, 1906.

Pat Duff career record

Myron Winthrop (Mike) McCormick B May 6, 1917 D Apr. 13, 1976

There have been 3 players in the major leagues known as Mike McCormick. (Two of them have spent time in a Senators uniform.) The Mike McCormick of interest to us on May 6th was an outfielder who played in the majors for 10 years, missing 1944 & 1945 during WWII. Starting in 1940 with the Cincinnati Reds, this Mike McCormick would also spend time with the Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Chicago White Sox and finish his career in 1951 with the Senators where he would play in 81 games, collecting 70 hits in 243 at bats, good for a respectable .288 average during his one season playing for Washington.

Mike McCormick career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-07-2009, 05:36 PM

1917 Boston's Babe Ruth outduels Walter Johnson 1-0 in Washington. The only run is a sacrifice fly by, who else, the Babe himself.

1957 Charlie Dressen is dismissed as the Senators manager after the Senators drop 8 straight to fall to 5-16. Under new manager Cookie Lavagetto, the Senators drop their 9th straight as they fall to the Tigers 5-3 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. Jim Lemon, Pete Runnels and Faye Thorneberry drive in the Senators 3 runs. Ted Abernathy of the Senators falls to 0-3.

1965 The Senators sweep a doubleheader from the Yankees at RFK Stadium winning by the scores of 4-3 and 7-3. Jim King's 2 run pinch hit HR in the 7th off the Yanks Mel Stottlemyre that breaks a 2-2 tie is the difference in the first game. In the nightcap, the Senators provide more 7th inning magic by scoring 5 runs to erase a 3-2 deficit. Frank Howard's 3 run triple and former Yank Woddie Held's 2 run HR off former Senator Pedro Ramos punctuates the 5 run outburst. Ron Kline saves both ends of the doubleheader with his 6th and 7th saves.

1971 In Minnesota, the Senators score 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning to defeat the Twins 6-5. Trailing 5-2 with 2 outs and nobody on against Bert Blyleven, Washington RF Tom McGraw starts the rally with a triple. Former Twin Bernie Allen follows with an RBI single to center to cut the Twins lead to 2. Catcher Paul Casanova comes through in the clutch with a game tying 2 run homer to chase Blyleven. With the score now tied, SS Toby Harrah greets new Twins pitcher Ray Corbin with a single to left center. After Corbin throws a wild pitch to advance Harrah to second base, PH Denny Billings hits a flyball to right field that is misplayed by Twins RF Tony Oliva that allows Harrah to score the go ahead run.

Senators Birthdays

Sydney Harry (Syd) Cohen B May 7, 1906 D Apr. 9, 1988

Syd Cohen pitched 3 years for the Washington Senators (1934, 1936, 1937) appearing in a grand total of 55 games over those 3 seasons, with a W-L record of 3-7 and an ERA of 4.54.

Syd Cohen career record

Case Lyman Patten B May 7, 1874 D May 31, 1935

A truly "original" Washington Senator, Case Patten's career began in 1901, the inaugural year of the American League. Patten would pitch for the Senators from 1901-1908 and appear in 1 game with the Boston Red Sox in 1908.

He ended his first season with a record of 18-10 and an ERA of 3.93. With the 1906 Senators his record was 19-16 with an ERA of 2.17. Overall, he was 105-127 with Washington, with another loss for the Red Sox thrown in for good measure.

Case Patten career record

Henri Joseph Rondeau B May 7, 1887 D May 28, 1943

Henri Rondeau first appeared in the major leagues in 1913 as a 1st baseman/catcher for the Detroit Tigers in 1913. He returned to the majors in 1915, playing 2 seasons for the Senators in the outfield. His most active season, 1916, was also his last. He appeared in 50 games, going 36 for 162 (.222 BA) with 1 home run.

Henri Rondeau career record

Jonathan Thompson Walton (Tom) Zachary B May 7, 1896 D Jan. 24, 1969

Tom Zachary's career spanned 19 years and he was on the roster of 7 different major league teams. Beginning with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1918, he spent the majority of his career with the Washington Senators (1919-1925, 1927-1928) but also saw service with the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers and ended his career in 1936 with the Philadelphia Phillies. Zachary is one of those 14 players who holds the "distinction" of having played for the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators.

He played for the World Champion Washington Senators in 1924 and went 2-0 in the World Series. He also pitched to a 1-0 record for the New York Yankees in the 1926 Series.

Tom Zachary career record

**Aa3rt** · 05-08-2009, 09:11 PM

1912 Walter Johnson's five game win streak is snapped with a 7-6 defeat at the hand of the White Sox in Washington.

1914 May 8 must not have been a good day for the "Big Train" in his career. On this date in 1914, Johnson comes on in relief against the A's and gives up 6 runs in 3 innings in a game that ends in a 9-9 tie. The "Big Train" throws the only beanball of his career at Frank "Home Run" Baker, who is a career .385 hitter against Johnson until this game. After this game, Baker would only hit .207 off Johnson for the rest of his career.

1937 Bobo Newsome hits the only homer of his career off Detroit's Schoolboy Rowe. The Senators win 8-3 at Detroit.

1948 After suffering 3 straight shutouts, the Senators finally score but still lose to Cleveland 6-1 in Washington. The highlight of this game is Cleveland's Larry Doby's 408 foot, 3 run, inside the park HR which hits the loudspeakers in CF. The ball is declared by the umpire as in play as it bounces back onto the field.

1971 The Senators trade 1B Mike Epstein and P Darold Knowles to Oakland for 1B Don Mincher, P Paul Linblad, C Frank Fernandez and cash. For Mincher, he would become one of 9 players to have played for both the original and expansion Senators.

Senators Birthdays

No one who ever played for the Washington Senators was born on May 8th.

The End It was 1 year ago today (May 8th, 2008) that BBF member "Steve Jeltz" and I combined our efforts to compile this thread with Steve focusing on Senators history which gave me more time to research and cross-reference Senators birthdays.

Unfortunately Steve disappeared from this board in mid-November of 2008 and has not returned.

I cannot vouch for the 100% accuracy of the roster or birthdates but all have been cross referenced between Baseball-Fever's "sister site" Baseball-Almanac and with Baseball Reference with some information gleaned from the SABR website when players were covered.

My next project, to be tackled as time allows, is to compile a roster of living Senators from both the original and expansion franchises.

**welch** · 09-07-2010, 10:03 AM

Joe McClain:

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:Joe McClain B May 5, 1933 Still living

Joe McClain has the distinction of being the first pitcher to record a win for the expansion Senators franchise on April 14, 1961 over the Cleveland Indians. He looked like a promising pitcher for the expansion Senators in the early 1961 season, going 7-7 with a 3.19 ERA. Unfortunately the wheels fell off after the All-Star break, his record 1-11 with a 4.76 ERA in the second half of the season. His totals for the year were 8-18 with an ERA of 3.86.

Returning with the Senators in 1962, he went 0-4 with a 9.38 ERA before being sent to Syracuse in June. He would never return to the majors.

Joe McClain career record
Last edited by Aa3rt; 05-05-2009 at 11:38 AM.

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As I remember, and this might have come from Shirley Povich in the Post or from a story in Nats News (WBHS), McClain's downfall was pitching in the All Star game. Ralph Houk, of the Yankees, told McClain to get ready to pitch. McClain, saidm "hold on a minute", and stuck his throwing arm in a bucket of pine-tar. In the next Nats-Yankees that McClain started, Houk asked the umpires to check McClain for "foreign substances" on his pitching hand. The umps just had to shake hands with Joe and, when their hands stuck, they knew he was guilty. They made him wash off the sticky stuff, and we, Senators fans, discovered that "suddenly" McClain couldn't pitch so well.

**Arlington Stadium Child** · 01-13-2011, 08:49 PM

The Twig actually just retired from professional baseball last year. He was a manager and then a coach for the re-invented Fort Worth Cats.
He won back to back championships with the team a few years ago and then stepped down to be a coach. I worked for the Cats in 2009 and he would park his car as far away from the clubhouse as possible and make the walk across a scorching Texas heat parking lot. He still kicking in Weatherford, Texas.

The original Cats were a AA Texas League Powerhouse for the Brooklyn Dodgers. When they moved to LA, the Cubs AAA PCL team moved to Fort Worth and joined the American Association. The old ballpark that hosted many future Dodger stars and Hall of Famers was destroyed in 1967. Well, mostly destroyed. The original dugouts are still there and the first few rows of seating were still there when they rebuilt the stadium 10 years ago.

When teams move, it affects more than the immediate cities that they play in.