Jordan Zimmermann’s stunning 1-0 one-hit victory over the Cincinnati Reds Friday night quite possibly was the best pitching performance for the Nationals since baseball returned to Washington in 2005. Zimmermann, however, would have to hurl five more complete-game shutouts in order to get close to matching what Walter Johnson did for the Washington Senators exactly 100 years ago. In April ... Read More »
Here is a very different photo of the “Big Train” in April 1939. He is looking at a box of baseballs, autographed by six presidents. These are baseballs that were thrown out as the first pitch by presidents when Johnson was pitching in Washington. A pretty impressive collection, which was donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Read More »
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage parade in Washington. Give the historical importance of that, and the fact that today is Opening Day, here’s an apro pos article for us to share with GoDCers. We came across this one in the Washington Post, published on July 29th, 1914. Special to The Washington Post. St. Louis, Mo., ... Read More »
Ghosts of DC is getting pumped for Washington Nationals 2013 baseball! In preparation for this year, here is the patron saint of Washington, D.C. baseball, the Big Train … Walter Johnson. Read More »
Exactly one year ago today, one of the most spectacular buildings in Washington was badly damaged by the earthquake that shook our city. So much so, that the repairs are going to cost millions of dollars and keep it under scaffolding for several years. If you love this building like we do, consider donating a few bucks to help restore ... Read More »
This is a guest post by Rick. He also wrote a good one on the alley dwellings in Foggy Bottom. The District’s baseball fans are beginning to believe that the 2012 Nationals may actually make it into post-season play and begin what some think will be a long series of annual Fall celebrations, including, just maybe, the second World Series ... Read More »
May 28th, 1941 was an important day in Washington baseball history. That evening, Griffith Stadium hosted its first-ever night game under the newly installed lights. The Senators were playing the powerful New York Yankees, led by Joe DiMaggio, who had a 12-game hitting streak entering the game — he went on to hit safely in 44 more consecutive games. The ... Read More »
Here’s one of the best story tips we’ve received thus far. Thanks to GoDCer Jack in Poolesville who tipped us off to the Big Train’s nuptials being held in a regular apartment at 1498 Monroe St. NW, right on the border of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights. The Big Train is probably my second favorite person to write about (after ... Read More »
Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg and now Bryce Harper. We have had some serious players groomed in the Nationals organization over the last several years. I love these guys, but none of them compare to the granddaddy of them all … the Big Train himself, Mt. Pleasant resident (1843 Irving St. NW), Walter Perry Johnson. The modern debut of Washington superstars ... Read More »
I love baseball — my first post ever was baseball-related — and baseball is back! Opening Day has passed (go Nats!) and the home opener is just around the corner. There is not better way to spend an afternoon than sitting in the stands watching our hometown team. And late spring is the best time to do it. I wanted ... Read More »
The Iron Horse himself, Lou Gehrig, was in our city to celebrate the start of a new year in 1929. He was staying at the old Hotel Occidental on Pennsylvania Ave. Lou was quoted in the Washington Post on January 1st, 1929, after ringing in the New Year … Read More »
The eternally woeful Washington Senators were headed to the World Series in October of 1924 to face the New York Giants. Actually, during the 1920s, they were not that woeful. In fact, they were one of the better teams in the American League. They had beaten Babe Ruth and the hated New York Yankees by two games and were league ... Read More »
Ghosts of DC The lost and untold history of Washington