Expansion Senators Trivia

[Aa3rt]

1. Name the five men who managed the expansion Senators.

2. Extra credit-the Senators expansion "tag-team partner", the Los Angeles/California Angels only had two managers from 1961-1971. Who were they?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Senators: wasn't it 4 Aa3rt?
Mickey Vernon 1961-1963 (partial)
Gil Hodges 1963(partial)- 1967
Jim Lemon 1968
Ted Williams 1969-1971

Angels:
Bill Rigney 1961-1969 (partial)
Lefty Phillips 1969(partial)-1971

[JohnGelnarFan]

Who got the first hit in expansion Senators history?

[Aa3rt]

Senators: wasn't it 4 Aa3rt?

Nope, it was five.

HINT-his name is listed on the first page of the "Capitol Letters" game in the Washington Nationals forum-and he had a perfect record!

PS-you're batting 6 for 7 thus far!

[JohnGelnarFan]

Eddie Yost! Tricky one Aa3rt! ;)

[Aa3rt]

Eddie Yost! Tricky one Aa3rt! ;)

Very good!:dance

40 games into the 1963 season, with a 14-26 record, Mickey Vernon was fired. Eddie Yost was named interim manager, and the team went 0-1 under his guidance before Gil Hodges took over. The Senators would go 42-79 under Gil for a combined record of 56-106. While not as bad as the 1962 New York Mets (40-120), that 1963 team had to be one of the worst ever assembled.

0-1: Perfection! ;)

[Aa3rt]

Who got the first hit in expansion Senators history?

Orville Inman (Coot) Veal, shortstop for the 1961 Senators.

FUN FACTS:

Coot's 74th birthday was yesterday, July 9th.

Coot stole 1 base for the 61 Senators while being caught stealing 8 times, giving him a stolen base percentage for the year of .111. :ughh

Career record here: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=vealco01

[JohnGelnarFan]

Boy,Orville sure had an undistinguished career but he was a major leaguer!

Who was the first expansion Senator to hit 3 homers in a game?

[soberdennis]

I would have to research that. But I wanted to throw this one out.
How did Senator owner Bob Short try unsuccessfully to return to Washington in 1978?

[Aa3rt]

How did Senator owner Bob Short try unsuccessfully to Washington in 1978?

Soberdennis-I believe you've left a word or two out of this question-try unsuccessfully to what?

[soberdennis]

I would have to research that. But I wanted to throw this one out.
How did Senator owner Bob Short try unsuccessfully to return to Washington in 1978?
I'm sorry. I did misprint the question without a couple of words. I edited the post and reprinted it above.

[Yankwood]

Orville Inman (Coot) Veal, shortstop for the 1961 Senators.

FUN FACTS:

Coot's 74th birthday was yesterday, July 9th.

Coot stole 1 base for the 61 Senators while being caught stealing 8 times, giving him a stolen base percentage for the year of .111. :ughh

Career record here: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=vealco01How ironic! It was probably that same year I had the same exact success rate stealing from Art Moyer's corner store.:grouchy :D :o

[JohnGelnarFan]

Does his son pitch for the Marriners? I assume that this was before you became a third baseman? (Wheeze!) ;)


How ironic! It was probably that same year I had the same exact success rate stealing from Art Moyer's corner store.:grouchy :D :o

[JohnGelnarFan]

This is something I know nothing about. I can't believe he'd even try to come back in any baseball related capacity! This might be a trick question. A Senate seat? It was mentioned by another of us in the Baseball Bill post that he ran unsuccessfully in Minnesota(I think)




I'm sorry. I did misprint the question without a couple of words. I edited the post and reprinted it above.

[Aa3rt]

I would have to research that. But I wanted to throw this one out.
How did Senator owner Bob Short try unsuccessfully to return to Washington in 1978?

Bob Short ran for election as a Minnesota Senator after absconding with the Washington Senators after the 1971 season.

He lost. :D

[JohnGelnarFan]

Great Senators minds think alike! :p


Bob Short ran for election as a Minnesota Senator after absconding with the Washington Senators after the 1971 season.

He lost. :D

[soberdennis]

That is correct. He ran for either Humphrey's or Mondale's seat, both were open. He lost. I always wondered how he would've been greeted in DC if he had won.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I think he would have had to wear a Fake moustache and glasses,SD :cool:



That is correct. He ran for either Humphrey's or Mondale's seat, both were open. He lost. I always wondered how he would've been greeted in DC if he had won.

[Aa3rt]

Who was the first expansion Senator to hit 3 homers in a game?

Don Leppert, who hit 3 of his 6 home runs in 1963 on April 11th in an 8-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. He only had a grand total of 9 homers in his two years (1963/64) with the Senators.

Career record here:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=leppedo02

Includes a reproduction of Don's 1963 Topps Washington Senators baseball card.

BTW-there was another player named Don Leppert who played 35 games at 2nd base for the 1955 Orioles.

[Aa3rt]

Who hit the LAST grand-slam home run in Washington Senators history?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Don Leppert is correct Art!

The last grand slam was hit by Don Mincher as a pinch hitter against the Yankees.

Here's a tough one(I think)
The Senators turned 2 triple plays in 1968 and the same pitcher was on the mound in both instances. Who was he?



Don Leppert, who hit 3 of his 6 home runs in 1963 on April 11th in an 8-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. He only had a grand total of 9 homers in his two years (1963/64) with the Senators.

Career record here:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=leppedo02

Includes a reproduction of Don's 1963 Topps Washington Senators baseball card.

BTW-there was another player named Don Leppert who played 35 games at 2nd base for the 1955 Orioles.

[Aa3rt]

The last grand slam was hit by Don Mincher as a pinch hitter against the Yankees.

Correct again! The four run blast came in a 6-5 win on August 31st in New York.

[Aa3rt]

Here's a tough one(I think)
The Senators turned 2 triple plays in 1968 and the same pitcher was on the mound in both instances. Who was he?

The pitcher was Bruce Howard, the second of the triple plays was an unassisted TP made by Ron Hansen. The Senators rewarded Ron by trading him to the Chicago White Sox four days later. Hansen had been traded FROM the White Sox to the Senators in the off season.

The hard part for me was remembering Bruce Howard. He's a player who spent time with both the Senators and Orioles. He went 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA in his one season with the Senators. He spent 1963-1967 with the Chicago White Sox and 1968 with the Orioles and Senators. He was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons on April 1, 1969.

Career record here:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=howarbr01

[Iron Jaw]

What pitcher was the expansion Senators first 20 game winner?

19 game winner?

18 game winner?

17 game winner?

What pitcher holds the expansion Senator's record for most wins in a season?

Most losses in a season?

[soberdennis]

As the Senators, the expansion team never had a 20 game winner. So their first was Ferguson Jenkins in Texas in 1974.
The team record for losses belongs to former 30 game winner Denny McLain with 22 in their last year in Washington. He was the only Expansion Senator to lead the league in losses, 3 years after he had electrified the world with a 30 win season. How the mighty had fallen.

[soberdennis]

The expansion Senators record for wins in a season is 16 by Dick Bosman in 1970. So the answer to the other questions is somebody in Texas.

[soberdennis]

In fact the last Washington pitcher to win 20 was Bob Porterfield who won 22 in 1953 to lead the league.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Bruce Howard is correct Art. You're good at this!

What Expansion pitcher hit the most career homers while playing for the Nats?




The pitcher was Bruce Howard, the second of the triple plays was an unassisted TP made by Ron Hansen. The Senators rewarded Ron by trading him to the Chicago White Sox four days later. Hansen had been traded FROM the White Sox to the Senators in the off season.

The hard part for me was remembering Bruce Howard. He's a player who spent time with both the Senators and Orioles. He went 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA in his one season with the Senators. He spent 1963-1967 with the Chicago White Sox and 1968 with the Orioles and Senators. He was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons on April 1, 1969.

Career record here:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=howarbr01

[TallIndian]

Bruce Howard is correct Art. You're good at this!

What Expansion pitcher hit the most career homers while playing for the Nats?


I recall Frank Bertaina hitting a three-run homer against Cleveland. Alvin Dark ripped out the phone to the bullpen.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Good Guess but Bennie Daniels hit 4 from 1961-65 to lead all expansion Nats pitchers. That was the only one Bertaina hit!

[TallIndian]

1) Which expansion Senator had the longest relief appearance in a nine-inning game (I believe that this also the major league record but am not sure)?

2) Which expansion Senator was also a legendary doo-wop/early rock'n'roll singer?

3) Which expansion Senator later went on to win 2 Super Bowl rings?

[Aa3rt]

3) Which expansion Senator later went on to win 2 Super Bowl rings?

Tom Brown, 1963 opening day first baseman for the Senators went on to play for the Green Bay Packers from 1964-1968. A wise career move for Tommy-he hit just .147 (17 for 116 with 1 home run) in his only year in the major leagues.

Career record here:Tom Brown, 1963 Senators (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=brownto03)

[JohnGelnarFan]

2) Which expansion Senator was also a legendary doo-wop/early rock'n'roll singer?


The singer was outfielder,Lee Maye








1) Which expansion Senator had the longest relief appearance in a nine-inning game (I believe that this also the major league record but am not sure)?


3) Which expansion Senator later went on to win 2 Super Bowl rings?

[TallIndian]

You guys are both very good.

I recall that Tom Brown and his Packer teammate Willie Wood were introduced during a game at RFK.

Lee Maye passed away a couple of years ago. The radio announcers (Ron Menchine?) would often mention that Lee was a singer -- but they always mistakenly said that he was with the Platters. Neither the Post nor the Evening Star ever mentioned Lee's other career -- though he did perform a few times in the DC area.

BTW, the longest relief appearance was by Casey Cox (8 2/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians in April 1969). I've never been able to find a longer relief effort in an nine-inning game.

[JohnGelnarFan]

You can find Lee Maye clips,singing online. Another member sent them to me once. When he was here,I didn't know he had a pretty successful career as a singer. He was very cool though! He was a flashy dresser and nice about signing autographs.

Casey Cox! 1969 was his best year,going 12-7 with a 2.78 ERA. He came to our school to give a talk and passed out autographed pictures. I have a framed 8" x 10" of him on my living room wall! Good Questions TI!! :clapping

Here's one:

Denny McLain holds the expansion Senators record for losses in a season with 22 in 1971. Who had the second most looses in a single season? Hint: The name is closer than you think.

[TallIndian]

Joe Coleman lost 16 one year (and who can forget Darold Knolwes going 2-14!)

[Aa3rt]

Joe Coleman lost 16 one year (and who can forget Darold Knolwes going 2-14!)

Joe Coleman went 12-16 for the 1968 team, Dick Bosman had an identical 12-16 record in 1971.

[Aa3rt]

BTW, the longest relief appearance was by Casey Cox (8 2/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians in April 1969). I've never been able to find a longer relief effort in an nine-inning game.

I know you are referring to Senators relief pitching and Casey Cox is the correct answer as far as I can determine, especially as it falls under "Expansion Senators Trivia".

However, thought you'd enjoy this little vignette-

How about the infamous "perfect game" thrown by Boston Red Sox pitcher Ernie Shore in 1917? That was the game where Babe Ruth was the starting pitcher, walked the first batter and then was thrown out of the game for arguing balls and strikes. Ernie Shore came on, the base runner (Ray Morgan) was thrown out attempting to steal second and Shore retired the next 26 batters without giving up a hit or a walk.

The victims of this pitching performance? You guessed it! The Washington Senators! :ughh

Read about it here: Ernie Shore's Near-Perfect Game (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/features/flashbacks/06_23_1917.stm)

[JohnGelnarFan]

The 16 losses for Coleman and Bosman isn't quite enough guys! Try again and look at the name of the guy that lost 22 in 1971!

[TallIndian]

I needed your hint -- Joe McLain with 18 losses in 1961.

[TallIndian]

Aa3rt

Thanks for the Ernie Shore story. I hadn't heard that one before. Casey Cox did nothing that dramatic. He came in the bottom of the first (in relief of Barry Moore) with the bases loaded and one out. He got someone to hit into 1-2-3 double play.

[JohnGelnarFan]

That's him TI! He was 8-19 with a decent 3.86 ERA. He did spell his name a bit differently than Denny did. It was McClain.


I needed your hint -- Joe McLain with 18 losses in 1961.

[TallIndian]

Which expansion Senator went on to win a Cy Young award (obviously he didn't win it when he was with the Nats!)

[Aa3rt]

The 16 losses for Coleman and Bosman isn't quite enough guys! Try again and look at the name of the guy that lost 22 in 1971!

To quote Homer Simpson-"D'oh!!!" (That sound you just heard was me slapping my forehead in disgust. :crazy ) Great clue, JGF! So obvious I COMPLETELY overlooked it!

I believe the Cy Young Award winner Tall Indian is looking for is Mike McCormack who won the award in 1967 while pitching for the San Francisco Giants.
McCormack had been traded the previous season for Cap Peterson and Bob Priddy. (Priddy went 3-7 for the 1967 Senators before being traded to the Chicago White Sox, Peterson, an outfielder, played in 1967 and 1968, hitting .240 and .204 before being traded to Cleveland just prior to the start of the 1969 season.)

Denny Mc Lain had won the Cy Young in 1968 and also was a co-winner (with Mike Ceullar) in 1969.

Early Wynn, who played with the original Senators franchise, won the award in 1959 while pitching for the White Sox.

[JohnGelnarFan]

And Walter Johnson would have won about 5(at least) if there had been a Cy Young Award! :lookitup

[Aa3rt]

And Walter Johnson would have won about 5 (at least) if there had been a Cy Young Award!

I wholeheartedly agree! Unfortunately the Cy Young Award didn't come into existence until 1956. (Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers was the first winner.)

Next question: Who scored the last run for the Senators?

[TallIndian]

Mike McCromick not only won the Cy Young in 1967, he is still the only SF Giant to have won that award.

I believe that it was Rags, Tom Ragland who scored the last run for the Nats.

[Aa3rt]

I believe that it was Rags, Tom Ragland who scored the last run for the Nats.

That's correct! You're pretty good at this yourself.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I believe that was the forgettable Tom Ragland.



Next question: Who scored the last run for the Senators?[/QUOTE]

[JohnGelnarFan]

Here are some interesting statistics for the 1961 Senators.

Before and after the All-Star Game:

BEFORE: BATTERS
Dale Long - 12 HR,36 RBI's,.271 B.Ave.
Willie Tasby- 16 HR,47 RBI's,.289
Gene Green - 11 HR,33 RBI's,.306
Marty Keough- 7 HR,21 RBI's,.265
Gene Woodling- 8 HR,40 RBI's,.299
Harry Bright - 2 HR,14 RBI's,.254
Billy Klaus - 6 HR,23 RBI's,.237

AFTER:
Dale Long - 5 HR,13 RBI's,.198 B.Ave.
Willie Tasby - 1 HR,16 RBI's,.200
Gene Green - 7 HR,29 RBI's,.253
Marty Keough- 2 HR,13 RBI's,.231
Gene Woodling-2 HR,17 RBI's,.329
Harry Bright - 2 HR,7 RBI's,.215
Billy Klaus - 1 HR,7 RBI's,.221


BEFORE: PITCHERS
Dick Donovan - 4 Wins,8 Losses, 2.80 ERA
Joe McClain - 7 Wins,7 Losses, 3.19 ERA
Bennie Daniels - 4 Wins,5 Losses, 3.12 ERA
Dave Sisler - 1 Win,3 Losses, 2.82 ERA
John Gabler - 3 Wins,2 Losses, 4.50 ERA
Ed Hobaugh - 6 Wins,3 Losses, 4.12 ERA
Marty Kutyna - 5 Wins,1 Loss, 3.63 ERA
Pete Burnside - 1 Win,5 Losses 6.41 ERA


AFTER:
Dick Donovan - 6 Wins,2 Losses, 1.91 ERA (Won league ERA title)
Joe McClain - 1 Win,11 Losses, 4.76 ERA
Bennie Daniels - 8 Wins,6 Losses, 3.63 ERA
Dave Sisler - 1 Win,5 Losses, 5.73 ERA
John Gabler - 0 Wins,6 Losses, 5.32 ERA
Ed Hobaugh - 1 Win,6 Losses, 4.98 ERA
Marty Kutyna - 1 Win,7 Losses, 4.19 ERA
Pete Burnside - 3 Wins,4 Losses, 3.22 ERA

[Aa3rt]

Great comparison JGF-talk about falling apart like an '84 Yugo...:(

Next question: Who got credit for the RBI scoring Tom Ragland?

[TallIndian]

I think Tom McCraw got the last RBI for the expansion Nats.

[Aa3rt]

I think Tom McCraw got the last RBI for the expansion Nats.

Correct again! You guys are too good-someone else can come up with the next question!

[JohnGelnarFan]

[QUOTE=Aa3rt]Great comparison JGF-talk about falling apart like an '84 Yugo...:(

Especially Joe McClain,Dale long and Willie Tasby!


I thought I had put up another question. I must have forgotten to hit Submit! Here it is again:

Frank Howard was the tallest Expansion Senator at 6'7". Who was the shortest at 5'8" tall?(There are two players.Either will do)

BONUS QUESTION:

Who was the SECOND tallest Senator at 6'6"?

[Aa3rt]

Frank Howard was the tallest Expansion Senator at 6'7". Who was the shortest at 5'8" tall?(There are two players.Either will do)

One of my favorites from the slow-footed, second-string catcher department, Jim French !

Jim French Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=frencji01)

BONUS QUESTION:

Who was the SECOND tallest Senator at 6'6"?

Steve Hamilton Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hamilst01)

Steve Hamilton. Steve was called "The Professor" IIRC. He was from Kentucky and had attended Morehead State. (Possibly he taught there in the off-season as well?) After a short stint with the Senators, Steve spent a number of years with the New York Yankees.

Remember in the old days, before cable and satellite television, when you essentially had three networks to choose from?

One of the big deals for me as a kid was watching the "Saturday Game Of The Week". Steve was pitching for the Yankees (This must have been in the mid-1960's.) and if you remember Steve Hamilton, you'll remember that he always had a huge wad of tobacco in his cheek. Anyhow, Steve was on the mound, the opposing batter hit a line shot back at him and Steve reacted by swallowing his tobacco, which he immediately regurgitated on the back of the mound-on national television! Talk about pure tobacco pleasure! :laugh

[JohnGelnarFan]

Very good Aa3rt! Both are right. The other 5'8" Senator was John Schaive,who played in 1962-63'

Here's another:

Frank Howard at 275 pounds(Questionable!)was the heaviest player to play for the Expansion Senators. Who was the lightest at 146 pounds?

Hint:
He won some major awards in the major leagues

[Yankwood]

Does Albie Pearson count?

[Aa3rt]

Not an expansion Senator, but the "Pride of Flood City", Johnstown, Pennsylvania's Ernie Oravetz (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=oraveer01), who played with the original Senators in 1955 & 1956, was officially listed at 5' 4" and 145 pounds.

The only Senator I'm aware of that's shorter than that is Maryland's Barbara Mikulski. :rolleyes:

[JohnGelnarFan]

Here's a hint:

He was a league MVP

[Aa3rt]

Okay, I'll get serious-how about Zolio Versalles? Zolio was both an original and expansion Senator. He won Gold Gloves in 1963 and 1965, was an All-Star in those same years and also won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1965.

Zolio Versalles Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=versazo01)



Next question: What was the expansion Senators longest winning streak? (Number of games and year will do.)

[JohnGelnarFan]

Zoilo Versalles is correct! He was the American League MVP in 1965 with the Twins. His career slid steadily downhill afterwards. He was an original and an expansion Senator.



The Nats longest winning streak was 8 games in 1967.


Frank Howard hit 237 homeruns as an expansion Senator. Who hit the second most?

[Yankwood]

How about Don Lock?

[Aa3rt]

Yankwood-I believe you are correct. Don Lock had 99 homers, playing for the Senators from 1962-1966. The third place finisher was Jim King with 89. We'll have to wait for JGF for confirmation.

Next question: What was the Senators longest losing streak. Once again, year and number of games are sufficient.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Don Lock is correct!

The longest losing streak was 14 games in 1961.


Frank Howard led the league in homeruns,total bases and slugging Pct. in 1968. He led the league in total bases in 1969. He led the league in Homeruns,RBI's and walks in 1970.

The Senators only had two other players lead the league in an offensive category. Who were they and what did they lead the league in? One out of two will do! (One is tough)

[Aa3rt]

The longest losing streak was 14 games in 1961.

That's correct, however I should note that losing 14 games in a row was duplicated by the 1970 squad. :ughh

[JohnGelnarFan]

Whoops! Thanks for the correction Aa3rt!

[Aa3rt]

The Senators only had two other players lead the league in an offensive category. Who were they and what did they lead the league in? One out of two will do! (One is tough)

Del Unser led the league in triples (8) in 1969. I guess that was the easy one!

[JohnGelnarFan]

That's it Aa3rt. No one will get the other one except you(possibly). I'll give you a little time on this one!

[Aa3rt]

No one will get the other one except you(possibly).

I'm really grasping at straws here and could probably use a hint. However, the only thing I could come up with was that in 1971, Mike Epstein (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=epstemi01) led the league in being hit by pitches (HBP). However, Mike was traded away early in the season, playing only 24 games for Washington (HBP 4 times) finishing with 104 games played for Oakland (HBP 8) for a grand total of 12 times HBP. :confused:

[JohnGelnarFan]

Think of these players:

Manny Mota
Smokey Burgess
Terry Crowley
Jose Morales
Dave Hansen

I hope that helps!

[Aa3rt]

I believe the topic is "Pinch Hits" and I think the answer is Del Unser, but as to the year and how many, I have no clue.

But, I've been wrong before. ;)

[JohnGelnarFan]

Right category Aa3rt. Del was 54 for 264 in his career as a pinch hitter. He set the major league record with 3 homeruns in consecutive pinch hit appearances with the Phillies. In 4 years as a Senator,he was 6 for 35 with a high of 21 pinch appearances in 1970.

The other league leader was Jim Hicks who came to the plate 61 times as a pinch hitter in 1962. He had 9 hits.

Good try! :clapping

[soberdennis]

One of my favorites from the slow-footed, second-string catcher department, Jim French !

Jim French Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=frencji01)



Steve Hamilton Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hamilst01)

Steve Hamilton. Steve was called "The Professor" IIRC. He was from Kentucky and had attended Morehead State. (Possibly he taught there in the off-season as well?) After a short stint with the Senators, Steve spent a number of years with the New York Yankees.

Remember in the old days, before cable and satellite television, when you essentially had three networks to choose from?

One of the big deals for me as a kid was watching the "Saturday Game Of The Week". Steve was pitching for the Yankees (This must have been in the mid-1960's.) and if you remember Steve Hamilton, you'll remember that he always had a huge wad of tobacco in his cheek. Anyhow, Steve was on the mound, the opposing batter hit a line shot back at him and Steve reacted by swallowing his tobacco, which he immediately regurgitated on the back of the mound-on national television! Talk about pure tobacco pleasure! :laugh
I remember Hamilton well with the Yanks. He was part of a bullpen by committee in 1970 that helped the Yanks win 90 and finish 2nd. The others were Lindy McDaniel and Jack Aker. Then along came a guy named Sparky.
Hamilton also was known for a pitch similar to Rip Sewell's Ephus pitch. He called his the "Folly Floater."

[Aa3rt]

What "distinction" is shared by expansion Senators George Brunet and Ron Kline?

PS-Happy Birthday Don Wert. After playing for a number of years for the Detroit Tigers with some success, Don came to Washington in that awful Denny McLain trade.

Don only ever appeared in 20 games for the Senators, hitting 2 for 40. (.050 BA :ughh ) I should note that Don had suffered from some back problems, being placed on the DL just before the start of the 1971 season. He was reactivated in late April.

Don was sent down to Denver on June 15th, 1971, refused the assignment, and was released by the Senators on June 18th, never appearing in a major league uniform again.

Don Wert Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=wertdo01)

[JohnGelnarFan]

Each led the league in losses twice? Both were also horrible hitters with career batting averages under .100!
Kline was a great relief pitcher for the expansion Nats. Most of us might think of Darold Knowles as the best but Kline saved 83 games in four years,leading the league with 29 in 1965. Knowles saved 60 in 5 years and had the better ERA,2.36 to 2.54.


[QUOTE=Aa3rt]What "distinction" is shared by expansion Senators George Brunet and Ron Kline?

[Aa3rt]

Each led the league in losses twice? Both were also horrible hitters with career batting averages under .100!

Actually, what I was looking for is that each played for 9 different franchises. (Kline played with the Pirates on two seperate stints.) I don't know about leading the league in losses. Ron Kline did lead the league in saves with 29 in 1965.

Ron Kline Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=klinero01)

George Brunet Career Record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=brunege01)

Someone else can do the honors of submitting the next question.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I should have noticed that Aa3rt. George Brunet led the american league in losses in successive years as a member of the California Angels. He was 11-19 with a 3.31 ERA in 1967 and 13-17 witha 2.86 ERA in 1968.

Ron Kline was 14-18 with a 3.38 ERA in 1956 and 13-16 witha 3.53 ERA in 1958,both years with the Pirates.


[QUOTE=Aa3rt]Actually, what I was looking for is that each played for 9 different franchises. (Kline played with the Pirates on two seperate stints.) I don't know about leading the league in losses. Ron Kline did lead the league in saves with 29 in 1965.

[JohnGelnarFan]

The expansion record for pitching appearances is 267. Who was this pitcher?

[Yankwood]

The expansion record for pitching appearances is 267. Who was this pitcher?Casey Cox. Bosman was my personal favorite but Cox was equally as big.

[JohnGelnarFan]

You got it Terry. Casey Cox was a popular player in Washington and had a few good years. What a great baseball name!

[Steve Jeltz]

Warning! Old thread being bought back to life.

This player only appeared in 2 games in his major league career. The first game was with the original Senators. His second with the expansion Senators. Who is he?

[Aa3rt]

I held off answering in the event someone else wanted to take a crack at this, but since there have been no responses thus far...

The answer is Hector Maestri who appeared in a grand total of 2 games (8.0 IP) in 1960 & 1961.

Hector Maestri career record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=maesthe01)

Next question: Two other players have the distinction of having only played for both versions of the Senators. Who were they?

[Steve Jeltz]

Aa3rt, that question was like a fastball straight down the middle for you.;) Hector Maestri is correct! 2 games lifetime, 0-1, 1.13 career ERA.

The two players who only played for both versions are P Rudy Hernandez and IF Johnny Schaive.

Here is an unusual trivia question. Name the first expansion Senator to be caught stealing?

[Aa3rt]

The two players who only played for both versions are P Rudy Hernandez and IF Johnny Schaive.

Very good, you're batting 1.000!

Here is an unusual trivia question. Name the first expansion Senator to be caught stealing?

No answer yet? Actually I don't know this one but will guess Willie Tasby, who was caught stealing 10 times in the 1961 season.

[Steve Jeltz]

No answer yet? Actually I don't know this one but will guess Willie Tasby, who was caught stealing 10 times in the 1961 season.

You guessed right. Willie Tasby was the first expansion Senator to be caught stealing. Tasby stole 4 bases and was caught 10 times in 1961, a 40% success ratio. The former Oriole had his best season in 1961 with a .251 avg., 17 HR and 63 runs batted in.

Willie Tasby's career stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tasbywi01.shtml

This next one is pretty good. 3 pitchers in major league history have had the unusual distinction of having hit more home runs than wins in a season. Two of those pitchers pitched for the expansion Senators. Name those two pitchers.

[Aa3rt]

Willie Tasby was the first expansion Senator to be caught stealing. Tasby stole 4 bases and was caught 10 times in 1961, a 40% success ratio.

Willie's 40% success rate was still better than that of Coot Veal who also played for the 1961 Senators. Playing in 69 games for the Senators, Veal had 1 stolen base but was caught stealing 8 times for a .111 success rate. :eek:

[Steve Jeltz]

3 pitchers in major league history have had the unusual distinction of having hit more home runs than wins in a season. Two of those pitchers pitched for the expansion Senators. Name those two pitchers.

No guess? I'll give a couple hints. One of the pitchers accomplished this feat while playing for the Orioles. The other one was an original Senator selected from the White Sox in the expansion draft.

[TallIndian]

Was one of the pitchers Frank Bertaina? I remember him hitting a three-run homer of the Tribe (and Alvin Dark ripped the dugout phone from the wall). Not sure if Bertaina had any wins that year.

[Steve Jeltz]

Was one of the pitchers Frank Bertaina? I remember him hitting a three-run homer of the Tribe (and Alvin Dark ripped the dugout phone from the wall). Not sure if Bertaina had any wins that year.

Close, but no cigar. Bertaina hit 1 homer in 1969, but also had 1 win. The home run that you referred to occured on April 27, 1969 when Bertaina connected off Cleveland's Stan Williams.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE196904270.shtml

I give some more hints. The first pitcher was originally signed by the White Sox from Michigan State in 1956. The Sens plucked him from Chicago in the expansion draft. He would pitched a little over 2 years with Washington before being sent back to the minors in 1963, never to reach the majors again. He accomplished this "feat" on Sept. 2, 1963 at Cleveland.

The second pitcher was acquired from Baltimore for a player to be named. The player to be named? Lou Piniella. This pitcher performed his "feat" as an Oriole though.

[TallIndian]

Your hints led me to one of the answers: Buster Narum. For some reason, however, I seem to remember him as Lester Narum.


Also, thanks for the reference to the Bertaina home run. He supposedly was quite a colorful character. Ted Williams didn't like colorful characters -- especially when they didn't have a lot of control over their fastball.

[Aa3rt]

Your hints led me to one of the answers: Buster Narum. For some reason, however, I seem to remember him as Lester Narum.

Baseball-Almanac lists his legal name as "Leslie Ferdinand Narum" (http://baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=narumbu01)

[Steve Jeltz]

Leslie Ferdinand "Buster" Narum is correct. 0 wins and 1 home run in 1963 with Baltimore. One down! Who is the other pitcher? :cap:

[Aa3rt]

One down! Who is the other pitcher? :cap:

I've got to hand it to you Steve, this was a TOUGH question! Thanks to your hints, :lookitup I believe the other pitcher you're looking for is Ed Hobaugh who played for the Senators from 1961-1963. In 1963 he appeared in 9 games with a 0-0 W/L record, but hit his only career homer that year.

Ed Houbaugh career record (http://baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hobaued01)

PS-Who's the third pitcher alluded to in your question?

[Steve Jeltz]

I've got to hand it to you Steve, this was a TOUGH question! Thanks to your hints, :lookitup I believe the other pitcher you're looking for is Ed Hobaugh who played for the Senators from 1961-1963. In 1963 he appeared in 9 games with a 0-0 W/L record, but hit his only career homer that year.

Ed Houbaugh career record (http://baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hobaued01)

PS-Who's the third pitcher alluded to in your question?

Ed Hobaugh is the correct answer! On Sept. 2, 1963, Hobaugh hit a solo HR in the 4th inning of Cleveland's Jerry Walker.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE196309022.shtml

The third pitcher of this club is Dave Eiland, who had 0 wins and 1 HR with the 1992 Padres.

[Steve Jeltz]

Name the Nat's pitcher who holds the Major League record for giving up the most home runs in a month?

[TallIndian]

Just a guess -- Pedro Ramos. He reportedly replied to a question about his best pitch, "the gopher ball"

[Steve Jeltz]

Pedro Ramos it is. Ramos served up 17 gopher balls in June of 1957. Ramos would reappear briefly with the Sens in 1970 at the end of his career.

[TallIndian]

I posted this question in the main trivia section

Name a player who received an intentional walk with the bases empty?

[Steve Jeltz]

Frank Howard during his May,1968 tear?

[TallIndian]

I think it was more like 1970 -- when Hondo was the only offense the Nats had. It was in Cleveland and the manager was Alvin Dark.

The front page of the post, IIRC, had a photo that showed the look of disbelief on Howard's face as the catcher had his arm extended for an intentional pass.

[Steve Jeltz]

This one should be easy. Name the only player to have played with the expansion Sens and the NFL's Redskins.

[TallIndian]

Tom Brown (as they would say in court, asked and answered -- I believe a similiar question was posted here a few years back, by me!)

[Steve Jeltz]

Tom Brown it is. The question would have been better if it was, "Name the only player to have won a World Series with the Senators a Super Bowl with the Redskins?"

Next question. On Opening Day in 1968, Vice President Hubert Humphrey threw out the ceremonial first ball. The National Guard was at the stadium to protect the Vice President due to the extreme tensions existing in Washington and in the country at the time. (Since this a baseball forum, I will not go into the events that caused the general unrest.) One of the guardsmen protecting the Vice President that day was a Senator. Can you name him?

[Steve Jeltz]

I'll give a hint. He was a current member of the 1968 squad.

[TallIndian]

Eddie Brinkman?

[Steve Jeltz]

Eddie Brinkman?

Eddie Brinkman is correct!

[Aa3rt]

To follow up on this a little further, Brinkman asked if he could put on his baseball uniform and play in the game but the National Guard higher ups wouldn't allow that. Brinkman says that he positioned himself in the left field stands and agitated Frank Howard during the course of the game. :laugh

[Steve Jeltz]

Name the 2 pitchers who are tied for the lead in giving up the most balks in expansion Senator history.

[TallIndian]

Just guessing but Camilo Pascual and Dick Bosman.

[Steve Jeltz]

Just guessing but Camilo Pascual and Dick Bosman.

Good guess, but incorrect.

[Steve Jeltz]

Hint time: One of the pitchers was part of the Denny McClain trade. The other hurler pitched parts of 5 seasons with the Dodgers.

[Senators Fan 57]

Jim Hannan & Phil Ortega

[Steve Jeltz]

Senators Fan 57 is correct. Jim Hannan & Phil Ortega are tied atop the expansion Sens list with 7 balks.

[Steve Jeltz]

This expansion Senator holds the major league record for most strikeouts in a game with 21? Who is he?

[soberdennis]

This expansion Senator holds the major league record for most strikeouts in a game with 21? Who is he?
That's easy. Tom Cheney

[Steve Jeltz]

Tom Cheney it is. Cheney fanned 21 Orioles in a 16 inning game at Baltimore on Sept. 12, 1962. The Nats won 2-1.

[Steve Jeltz]

Name the player who collected the first Senator hit in RFK Stadium.

Bonus question. Name the player who commited the first Senator error in the new stadium.

[Senators Fan 57]

Chuck Cottier 1st hit & 1st error

[Steve Jeltz]

Chuck Cottier 1st hit & 1st error

Chuck Cottier is incorrect.

[Senators Fan 57]

Bennie Daniels - error
Jimmy Piersall - hit

[Steve Jeltz]

Your 1-for-2, Senators Fan 57. Jimmy Piersall did not get the first hit, but Bennie Daniels commited the first error.

The first Sen do get a hit shared the same name with a Philadelphia A's slugger from the 1930's and 40's. Ironically, that former A's slugger would play a season in Washington in 1943.

[Senators Fan 57]

Bob Johnson

[Steve Jeltz]

Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson is correct. He got a two-out single in the 2nd inning off Don Mossi of the Tigers.

[Steve Jeltz]

In 1958, this expansion Nat became the first left handed throwing catcher to play in a ML game since 1905. Who is he?

[Aa3rt]

Since no one has answered this yet, the answer is Dale Long, who caught 2 games for the 1958 Chicago Cubs.

Dale Long career record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=longda02)

[Steve Jeltz]

Dale Long is correct. Congratulations Aa3rt! You have won a rare, limited edition, 1963 Senators team autographed bat! This bat was used in all 162 games and is like new!

[TommieAgeefan]

You can find Lee Maye clips,singing online. Another member sent them to me once. When he was here,I didn't know he had a pretty successful career as a singer. He was very cool though! He was a flashy dresser and nice about signing autographs.



Sorry to respond to such an old post, but I actually met Lee Maye, after his playing career had ended. This was circa 1977, he was working as a salesman in a men's clothing store in downtown L. A. called Eagleson's. Of course there were 2 Lee May(e)s that played Major League baseball during the 70s, I knew he was Lee Maye with an e, b/c the other Lee May (w/out an e) was still active (playing 1B for Houston, IIRC), and I went to the store during baseball season, so I figured it wasn't him :D Sorry to hear of Lee Maye's passing :(