Washington DC Baseball

[ValKehl]

As George mentioned in the above post, Allan (you will also see his first name spelled "Alan" and "Allen") Russell led MLB in saves for 1923. His total was 9 saves! I assume some of today's closers have recorded 9 saves in one month. Oh, BTW, Russell also led MLB in saves for 1919 with 5! Russell's total saves for his entire career is 42. I find it strange that Willard's Chocolate would picture Russell in a batting pose - his career batting average is .157!

[GeoPoto]

Player #109: Ernest R. "Mule" Shirley. First baseman with the Washington Senators in 1924-1925. 21 hits in 2 MLB seasons. World Series champion in 1924.

Mule Shirley had exactly 100 at-bats in regular season play in the major leagues. He came up at the right time, playing as a rookie for the winners of the 1924 World Series, the 1924 Washington Senators managed by Bucky Harris.

In Game 1 of the 1924 World Series, he came in as a pinch-hitter in the 12th inning for Walter Johnson, reached on an error, and scored a run. In the third game, he came in in the 8th inning as a pinch-hitter for Joe Martina and hit a single. He also came in as a pinch-runner in the last game of the Series.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1678356418

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

Player #109: Ernest R. "Mule" Shirley. First baseman with the Washington Senators in 1924-1925. 21 hits in 2 MLB seasons. World Series champion in 1924.

Mule Shirley had exactly 100 at-bats in regular season play in the major leagues. He came up at the right time, playing as a rookie for the winners of the 1924 World Series, the 1924 Washington Senators managed by Bucky Harris.

In Game 1 of the 1924 World Series, he came in as a pinch-hitter in the 12th inning for Walter Johnson, reached on an error, and scored a run. In the third game, he came in in the 8th inning as a pinch-hitter for Joe Martina and hit a single. He also came in as a pinch-runner in the last game of the Series.

BTW, "Mule" Shirley's 8th inning single in Game 3 of the 1924 WS knocked in a run, which would have been a crucial run if the Senators hadn't given up 3 unearned runs earlier in the game, a 6 - 4 loss to the NY Giants. So, with a 1924 (and career) WS batting average of .500 (1 hit in 2 ABs), Shirley had an achievement to boast about to his grandkids!

I believe this 1925 card is the only baseball card of Shirley that was issued during his brief career:

[GeoPoto]

Great card Val -- I wonder how many cards use the position description "utility man"?

Player #110: Thomas L. "Tommy" Taylor. Third baseman for the Washington Senators in 1924. 19 hits in 77 plate appearances during the 1924 season, his only year in MLB. 1924 World Series champion.

Taylor played for the Washington Senators in 1924, primarily as a third baseman. He played in 26 games in his one-year career. He had a .260 batting average, with 19 hits in 73 at-bats. He batted and threw right-handed.

Taylor was a member of the 1924 World Series championship team.

We will now enjoy a brief pause. Expected date for next post: 13 March.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1678442713

[ValKehl]

Clark Griffith acquired Tommy Taylor in June 1924 via a trade with Memphis, and in December 1924, Taylor was traded back to Memphis. He appeared in 3 games of the 1924 WS, and struck out in both of his at bats. Taylor did accumulate almost 1,700 hits over his 16-year minor league career, which concluded in 1935 with Greenville of the East Dixie League at age 42. As far as I have been able to determine, no cards of Taylor were issued during his playing career.

[GeoPoto]

First in War, first in Peace, and now first in the American League, the Senators were honored with a victory parade when they got back to the capital -- open cars, police escort up Pennsylvania Avenue . . . the whole nine yards. The end of the line was the White House, where the ballclub was welcomed by President Calvin Coolidge, who promised to be on hand for the first game of the World Series at Griffith Stadium between the Senators and the New York Giants. The truth is that President Coolidge had absolutely no affinity with baseball -- he found the game a bore. Mrs. Coolidge, however, was a great fan of the game and just loved the Senators.

Three days later, on October 4, 1924, "Silent Cal" and his wife became the first President and First Lady to attend a Series opener. Secretary of State Charles Hughes, as well as the Secretary of War and the Speaker of the House were also in place in the presidential box. The United States Army Band entertained during the pregame ceremonies, and a military guard paid homage to the colors. Political and military bigwigs of all stripes had shown up for the occasion. To top things off, Walter Johnson and Roger Peckinpaugh were awarded shiny new automobiles.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1678698488

[ValKehl]

George, I wonder how Bucky Harris felt about not also being awarded a shiny new automobile. Not only did the first-year player-manager lead the Senators to their first-ever pennant, but he and Peckinpaugh comprised one of the best, if not the best, Keystone Combos in the American League.

Has anyone ever seen another one of these?