RIP Frank Howard

[micropolitan guy]

Howard has the distinction of hitting the last homer in Senators history ... and the first homer in Rangers history.

Last homer in Senators II history. Bob Allison hit the last homer for the original Senators, at Griffith Stadium off Whitey Ford in game 159 of 1960. Coincidentally, Allison hit the first homer for the Minnesota Twins on opening day 1961 at Yankee Stadium, also off Ford. Also coincidentally, Pedro Ramos lost the last game of the original Senators but won the first game for the Twins.

I always thought the expansion Senators should have taken a new nickname, for a completely fresh start from the failed Griffith era.

 

[hondo]

Last homer in Senators II history. Bob Allison hit the last homer for the original Senators, at Griffith Stadium off Whitey Ford in game 159 of 1960. Coincidentally, Allison hit the first homer for the Minnesota Twins on opening day 1961 at Yankee Stadium, also off Ford. Also coincidentally, Pedro Ramos lost the last game of the original Senators but won the first game for the Twins.

I always thought the expansion Senators should have taken a new nickname, for a completely fresh start from the failed Griffith era.

The Senators team that moved to Minnesota had Allison, Killebrew and Jim Lemon in the middle of the lineup (Lemon had 38-100 in 1960), a good catcher in Earl Battey, Jim Kaat and Camilo Pascual as a decent 1-2 starting combination and a couple of good relievers, Ted Abernathy and Ray Moore. Zolio Versailles was a young kid but wound up being a good starting shortstop. The nucleus of that team won the AL pennant in 1965 and lost to the Dodgers in seven games in the Series after beating Drysdale and Koufax in the first two games.

 

[micropolitan guy]

The Senators team that moved to Minnesota had Allison, Killebrew and Jim Lemon in the middle of the lineup (Lemon had 38-100 in 1960), a good catcher in Earl Battey, Jim Kaat and Camilo Pascual as a decent 1-2 starting combination and a couple of good relievers, Ted Abernathy and Ray Moore. Zolio Versailles was a young kid but wound up being a good starting shortstop. The nucleus of that team won the AL pennant in 1965 and lost to the Dodgers in seven games in the Series after beating Drysdale and Koufax in the first two games.

Yes. Clearly Griffith wanted out of DC and the Twins were very popular but it would have been interesting to see how a competitive team of the original Senators would have drawn at new DC Stadium throughout the 1960s, when they won the AL (65) and contended in 1967-69. The expansion Senators played their first year at Griffith, IIRC.

Both Senators I and Senators II were victims of bad ownership. Griffith could find and develop talent but was cheap. Short was just a jerk who was cheap and gouged the fans with high ticket and concession prices.

 

[misterbc]

Yes. Clearly Griffith wanted out of DC and the Twins were very popular but it would have been interesting to see how a competitive team of the original Senators would have drawn at new DC Stadium throughout the 1960s, when they won the AL (65) and contended in 1967-69. The expansion Senators played their first year at Griffith, IIRC.

Both Senators I and Senators II were victims of bad ownership. Griffith could find and develop talent but was cheap. Short was just a jerk who was cheap and gouged the fans with high ticket and concession prices.

I think it was a breath of fresh air for the players to be out of DC and into a more vibrant Minneapolis scene. Also it helped that Olivia, Mincher, Rollins etc. started hammering opposing pitching constantly. They contended almost every year with Chance, Tiant, Kaat, Pacual, Kralic, etc. but somehow lost far more games than they should. I’m guessing bad defence or the tendency to strike out or hit into into DPs in crucial situations, which sluggers tend to do.
The 60s Twins were my all time favourite sports team but following them was tough when you just got the briefest of old time baseball stats in the paper in Red Deer, (The Advocate, which I delivered for 3 years) and Calgary (Herald), Alberta.

 

[wicked]

The Senators team that moved to Minnesota had Allison, Killebrew and Jim Lemon in the middle of the lineup (Lemon had 38-100 in 1960), a good catcher in Earl Battey, Jim Kaat and Camilo Pascual as a decent 1-2 starting combination and a couple of good relievers, Ted Abernathy and Ray Moore. Zolio Versailles was a young kid but wound up being a good starting shortstop. The nucleus of that team won the AL pennant in 1965 and lost to the Dodgers in seven games in the Series after beating Drysdale and Koufax in the first two games.

The Braves were in a similar spot when they left Boston. Aaron was probably going to be on the big-league roster out of camp if they didn’t move in spring training. Four years later they won the World Series.

 

[misterbc]

Also, the 1960s Twins were up against the Orioles, Tigers and Red Sox all of whom had great rosters as well. Some seriously talented teams.