Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-26

employee of the War Department, and liv-
ing at 40S K street northwest. OF the $40
odd names which were received on the
morning Immediately after the proposition
was made to the fans by President Noyes,
the suggestion of Nationals" was found in
the thirty-second letter opened, and 1t was
a unique epistle from Mr.. McKenna. 1t
simply said:
Short and Sweet.
Call the club Nationals and send pass
to No. 50S X street northwest"
There is a confidence about the epistle
that smacks of military training and BODIES
well for the club, as Mr.. McKenna is an
old soldier and prominent in local Grand
Army circles. Other suggestions of Ma
tiOnals came in later quite numerOusly, but
as the first one was entitled to season
ticket to American League park this year,
those in the rear have only the satisfac-
ton of knowing that they WEIR in the chase
ard on the right track.
From the time that baseball was first in
troduced in this city the word Nationals
was always prominent on the breasts OF
players who were always to the fore in
hard-fought contests, and such teams were
known from one end of the country to the
other. The Nationals were carried forward
in different leagues and associations until
1891. In the following year the Wagners
assumed control of base ball in this city,
and little attention was paid to traditions.
During the Wagner regime the word Sem
ators bobbed up, and was carried to the
close of last season. In 1901 Manager Man
ming tried to revive the old spirit as had
been done in Philadelphia. where the word
Athletics was again taken up, but the task
was a hard one, and in the confusion and
worry of a base ball war the Nationals
once more to sink into oblivion. The season
of 1905 will see revival once more OF the
Nationals. 1t is to be hoped that the title
will stick for evermOre and that the article
Of ball furnished will be of such a high
order that the veterans of long ago will
view the offspring with complacency and
unalloyed satisfaction.
How Title Was Suggested.
~. F.. L. Mchenna, who was awarded
the season pass to the ball games this
year by President Noyes for suggesting
nom de plume to be used this season by
the Washington club, was asked last even
Ing by a Star reporter as to how the name
of Nationals" occurred to him. He said
81 was sitting at my desk In the office of
the auditor of the treasury for the war
Department one bright morning when the
thought occurred to me to- suggest the
name, as Ii seemed to be so closely asso-
ciated with the good old base ball days in
this city when one could go to the park
and root and root and root for the success
of our team. l am Grand Army veteran
and the name has ever been dear to me.
7 he old Nationals were ever winners, and
it occurred to me that the name had more
significance than Senator's When the
team goes to other cities of the country
representing the capital city of the nation
no name which they might carry could be
more fitting in my estimation
II love the game of baseball better than
| any other game. Nothing can be more
refreshing than when loosed from your
office in the afternoon than to go to the
game. / was a member of the Marine Corps
| in 1861, and retired In So as sergeant, and
| have always taken great interest In all
/ things pertaining to national welfare and
the army. l was born in Baltimore sixty
three years ago, and am as enthusiastic a
| base ball fan now as was thirty years ago.
| Prof. Osler is all wrong In his remarks.
| am enjoying life, and this summer l will
| certainly enjoy going to the games to the
| utmost Way back there when the National
League held their silver anniversary my old
| friend Col Nick Young sent me a pass with
my name engraved thereon, which / used
4 throughout the season.
| 81 believe base ball is the best recreation
| on earth, and nothing gives me more pleas
| the game keeps 1900 persons out of mischief
| for a time. Washington wants a club to
| win games, and such a team will receive
| the support that 1t should. 1t makes me
feel good to know we are to have a team
| that the city will be proud of. President
/ Noyes can feel assured that l will appre-
| ciate the pass, and during the coming sea-
| son will be one of the most loyal fans in
| the capital city"
| Mr. McKenna has twice been commander
| of u s. Grant Post. G. A. r., and is at
] present assistant quartermaster general of
| the Department of the Potomac, Grand
| Army of the Republic.
Tardy Letters Of Interest.
| Many letters have been published in con-
| nection with the rechristening of the club
and they have proved good reading Be-
| low will be found several which were
little tardy in reaching President Noyes.