Evening star., 1945-08-26
Early Washington Baseball Teams

the ball was passing from the thrower
to the catcher.
"Of the National Club, Messrs. Wright,
Hibbs, German and Brown made ex-
cellent strikes and very fine runs. The
best catch Of the day was made by Mr..
Dooley of the Nationals, a fly catch
in the left field from a splendid strike
by Mitchell. Messrs. Hibbs and Bigger
won golden opinions on all hands as
easy and even pitchers; while the
catchers-Messrs. Smedberg and Cor
man-occupied their difficult posts with
honor"
The German here referred to was
Arthur Pue German, who later served
many years in Congress as a Senator
from Maryland. But even in the early
days the highest public officials were
enthusiastic over the game, just as they
are today.
Presidents as Fans
In this connection, so far as is known.
the first President to be interested in
baseball was Abraham Lincoln, who un-
doubtedly witnessed some OF the earlier
games on the White House lot. At other
times, when returning from his cot
tage in the Soldiers Home, and when
stopping in front of Secretary STAN
tons house on K street, to the north
OF Franklin Park, we are told that,
Mr.. Lincoln now and then saw a large
crowd-and enthusiastic-arranged in a
circle in Franklin Square. Great shouts
rended the air. Mr.. Lincoln knew the
all-but-daily occurrence was not q rais-
ing on mighty staff the national
colors. The shouts came when q bril-
liant play was made of a clout over
felder's head in the national game.
Verly likely he was close to the amusing
and exciting scene in June. 1862. when
the Jefferson and the Monitor Baseball
Clubs contended with the close and ex-
ceedingly small score Of a to 49,"
President James A. Garfield. during
his brief administration, was very fond
Of baseball, and witnessed q number
Of games to the rear of the White House
grounds, where the Marine Band was an
added attraction. Subsequent Presi-
dents have not only witnessed many
games but have often thrown the ball
out the first game of the season.
Winning the Series
However, coming down to the last
quarter of century, the present gen.
Grafton can well recall when the Sen
ators not only won the pennant in the
American League in 1924, but won the
World Series as well. At this time, ac-
cording to the record. the first and sew
enth games went II innings, and 1t
was through the supreme efforts of
Walter johnson, who pitched the last
four innings in the final game, and by
McNeeley's timely two-bagger, that the
World Series was decided in favor of
Washington.
Again in 1925. the Washingtons led
the American League, but lost the World
Series at Pittsburgh, the final score in
the. last, or seventh game, being Pitts
burgh Q, Washington T.. In 1888 the re-
suit was substantially the same, for al
though the Senators led the American
League, they lost the series to the
New York Giants at Grifith Stadium
on October 7.
To the writer, Grifhth Stadium brings
fond recollections, recalling as it does
the days when it was known as Beyer's
Park-and that has been quite a long
while ago. Associated with the grounds
was the Park Hotel, which catered par
ticularly to the farmers living in the
country to the north of the hotel, though
the proprietor did not confine himself
to this trade alone, but was willing to
take most any one, as his advertisement
In the City Directory for 1865 and at
other times, would indicate. One of the
earliest of these announcements, in
serted by Louis Boyer. reads:
Park Hotel, situated near the termi-
nus OF the Seventh street railroad, sur
rounded by beautiful park. The pro-
prietor takes great pleasure In ANNOUNCE
ing to his old friends and the public
generally that he Is prepared to accom-
modate permanent and transient board
ers. having thoroughly refitted the
above hotel"
Beyer's Park
The earliest history Of this old park
dates back to the days when Mrs. Bar
bara johnson, widow Of Jacob johnson,
ran dairy about where the hotel stood,
She was the mother Of 1t. James john
son, long connected with the Metropol-
itan Police force and member of the
Association OF the Oldest Inhabitants.
Barbara johnson once owned all the
land from the hotel south to Florida
avenue.
Louis Beyer conducted this hotel and
operated the park as picnic grounds
up to about 1884, at which time 1t be-
came known as the Maryland House.
Subsequent to this date 1t was con-
Quoted by \ Mr.. Wylie, Mr.. Talks, q
Mr.. Frayley, and from 1898 to 1914, by
Mr.. and Mrs. z. w. Charlton.
The entrance to Beyer's Park was
about lso feet north Of the present ball
park entrance.