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This Day in D.C. Baseball History

mark@nationalspride.com (Mark Hornbaker) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:06:30 GMT

The Chicago Whales (or ChiFeds) were bankrolled by a number of wealthy MidWest businessmen including chewing gum magnate William Wrigley. The Whales actually outdrew the Cubs during its brief run and challenged its cross-town rivals, both Cubs and White Sox to a three-way round robin playoff. The Cubs and White Sox declined.

The signing of Walter Johnson and other high-profile players initiated a lawsuit that would challenge baseball's sacrosanct Reserve Clause. Presiding over that case was Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis who would later become MLB Commisioner.

Salary escalation was proving painful to all parties and they settled their lawsuit without Judge Landis having to rule on the Reserve Clause--much to his relief.

The owners of the Whales were allowed to purchase the floundering Cubs and combine players from both the Whales and the Cubs. The combined team, minus Walter Johnson, of course, moved to Wrigley Field.

- Mark Ahrens

Vermont Roadtrip

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:31:09 GMT

Thanks, Mark. Not to speak for NP as a whole, but contributions from special correspondents are gratefully invited by this Hutch.

- Hendo

Vermont Roadtrip

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:28:03 GMT

Living in the NE, I am always looking for a good reason to travel up to VT...

Let me know if you need some "local" reporting for the upcoming year.

- Mark Ahrens

The NL East, position by position: first base

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:09:24 GMT

Indeed... he came up with a stiff back yesterday, probably no more than a couple hours after this column was posted. Let's hope it's not an NP Curse.

- Mike Henderson

The NL East, position by position: first base

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:57:59 GMT

Uh, Johnson is already hurt according to some reports.

- Section 204 Row H Seat 7

National Anthem auditions

ian@nationalspride.com (Ian Koski) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:46:39 GMT

I would love to audition if you are doing this in the 2010 season.

- Nichol Kastor

Only single-seat and season tickets remain for Opening Day

ian@nationalspride.com (Ian Koski) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:17:04 GMT

I'd be curious to know how many of those tix went to Philly fans.

- Hendo

Only single-seat and season tickets remain for Opening Day

ian@nationalspride.com (Ian Koski) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:48:23 GMT

They are apparently still holding back a lot of tickets for potential season ticket sales. I just pulled up a block of 20 seats in Infield Gallery with no problem.

- TBC

The NL East, position by position: catcher

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:43:10 GMT

@Jeff: That wait for Norris, IMO, could be a long one. Like forever.

- Hendo

The NL East, position by position: catcher

hendo@nationalspride.com (Mike Henderson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:31:20 GMT

@Traveler8: Schneider suffered in 2009 from a back strain and calf injury and spent a month and a half on the DL of a team not renowned for intelligent injury management. One hopes that, having passed a physical with the Phillies, he'll regress somewhat to the mean.

- Hendo