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Three rows of baseball players pose for a photograph of the team.
[Washington Baseball], Harris & Ewing, photographer, 1924. Prints and Photographs Division.

From Underdogs to Champions: The 1924 Washington Senators

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This year the Washington Nationals will celebrate their 5-year anniversary since winning the World Series in 2019. But did you know that the Nationals won the World Series 100 years ago as well? Better known as the Washington Senators at the time, the team had officially changed its name to the Washington Nationals in 1905, but newspapers continued to use both the Senators and Nationals names.

“The name “Senators” meant losing, bad luck, and the Wagner brothers,” wrote author Gary Sarnoff in his new book, Team of Destiny: Walter Johnson, Clark Griffith, Bucky Harris, and the 1924 Washington Senators. “Then in 1924 it all came together for Washington.”

Not much had changed at the beginning of 1924. Many of the players were the same, including the incredible pitcher, Walter Johnson. But when Clark Griffith went from manager to co-owner, he decided to make second baseman Stanley “Bucky” Harris the new manager of the team. He was laughed at for his decision to promote the young, relatively inexperienced Harris, but it turned out that Griffith made a wise decision. Harris went on to lead the team to winning the American League pennant and on to the World Series.

Photographs of Walter Johnson and Stanley Harris next to an article about the Senators' World Series win.
“Senators Win Title in Thrilling 12-Inning Game,” Daily Kennebec Journal (Augusta, ME), October 11, 1924.

The World Series between the Senators and the Giants was intense, the teams trading wins and leaving it to the last game to determine the series. In a final game that went into an incredible twelve innings, the Senators finally took the lead, becoming World Champions.

Newspaper photograph. Photo caption reads: Goose Goslin, who will probably be given a golden key to the Capital, Georgetown, Anacostia, Silver Spring, etc., crossing the plate after he smacked the horsehide into the bleachers yesterday afternoon.
“The Hit That Shook the Washington Monument,” Evening Star (Washington, DC) October 8, 1924.

Sarnoff spent hours going through newspaper coverage of the team in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room while writing his book. If you are able to visit the Library, please join us on Thursday to hear from Mr. Sarnoff as he tells us more about the incredible journey of these hometown heroes.

Made at the Library: Gary Sarnoff’s “Team of Destiny” and the 1924 Washington Senators

Thursday, August 1, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm EDT
James Madison Building, West Dining Room LM-621

Made at the Library is an event series highlighting works inspired by and emerging from research at the Library of Congress. There is no ticketing for this event.

Don’t miss these other great ways to learn about the 1924 Washington Senators:

* The Chronicling America historic newspapers online collection is a product of the National Digital Newspaper Program and jointly sponsored by the Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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