Man, does that ever bring me back. I played on that field for three years, with Ray Miller as a teammate in the last one (1963). He didn't know how to change speeds then, and wasn't even the best pitcher on the team---that would have been a lefthanded screwball artist named Jerry Ricucci, who later started the ubiquitous Jerry's Sub Shop chain around DC. Steve Barber played there a few years before that, and his coach Joe Branzell, who doubled as a Senators' scout, didn't bother to sign him for the Nats. Barber went on to win 20 games one year for the Orioles, and that pretty much summed up the Nats in those days.

This picture would have been taken on the East Ellipse diamond, which had the unfortunate quirk of having the Sun set in right-center field during the late innings of the 6:00 games. God help you if you were facing a lefty who threw from a 3/4 motion.

A much better ballfield was the one they had on the Monument Grounds, just across Constitution Avenue. The Sun set behind first base, and with a high bank of trees on the rise leading up to the Monument, it had the best hitting background this side of Tiger Stadium. Of course Lady Bird Johnson decided to "beautify" the grounds, and the field was destroyed in the mid-60's. Stupid environmentalists!

Rules mavens: If Gort was playing OF and pulverized would-be HRs with his Gorto-vision, what would the ruling be?

Rules mavens: If Gort was playing OF and pulverized would-be HRs with his Gorto-vision, what would the ruling be?

Not sure, but I bet by the end of the day...Chris Jaffe, Jay Jaffe or Sam Jaffe will come up with a KLAATU stat!

Given the combination of Gort, baseball, and strangeness, I'd say that Al Jaffee is the most likely one to be involved.

Argh! Ryan Jones out-nerds me to Al Jaffee by 10 minutes!

Argh! Ryan Jones out-nerds me to Al Jaffe by 10 minutes!

No, no, no!!!! Jaffee, not Jaffe. One is one of the greatest cartoonists ever, and the other is just some jackass in charge of talent for ESPN.

I was just there this September, and saw several softball teams playing.

Jeez, ok, I fixed it. But the meaning is the same, I meant the cartoonist.

Great tales, Andy. When do we get to hear about you working under James Ellington in the kitchen? ;-)

Yeah, I know you meant the same thing since, from what I remember, you're another cartoon/comic strip nut. I was just scared that the mention of Al Jaffe (rather than Jaffee) would turn this into another "Steve Phillips sucks" thread.

EDIT: I'm also a bit annoyed about being at work while you American jerkbags get the next couple of days off.

EDIT: I'm also a bit annoyed about being at work while you American jerkbags get the next couple of days off.

If it makes you feel any better, a lot of American jerkbags still have to work tomorrow. Taking days off from work is not going to help us stem off the economic onslaught of Canada.

I got caught in a tear gas cloud on those fields during a war protest in DC in April '71.......

Rules mavens: If Gort was playing OF and pulverized would-be HRs with his Gorto-vision, what would the ruling be?

I would imagine the ball would be declared dead.

-applause-

George Washington University was playing its home games on the Ellipse when I came to DC in the early 70s. I think they only moved when they had to.

Yeah, I think all they play there now is slow pitch softball or other crap like that.

-applause-

-takes a bow-

In a way, this is sort of a reminder that Washington's baseball heritage dates back to before the Civil War. In fact, the original Washington Nationals, one of the leading teams of pre-professional days, was largely comprised of government workers.

I got caught in a tear gas cloud on those fields during a war protest in DC in April '71.......

One time during an anti-Nam march in NYC...I got nicked in the head by a destruction worker's rivet...I ducked into the subway, hopped on and headed up to The Stadium.

Yanks lost/Vietnam won.

Full day.

Post out.

Yanks lost/Vietnam won.

I'm sure Repoz would love this classic Daily News headline after the Yanks took the '61 Series.