----- Original Message -----
From: Michael and Linda Marmer
To: thewashingtonsenators@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 10:48 PM
Subject: Re: [The Washington Senators] Washington Senators memories...


Bill,

I was 17 when the Senators left town.

However, I did write earlier, before your question, that I was at the game and
it was a great time.

I have attended about 12 games a year, since the Nationals came to DC and I plan
on doing the same next year, no matter what the team is like, because it is
baseball.

In time, the team will be there with the other power houses.

But for now, they need the fan support.

I will say, for such a "bad" team, the players have bonded well together, not
like some other teams. The team bonding together, makes you want to support
these guys also.

Mike Marmer
----- Original Message -----
From: bill gero
To: thewashingtonsenators@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: [The Washington Senators] Washington Senators memories...


Art,
I did not ask who was at the last game in 1971, I was asking about the last
game @ RFK on Sept. 23 of this year. I was only 10 when the Senators left town
in '71. I realy like the poem you posted. I'm going to print it, frame it amd
hang it my office along side the rest of my Senators memorabilia. Thanks !!
Bill Gero

Art Audley <Aa3rt@...> wrote:
I was 15 years old when the Senators began play in the 1969 season,
turning 16 in July. In researching my previous post, I had to rely on
James R. Hartley's "Washington's Expansion Senators (1961-1971)" to
fill in the blanks for some long-faded memories.

(BTW-An excellent reference and a worthwhile addition to the baseball
library for any Senators fan.)

In response to Bill Gero's query about who was at the last game on Sep.
30, 1971-I was not among the faithful. I was away attending my first
semester of college. The 1971 season is pretty much a blur to me-I'd
graduated from high school in June and had numerous other things
preoccupying me during that last, inglorious season. Things like girls,
cars, preparing for college all being overshadowed by a very low draft
number. I remember watching the news broadcast (in glorious black and
white) of the last game and the forefeit-not believeing that there
would be no more baseball in DC and that forefeit to the hated Yankees!!
What a way for it to end!

Anyhow, while researching my previous post, I found a clipping from the
March 30, 1989 Washington Times that I'd tucked away in the Hartley
book. It includes a poem written by a gentleman named Thomas Ponton.
Mr. Ponton says that Sep. 30, 1971 was his 11th birthday and he was
among the crowd who witnessed that final debacle. While I'm not a
poetry fan by any means, I thought this item was special-hopefully some
of you will enjoy it as well.

"When the Senators Left Town" by Thomas Ponton

When the Senators played, it always seemed sunny,
And you could go to the park and not spend much money.
There was Howard, Epstein, Pasqual, McMullen,
Brinkman, Stroud, Unser, Tim Cullen,
Coleman, Casanova, Bosman, Jim French,
And Knowles and Grzenda would come off the bench.
But the memories are jaded-my spirits are down,
Since '71 when the Senators left town.

To root for the team was like going to Confession,
'Cause they last time they won it was before the Depression.
Sure there were chances but they went north with the Twins,
And we were stuck with a new team that recorded few wins.
From the stands we'd all watch and seldom complain,
Except when they traded for Denny McClain.
We had our team spirit which nothing would drown,
'Til '71 when the Senators left town.

Now Boston had a curse and Chicago the blues,
But the Senators were the ones who knew how to lose.
And we can recall that very last game,
When the fans took the field--oh, what a shame!
And Mike Kekich served up a gopher ball pitch,
And Frank Howard slammed that son of a ------.
In that moment they were special--a team of renown--
'Til the very next day when the Senators left town.

So I look back and recall when we wore our red hats,
And would cheer and drink beer and pull for the Nats.
But my thoughts are now distant and hopeless they seem,
For Angelos will surely block any new team.
Maybe Collins will get lucky--let's hope he can do,
And D.C. baseball will be back for a year, mybe two.
But I continue to sit back with my ever-lastin' frown,
For my childhood ended when the Senators left town.

---------------------------------
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