For Washington baseball fans old enough to remember or wise enough to study the rich baseball history of the nation’s capital, the 1969 Senators hold a special place. Until the Nationals win their 82nd game in a season (let’s hope it’s in 2008), they remain the last team in Washington to play better than .500 baseball.
The Senators roster included many students of the game, men who loved baseball and studied its fine points. Many went on to coach baseball at various levels from college baseball to winter leagues in Latin America to the minor leagues to the big leagues. In fact, ten still work in baseball. Below are their names and the teams they work for:
Joe Coleman, Pitching Coach, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit’s High A farm club in the Florida State League)
Toby Harrah, Roving Minor League Instructor, Detroit Tigers
Camilo Pascual, Scout – Venezuela, Los Angeles Dodgers
Jim Shellenback, Pitching Coach, Elizabethtown Twins, Rookie ball, Appalachian League (Minnesota Twins)
Frank Howard, Professional Scout, New York Yankees (Aside – Wouldn’t it be great if the Nationals could somehow employ him?)
Del Unser, Professional Scout, Philadelphia Phillies
Dick Bosman, Minor League Coordinator, Pitching, Tampa Bay Rays
Darold Knowles, Pitching Coach, Dunedin Blue Jays (Florida State League, Toronto Blue Jays)
Dick Such, Pitching Coach, Camden Riversharks, Atlantic League (Independent)
Wayne Terwilliger, Coach, Fort Worth Cats, American Association (Independent) [Note -- In 2005, Terwilliger, the '69 Senators third base coach, at age 80, led the Cats to the league championship. To keep a promise to his players, he had his ear pierced!]
One other Senator deserves special mention – Jim Hannan as Chairman of the Board for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA). He passionately pursues pension rights for former major league players, especially those in financial distress. Our heroes of lore made little money and often have little more than memories of glory days past. Hannan, along with others, including current president Brooks Robinson help put some money in the pockets of men who brought us childhoods filled with joy.