WASHINGTON — Nearly 95 years ago, D.C. saw the Washington Senators duel the New York Giants in the 1924 World Series. The team was managed by player-manager Bucky Harris at the time, and finished with a 92-62 record. While the Senators won the American League pennant by 2.0 games over the Yankees, they struggled to start the World Series.
Game 1 of the Series was held at Griffith Stadium in Washington on Oct. 4, 1924. Eventual Hall of Fame inductee Walter "The Big Train" Johnson took the mound, and the game went 12 innings. The Giants won 6-4, and Game 2 in D.C. ended with the same amount of runs, but with Senators on top this time, according to Baseball-Reference.
After Game 2, the Series moved to New York. The Giants won 6-4, taking a 2-1 Series lead. But the Senators tied the Series by winning Game 4, 7-4.
With the series tied 2-2, the Giants won Game 5, 6-2, and were only one win away from their third World Series title in four straight appearances, according to Baseball-Reference.
With the Senators down 3-2, they found a way to survive. Game 6 was back at Griffith Stadium, and Tom Zachary gave up seven hits but only earned one run as he pitched a complete game, striking out three players and walking none.
Player-manager Harris hit a two-run single in the fifth inning, giving the Senators the game-winning run, ending the game with a 4-3 score.
Game 7 lasted 12 innings, and is one of only four World Series' in which the seventh game was won in extra innings.
The Nationals are playing the Houston Astros in the 2019 World Series, and are facing the same fate. After winning the first two games in Houston, but losing three straight at home, the Nats trail the Astros in the Series 3-2.
The Nationals beat the Astros in Game 6 Tuesday night in Houston. Now the series goes on to Game 7 Wednesday.
The 1924 World Series may be a glimmer of hope for Nats fans and the team itself. If the Senators could survive then, maybe the Nationals can now.