One and done in Washington

Jim Lemon

Jim Lemon’s stay as the Washington Senators’ manager lasts all of one season as the onetime All-Star outfielder is fired 56 years ago today.

No worries, though, for Washington owner Bob Short, who already has a replacement in mind for Lemon for the 1969 season.

Less than four weeks after firing Lemon, who goes 65-96 with Washington in 1968, Short hires Hall of Famer Ted Williams as his next manager.

Ted Williams

Williams rallies Washington to an 86-76 record in 1969, but finishes 55 games under .500 over the next two seasons before he and the franchise relocate to Texas to become the Rangers.

Williams promptly goes 50-100 with the newly branded Rangers and retires from the dugout after a four-season record of 273-364 as a manager.

His record, though, did not diminish from the respect Williams receives from his players.

“Ted Williams doesn’t show any partiality,” Frank Howard, the Senators’ power-hitting All-Star told author Steve Walker.

“I don’t care whether you’re hitting 45 home runs for him or you’re only hitting five,” Howard says. “He’s going to treat you the way you should be treated. He’s going to treat you the way that you treat him. If you show him respect and you’re busting your ass, shoot, Ted Williams will never say a thing to you. He’ll admire you.”