Washington Grays?

kpking3032 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 11:17 PM

So the more I read the more it sounds like the Washinton Grays name is picking up some steam, at least in the press (I think I first heard Stu Scott suggest the team name saying the Washington Grays were a Negro League Team) but I have done some limited research, and, am I missing something??? Washington never had a Negro League team, much less the Washington Grays, they were the Homestead Grays, located just outside of Pittsburgh back when Pitt was a booming steel town and Josh Gibson was playing for the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Pittsburgh has a fascinating Negro League history (two teams for a few years), but Washington really has zero negro league history from what I am looking at.

I hate false nostalgia. The Senators makes a ton of sense and its legitimate nostalgia. DC is such an unbelievabley different city now demographically and it won't be what it was especially when the ownership situation settles down.

In a polarized city like D.C I have a suggestion, and it also incorporates Negro League history. Atlanta's team was the Atlanta Black Crackers. Howz about the Washington Black Crackers, a team name that will offend everyone EXCEPT for Native Americans and Hispanic Americans!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN

Motor City Sonics · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 11:59 PM

The Homestead Grays did play a lot of games in Washington, though they were more of a Pennsylvania team.

How about

The Washington Homeless

Plenty of homeless in DC and, well the team has been kind of homeless the last 2 or 3 years.

DetroitFolly · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 06:23 PM

I don't have a problem with a Negro League tribute of some sort.

Why not the Stars? Yes, they were a Detroit team, but stars works a lot of ways. The flag, America's Capital, the Negro Leagues...

that could go a long way in soothing a bunch of people.

HankusPankus · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 09:19 PM

There is book out about the Homestead Grays that I hear is pretty good...

http://www.owlcroft.com/PHP/onebook....ghboskagehouse

I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but from what I understand the Grays were very popular in DC and often outdrew the Senators.

I wouldn't mind any of the following: Senators, Nationals and Grays.

Motor City Sonics · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 10:07 PM

How about Ambassadors?

I don't mind the tribute to the Negro League, in fact I think it's a great idea.....I just don't like "Grays". Rather dull sounding eh?

MAROTH4MVP · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 11:31 PM

I liked Washington Commanders
Like you know Commander and chief

MotorCityOrangeman · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 11:58 AM

Senators. Nothing else.

Buddha · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 12:05 PM

I thought the Homestead Grays were from Pittsburgh?

If they did play a lot in DC, then it sounds like a great idea to me. I'm partial to Senators, but Grays would be cool too.

MAROTH4MVP · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 12:08 PM

The Senators name didnt work before so why go back to it. People keep wanting to use a name from the past. What the team needs is a fresh start and a new name. If you live in the past you die in the past.

tiger337 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MAROTH4MVP
The Senators name didnt work before so why go back to it. People keep wanting to use a name from the past. What the team needs is a fresh start and a new name. If you live in the past you die in the past.

The connection between past and present is much stronger in baseball than it is in other sports and I think that is one of baseball's strengths. I hope they are called the Senators. No purple or teal on their uniforms either !

MotorCityOrangeman · #11 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MAROTH4MVP
The Senators name didnt work before so why go back to it. People keep wanting to use a name from the past. What the team needs is a fresh start and a new name. If you live in the past you die in the past.

The people of D.C. want 'Senators.' If they're called anything else except maybe the 'Nationals', it will be a crime.

DetroitFolly · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 09:08 AM

Really? A crime?

estrepe1 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 09:15 AM

Seems a little harsh MCO, we will see where it goes.

CMRivdog · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buddha
I thought the Homestead Grays were from Pittsburgh?

If they did play a lot in DC, then it sounds like a great idea to me. I'm partial to Senators, but Grays would be cool too.

While the Grays were based in the Pittsburgh area, the played several of their home games in Washington D C, at the old Griffith Stadium, when there were scheduling conflicts at Forbes Field.

In the '30s and '40s many Negro League teams were actually barnstorming teams that played where they could draw a crowd and make a profit. With the Pittsburgh Crawfords also based in Steel city, Washington became a natural location for the team.

Here are a couple of links

http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/t...ead_Grays.html

http://www.nlbpa.com/homestead_grays.html

(My grandfather was a big Pirate Fan. I remember when the 1971 Bucs fielded the Majors first all blace starting team he used to joke that they should rename the Pirates the Homestead Grays.)