- Hope, which springs eternal, was busting out all over as the Senators wound up their sixty-fifth American League season and their nineteenth straight year in the second division. In Washington, the fans never say that their team moved away in 1960 to become something called the Minnesota Twins. As far as the fans are concerned, the nation's capital has an unbroken succession of Washington franchises going back to 1901. While the 1965 season offered some hope on the field, James Johnston and James Lemon, co-owners of the Nats, took another financial bat. The Senators' attendance dropped over 40,000 from the 600,106 figure in 1964, which was the lowest in the majors. Johnston, spokesman for the club, says he has no intention of moving or selling. They do say that Calvin Griffith would not have been able to win the pennant with the same club which captured the flag as the Minnesota Twins. The logic is that Calvin got a little operating money and was able to stock up with players as well as high-priced coaches.
Johnston has never asked to spare the horses. He has given GM George Selkirk a free hand. One of Selkirk's top investments this year was a $75,000 outlay for an 18-year-old high school boy named Joe Coleman, Jr., a righthanded pitcher from Natick, Mass. His dad, Joe Coleman, Sr., had pitched well from the old Athletics, Orioles and Tigers. That didn't necessarily make the boy a fine pitcher, yet Selkirk and farm director Hal Keller were delighted with what they saw when they scouted Coleman. Young Joe was sent to Burlington, N.C. in the Class A Carolina League, and part of the agreement when Coleman was signed was that Young Joe would be recalled in September to spend the last month with the parent club. Selkirk kept his work and brought the boy up, despite a 2-11 record. Coleman made a sensational debut on September 28, holding the A's to five hits and one earned run in eight innings of a 3-2 15-inning victory. On the basis of that performance, Coleman was given another shot against Detroit on the final day of the season. This one was a route-going job on a two-hitter and a 6-1 victory.
- Frank Howard, the Senators' giant outfielder, proved he wasn't crying wolf at all during the season. Howard had considerable trouble with his right elbow, which affected his throwing and his batting stroke although he finished with 27 home runs and in second in the American League with 97 RBI. Howard underwent an operation after the season which was an unqualified success. "I just hope the arm will be all right," said Howard. "I can't tell until I bat and throw, but it does feel more comfortable since Dr. Resta operated on it. I don't remember many nights this past summer when I could sleep the whole night through because of the pain in that arm." The Senators were pleased with Howard's showing in 1965, but think he can improve his average from .250.
- The consensus is that Gil Hodges, who still have another year to go on his extended contract, will return as manager of Washington next year. Hodges is in no danger of being fired, but there is a strong report that he will be released to take over the job as manager of the Mets. The New York press (before the strike) was buzzing about the possibility of Hodges going to the Mets. The logic was that Gil, who never deserted Brooklyn, would be closer to his family. "Nobody was come to me with an offer to manage the Mets," said Hodges. "Naturally, I'm flattered. But I owe a great deal to Mr. Selkirk and the Washington organization. They had faith in me and gave me a chance to manage. I would have to respect my contract with them." Does that mean he would move to the Mets, assuming he is still in demand, after the 1966 season? "How can I comment on something that has not happened," parried Gil. "I don't know what I would or wouldn't do until the time came. Meanwhile, I have a contract with Washington and I intend to honor it."
