In October 1923, Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith was looking to make a change, once again, with his team’s leadership.

Often derided as “First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League,” the Senators’ first quarter-century was marked with mediocrity. After a fourth-place finish in 1923, Griffith fired manager Donie Bush and turned to his young second baseman, Bucky Harris.

“You’re only a kid, as managers go,” Griffith told Harris. “But I’m gambling on you having the right stuff.”