Cecil Travis; Washington Senators Legend

"I just lost my timing, is all," he told Sports Illustrated in 1991. "That, and I was getting a little older. All I know is that pitches I used to hit the fool out of were getting me out. I figured it was time to go back where I came from, the farm."

Cecil Howell Travis was born Aug. 8, 1913, on the Georgia farm he would call home all his life. He was the youngest of 10 children and sharpened his baseball talent by swinging a hoe at rocks.

When a former major eague player saw the 17-year-old Mr. Travis at a tryout, he reportedly told a scout: "Brother, there is a big-league ballplayer or else I'm cuckoo."

At 6-feet-1 and 185 pounds, Mr. Travis was unusually big for an infielder of his day, and he was only adequate with the glove. But he won respect for his tough, uncomplaining style of play.

In 1934, he missed several games after he was beaned by Cleveland Indians left-hander Thornton Lee. In his first game back, Mr. Travis faced Lee again -- and hit a triple on the first pitch.

American League umpires named Mr. Travis their favorite player. One of them, Bill McGowan, said, "He's the only ballplayer I ever felt sorry about calling out."

In 1947, the Senators honored Mr. Travis before a game, presenting him with a DeSoto car and a Hereford bull. He then returned to his farm in Riverdale, where he raised cattle and, for a few years, scouted for the Senators.

His wife of 62 years, Helen Travis, died in 2004. A son, Cecil A. Travis, preceded him in death.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Travis and Ricky Travis, both of Riverdale; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Travis is one of 27 former ballplayers listed on the ballot of the veterans committee of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Results will be announced in February.