Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals
2016 Washington Nationals season
Established in 1969
Based in Washington, D.C. since 2005
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
National League (1969–present) East Division (1969–present)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	42
Colors
Red, Navy Blue, White[1]
Name
Washington Nationals (2005–present) Montreal Expos (1969–2004)
Other nicknames
Nats
Ballpark
Nationals Park (2008–present) Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (2005–2007) a.k.a. RFK Stadium Olympic Stadium (1977–2004) Hiram Bithorn Stadium (2003–2004) Jarry Park Stadium (1969–1976)
Major league titles
East Division titles (4)	1981 2012 2014 2016
Front office
Owner(s)	Ted Lerner
Manager	Dusty Baker
General Manager	Mike Rizzo
President of Baseball Operations	Mike Rizzo

The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadium; since 2008 their home stadium has been Nationals Park on South Capitol Street in Southeast D.C., near the Anacostia River.^[2]

As the Major League Baseball team in the U.S. capital, the Nationals are the successors to the original Washington Nationals, renamed Senators in 1956 (both "Nats" for short). A Washington Senators team — one from 1891 to 1899 played in the early National League, the American League Nationals from 1901 to 1960 (becoming the Senators in 1956) then moving to Minnesota to become the Minnesota Twins. The expansion Senators existed from 1961 to 1971 then moved to Arlington as the Texas Rangers.

An expansion franchise, National League club was founded in 1969 as the Montreal Expos, the first major league team in Canada.^[3] They were based in Montreal, and played their home games at Jarry Park Stadium and later in Olympic Stadium. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, the Expos won a division championship and made their only post-season appearance as a Montreal franchise, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, 3–2, in the National League Division Series, but losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3–2, in the National League Championship Series.

The franchise had its highest winning percentage in the strike-shortened season of 1994, when the team had the best record in baseball. The team's subsequent shedding of players caused fan interest to drop off, and after the 2001 season, MLB considered revoking the team's franchise, along with either the Minnesota Twins or the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.^[4][5] After being purchased by MLB in 2002, the team was moved before the 2005 season to Washington, D.C. and renamed the Nationals, the first relocation since the expansion Washington Senators moved to Arlington, Texas, and became the Texas Rangers in 1972.

Including their time in Montreal, the Nationals are one of two franchises, and the only one in the National League, never to have played in a World Series. (The American League's Seattle Mariners are the other).^[6][7]

History

Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos joined the National League in 1969, along with the San Diego Padres, with a majority share held by Charles Bronfman, a major shareholder in Seagram. Named after the Expo 67 World's Fair, the Expos' initial home was Jarry Park. Managed by Gene Mauch, the team lost 110 games in their first season, coincidentally matching the Padres inaugural win-loss record, and continued to struggle during their first decade with sub-.500 seasons.

Starting in 1977, the team's home venue was Montreal's Olympic Stadium, built for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Two years later, the team won a franchise-high 95 games, finishing second in the National League East. The Expos began the 1980s with a core group of young players, including catcher Gary Carter, outfielders Tim Raines and Andre Dawson, third baseman Tim Wallach, and pitchers Steve Rogers and Bill Gullickson. The team won its only division championship in the strike-shortened split season of 1981, ending its season with a three games to two loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

The team spent most of the 1980s in the middle of the NL East pack, finishing in third or fourth place in eight out of nine seasons from 1982 to 1990. Buck Rodgers was hired as manager before the 1985 season and guided the Expos to a .500 or better record five times in six years, with the highlight coming in 1987, when they won 91 games. They finished third, but were just four games behind the division-winning Cardinals.

Bronfman sold the team to a consortium of owners in 1991, with Claude Brochu as the managing general partner.^[8][9] Rodgers, at that time second only to Gene Mauch in number of Expos games managed, was replaced partway through the 1991 season. In May 1992, Felipe Alou, a member of the Expos organization since 1976, was promoted to manager, becoming the first Dominican-born manager in MLB history.^[8] Alou would become the leader in Expos games managed, while guiding the team to winning records, including 1994, when the Expos, led by a talented group of players including Larry Walker, Moisés Alou, Marquis Grissom and Pedro Martínez, had the best record in the major leagues until the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season. After the disappointment of 1994, Expos management began shedding its key players, and the team's fan support dwindled.

Brochu sold control of the team to Jeffrey Loria in 1999,^[10][11] but Loria failed to close on a plan to build a new downtown ballpark, and did not reach an agreement on television and English radio broadcast contracts for the 2000 season, reducing the team's media coverage.

2001 contraction

In November 2001, Major League Baseball's owners voted 28–2 to contract the league by two teams — according to various sources, the Expos and the Minnesota Twins, both of which reportedly voted against contraction.^[12] Subsequently, the Boston Red Sox were sold to a partnership led by John W. Henry, owner of the Florida Marlins.^[12][13] In order to clear the way for Henry's group to assume ownership of the Red Sox, Henry sold the Marlins to Loria, and baseball purchased the Expos from Loria.^[12] However, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, operator of the Metrodome, won an injunction requiring the Twins to play there in 2002.^[12] Because MLB was unable to revoke the Twins franchise, it was compelled to keep both the Twins and Expos as part of the regular season schedule. In the collective bargaining agreement signed with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) in August 2002, contraction was prohibited until the end of the contract in 2006.^[14] By that time, the Expos had become the Washington Nationals and the Twins had made sufficient progress towards the eventual building of a new baseball-specific stadium that contraction was no longer on the agenda.

Creation of the Nationals

With contraction no longer an option for the immediate term, MLB began looking for a relocation site for the Expos. Some of the choices included Oklahoma City; Washington, D.C.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Monterrey, Mexico; Portland, Oregon; somewhere in Northern Virginia such as Arlington or Dulles; Norfolk, Virginia; Las Vegas; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Washington, D.C. and Virginia emerged as the front-runners.

In both 2003 and 2004, the Expos played 22 of their home games in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and the remaining 59 in Montreal.

On September 29, 2004, MLB announced that the Expos would move to Washington, D.C. in 2005.^[15][16]

The Expos played their final game on October 3 at Shea Stadium, losing by a score of 8–1 against the New York Mets, the same opponent that the Expos first faced at its start, 35 years earlier. On November 15, a lawsuit by the former team owners against MLB and former majority owner Jeffrey Loria was struck down by arbitrators, bringing to an end all legal actions that would impede a move. The owners of the other MLB teams approved the move to Washington in a 28–1 vote on December 3 (Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos cast the sole dissenting vote).

Washington baseball history revived

Numerous professional baseball teams have called Washington, D.C. home. The Washington Senators, a founding member of the American League (AL), played in the nation's capital from 1901 to 1960 before moving to Minnesota and becoming the Twins. The original Washington American League Base Ball Club was founded by three local businessmen: Edward J. Walsh, Benjamin Minor, and Harry Rapley. Clark Griffith was hired as manager in 1912 and became a part owner, accumulating majority shares in later years. The stadium, known as Washington American League Base Ball Park, later became known as Griffith Stadium. With notable stars including Walter Johnson and Joe Cronin, the Senators won the 1924 World Series and pennants in 1925 and 1933. The franchise became more successful after moving to Minnesota for the 1961 season to be renamed the Minnesota Twins. A second Washington Senators team (1961–1971) had a winning record only once in its 11 years, although it featured slugger Frank Howard, who was inducted into the Ring of Fame at the new Nationals Park in 2016. This team was notable also because Ted Williams was manager in 1971. The expansion Senators moved to Arlington, Texas for the 1972 season and changed its name to the Texas Rangers. The city of Washington spent the next 33 years without a baseball team.

Although there was some sentiment to revive the name Senators when the Montreal Expos franchise moved to Washington in 2005, political considerations factored into the choice of Nationals, a revival of the first American League franchise's official name used from 1901 to 1956.^[17] Politicians and others in the District of Columbia objected to the name Senators because the District of Columbia does not have voting representation in Congress.^[18] In addition, the Rangers still owned the rights to the Senators name,^[19] although the Nationals were able to acquire the rights to the curly "W" logo from the Rangers.

Washington, D.C., mayor Anthony A. Williams supported the name "Washington Grays", in honor of the Negro-league team the Homestead Grays (1929–1950), which had been based in Pittsburgh, but played many of their home games in Washington. In the end, the team owners chose the name "Washington Nationals."

Washington Nationals

Nationals versus the Cincinnati Reds in 2009 at Nationals Park

When Ted Lerner took over the club in mid-2006, he hired Stan Kasten as team president. Kasten was widely known as the architect of the Atlanta Braves before and during their run of 14 division titles. Kasten was also the general manager or president of many other Atlanta-area sports teams, including the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers. "The Plan", as it became known, was a long-range rebuilding and restructuring of the team from the ground up. This plan included investing in the farm system and the draft, and having a suitable team to go along with their new stadium.

In the front office, the Nationals hired the well-respected former Arizona scouting director Mike Rizzo to be the vice president of baseball operations, second in charge under then-general manager Jim Bowden.^[20]

Thanks to back-to-back No. 1 picks of Stephen Strasburg (in 2009) and Bryce Harper (in 2010), and other strong moves to their farm system, the Nationals became a contending team by 2012, winning division titles in 2012, 2014, and 2016.^[21] In April 2015, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Nationals Park was selected by Major League Baseball to host the 2018 All Star Game.^[22]

People of note

Managers

Broadcasters

• Charlie Slowes – radio (2005–present)
• Dave Shea – radio (2005)
• Dave Jageler – radio (2006–present)
• Mel Proctor – TV (2005)
• Ron Darling – TV (2005)
• Bob Carpenter – TV (2006–present)
• Tom Paciorek – TV (2006)
• Don Sutton – TV (2007–2008)
• Rob Dibble – TV (2009–2010)
• F. P. Santangelo – TV (2011–present)

Current roster

Baseball Hall of Famers

Ford C. Frick Award

Retired numbers

Jackie Robinson 2B Retired 1997

During the franchise's period in Montreal, the Montreal Expos retired three numbers in honor of four players, plus Jackie Robinson's number 42 which was retired throughout all Major League Baseball in 1997.^[25] Following the move to Washington, D.C., the numbers (except 42) were returned to circulation and remain in use as of 2016, although the "Team History" section of the Nationals' website continues to refer to the numbers as "retired."^[25] After the Expos' departure from Montreal, the National Hockey League′s Montreal Canadiens hung a banner in Bell Centre honoring the Expos' retired numbers.

Ring of Honor

On August 10, 2010, the Nationals unveiled a "Ring of Honor"^{[note 1]} at Nationals Park to honor Major League Baseball Hall of Fame members who had played "significant years" for the Washington Nationals, original Washington Senators (1901–1960), expansion Washington Senators (1961–1971), Homestead Grays, or Montreal Expos.^[26][27] In late August 2016, the team dropped the criterion that an inductee be a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, opening membership to "anyone who has made a significant contribution to the game of baseball in Washington, D.C.;"^[27] the first inductee under the new criteria was Frank Howard.^[27] The ring includes:^{[26][27][28][29][30]}

Homestead Grays

• Cool Papa Bell, CF, 1932 and 1943–1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Ray Brown, P, 1932–1945 and 1947–1948 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Josh Gibson, C, 1937–1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Buck Leonard, 1B, 1934–1950 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Cumberland Posey, player, manager, owner, and club official, 1911–1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Jud Wilson, 3B, 1931–1932 and 1940–1945 (admitted August 10, 2010)

Montreal Expos

• Gary Carter, C, 1974–1984 and 1992 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Andre Dawson, CF, 1976–1986 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Frank Robinson, manager, 2002–2004 (admitted May 9, 2015)

Washington Nationals

• Frank Robinson, manager, 2005–2006 (admitted May 9, 2015)

Washington Senators (original team, 1901–1960)

• Joe Cronin, C, 1928–1934 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Rick Ferrell, C, 1937–1941, 1944–1945, and 1947 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Goose Goslin, LF, 1921–1930, 1933, and 1938 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Clark Griffith, P, 1912–1914; owner, 1920–1955 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Bucky Harris, 2B, 1919–1928; manager, 1924–1928, 1935–1942, and 1950–1954 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Walter Johnson, P, 1907–1927 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Harmon Killebrew, 1B, 1954–1960 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Heinie Manush, LF, 1930–1935 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Sam Rice, RF, 1915–1933 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Early Wynn, P, 1939–1944 and 1946–1948 (admitted August 10, 2010)

Washington Senators (expansion team, 1961–1971)

• Bucky Harris, scout and special assistant, 1963–1971 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Frank Howard, LF and 1B, 1965–1971 (admitted August 26, 2016)

Attendance and fans

Attendance

Sources^{[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]}

Prominent fans

"Rubber Chicken Man" Hugh Kaufman cheers on the Washington Nationals with baseball writer Paul Dickson. Kaufman waves a rubber chicken over the Nats' dugout to ward off bad luck, and sometimes ritually "sacrifices" them to improve team performance.

One prominent fan is "Rubber Chicken Man" Hugh Kaufman, who waves a rubber chicken over the dugout to ward off "JuJu". Local sports writers have noted that his ritual "sacrifices" of rubber chickens often precede turnarounds in the Nationals' performance.^[42] Kaufman has built a following at the Stadium and in 2013 started a group called the "Secret Society of the Rubber Chicken" that now claims several Nationals players among its members.^[43]

Season standings

Standings updated on October 4, 2015

Bold denotes a playoff season, pennant or championship; italics denote an active season.

Minor league affiliations

Former affiliates

Nationals Dream Foundation

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is the team's charity which is "committed to community partnerships that improve the lives of children and families across the Washington Capital Region. The foundation plans to open a youth baseball academy in partnership with the D.C. government, a pediatric diabetes care center at Children's National Medical Center in partnership with the Center. The foundation also provides grants to local organizations.^[46]

On August 1, 2011, the foundation, in partnership with several local organizations, formally opened Miracle Field in Germantown, Maryland as part of an effort to encourage athletic activity in children with "mental and/or physical challenges."^[47] According to Steven Miller of MLB.com, what sets Miracle Field apart in terms of safety is its unique design, as it "is made entirely of a cushioned synthetic turf that is five-eighths of an inch thick-- providing a safe surface for children in wheelchairs or with other handicaps." ^[48]

Radio and television

Mascots dressed as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln in the stands during a 2010 game against the Baltimore Orioles. They compete in the Presidents Race every mid-fourth inning of a home game.

The Nationals' flagship radio station is WJFK-FM (106.7 FM) "The Fan", which is owned by CBS Radio. Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler are the play-by-play announcers. Most games are simulcast on WFED (1500 AM), which had been the flagship station since the 2006 season^[49] until a multi-year agreement was reached between the Nationals and WJFK before the 2011 season.^[50] WJFK (1580 AM) airs any games that WFED is unable to air due to conflicts.

The other former flagship is WWZZ (104.1 FM), which carried games in the 2005 season.^[51]

Nationals' telecasts are predominantly on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), with a few games picked up for free TV by Fox by way of WTTG. MASN simulcasts 20 games per season (the season opener plus 19 weekend games) on free TV in the Washington area, on WUSA.^[52] Bob Carpenter is the TV play-by-play announcer and F.P. Santangelo was hired in January 2011 as color analyst.^[53] Former color analysts are Tom Paciorek, Don Sutton, and Rob Dibble, who was fired in September 2010 after criticizing Stephen Strasburg for not pitching while injured.^[53][54] Ray Knight and Johnny Holliday host the postgame show "Nats Xtra". Knight filled in as color analyst in September 2010 after Dibble was fired.^[53]

TV ratings were among the worst in the league as of July 2008^[55][56] but increased during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.^[57][58]

Nationals vs. Orioles

Beltway Series

The Nationals have an interleague rivalry with the nearby Baltimore Orioles nicknamed the Beltway Series. The teams have played two series a season – one in Baltimore and one in Washington – since 2006.

Notes

Footnotes

1. ^a RFK Stadium Fast Facts

References

1. ↑ Ladson, Bill (November 10, 2010). "Nationals unveil new jerseys in fashion show". Washington Nationals. Retrieved September 24, 2016. 
2. ↑ "Nationals victorious in stadium debut". MLB.com. March 29, 2008. 
3. ↑ "Franchise Timeline". Retrieved August 6, 2015. 
4. ↑ "Gwynn lost chance at .400; Expos denied playoff berth". CNN. Retrieved May 27, 2010. 
5. ↑ "Labor Pains – A guide to Major League Baseball's contraction issue". infoplease.com. Retrieved September 24, 2010. 
6. ↑ martinstezano (August 26, 2015). "6 Things You May Not Know About the World Series". A&E Television Networks, LLC. History Channel. Retrieved August 26, 2015. 
7. ↑ "World Series Club History". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 6, 2013. 
8. 1 2 Montreal Expos (1996). Expos Media Guide 1996. 
9. ↑ Blair, Jeff (June 15, 1991). "Brochu group goes to bat for baseball survival here; Expos sale official as Bronfman era ends". Montreal Gazette. pp. C.1. 
10. ↑ Montreal Expos (2000). Expos Media Guide 2000. 
11. ↑ Blair, Jeff (December 10, 1999). "Expos to field better team, Loria says Ebullient new chairman vows to increase salary limit, build new ballpark for 2002 season". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. pp. S.1. 
12. 1 2 3 4 Schoenfield, David (February 5, 2002). "Still 30 teams: Contraction timeline". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2009. 
13. ↑ Mnookin, Seth (2006). Feeding the Monster. How Money, Smarts, and Nerve Took a Team to the Top. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-8681-2. 
14. ↑ "Deal in place, games go on" (Press release). MLB.com. August 30, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2006. 
15. ↑ Myles, Stephanie (September 30, 2004). "31,395 say goodbye". Montreal Gazette. pp. C1. 
16. ↑ Bloom, Barry M. (September 29, 2004). "MLB selects D.C. for Expos". Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved May 18, 2014. 
17. ↑ "Media Center". DCVote.org. Retrieved September 24, 2010. 
18. ↑ Plotkin, Mark (October 3, 2004). "The District's Senators Shouldn't Wear Cleats". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2016. 
19. ↑ "In Washington, it'll be "Let's go Nats"". USA Today. November 22, 2004. 
20. ↑ Barry Svrluga (June 5, 2007). "Nationals Counting on Draft-Day Payoff". Washington Post. p. E01. 
21. ↑ "Nationals pick JUCO player first overall". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 30, 2015. 
22. ↑ Axisa, Mike. "Nationals Park to host 2018 All-Star Game". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 6, 2015. 
23. ↑ "Nationals Year-By-Year Results". Washington Nationals. Retrieved October 25, 2016. 
24. ↑ "Postseason Results". Washington Nationals. Retrieved 2016-10-26. 
25. 1 2 "Franchise Retired Numbers". Washington Nationals. Retrieved February 17, 2012. 
26. 1 2 "Washington Nationals Pay Tribute to Hall of Famers with Ring of Honor". Washington Nationals. August 10, 2010. 
27. 1 2 3 4 Steinberg, Dan, "Senators legend Frank Howard is humbled and thrilled to enter the Nats’ Ring of Honor," washingtonpost.com, August 26, 2016.
28. ↑ Anonymous, "'Bucky' Harris field no longer a dream" The Times Leader, October 21, 2007
29. ↑ Janes, Chelsea, "Frank Robinson inducted into Nationals Ring of Honor", washingtonpost.com, May 9, 2015.
30. ↑ Castillo, Jorge, "Frank Howard says Bryce Harper ‘hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface’," washingtonpsot.com, August 26, 2016.
31. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2005 Washington Nationals
32. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2006 Washington Nationals
33. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2007 Washington Nationals
34. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2008 Washington Nationals
35. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2009 Washington Nationals
36. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2010 Washington Nationals
37. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals
38. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals
39. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals
40. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals
41. ↑ baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals
42. ↑ Greenberg, Neil (June 11, 2014). "Besides the sacrifice of a rubber chicken, what's behind the Nats hot streak?". The Washington Post. 
43. ↑ Presidents Race Fan. "Davey Johnson calls for the sacrifice. Chicken Man delivers.". LetTeddyWin.com. 
44. 1 2 "Washington Nationals History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2008. 
45. ↑ Bill Ladson (October 26, 2007). "Young honored by Players Association". MLB.com. Retrieved November 8, 2008. 
46. ↑ "Nationals Dream Foundation". Washington Nationals. Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
47. ↑ "Washington Nationals Join Civic, Community Organizations to Build Miracle Field". MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014. 
48. ↑ Miller, Steven (August 1, 2011). "Nationals unveil Miracle League Field". Nationals.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014. 
49. ↑ "Nats, Post Radio Nearing Deal To Air Games". Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
50. ↑ "Nationals get new radio partner". Washington Business Journal. February 28, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
51. ↑ "Nationals pick radio partner". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
52. ↑ Fantis, Manny. "Washington Nationals Games on WUSA9 and MASN". Retrieved February 11, 2013. 
53. 1 2 3 "Santangelo set to join Nats' TV team". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
54. ↑ "Rob Dibble Fired by Nationals in Wake of Stephen Strasburg Comments". AOL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
55. ↑ Steinberg, Dan (July 7, 2008). "Nats: Last in the League, Last in TV Ratings". Washington Post. 
56. ↑ OURAND, JOHN (July 7, 2008). "MLB ratings down, but networks look ahead". Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2008. 
57. ↑ "Nationals' TV Ratings Improve". Retrieved October 5, 2014. 
58. ↑ Paulsen. "The Ratings Game: Ratings Up For Nationals, Orioles". Retrieved October 5, 2014. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington Nationals.

• Official website
• Washington Nationals roster
• FOX Sports – Washington Nationals team front
• Sandalow, Marc. "A Brand-New Ballgame: The New Stadium of the Nationals", Washingtonian, March 1, 2008.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves New York Mets	National League Eastern Division Champions 1981 (as Montreal Expos) 2012 2014 2016	Succeeded by St. Louis Cardinals Atlanta Braves New York Mets Incumbent

Washington Nationals
Formerly the Montreal Expos Based in Washington, D.C.
Franchise	History Seasons Records No-hitters Owners and executives Managers Players Broadcasters First-round draft picks Opening Day starting pitchers All articles
Ballparks	Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Nationals Park Spring training: Space Coast Stadium Ballpark of The Palm Beaches
Culture and lore	Presidential first pitch Presidents Race Screech How Do You Know Rubber Chicken Man
Key personnel	Owner: Ted Lerner General Manager: Mike Rizzo Manager: Dusty Baker
Rivalries	Baltimore Orioles
Retired numbers	42
Division titles (3)	2012 2014 2016
Minors	AAA: Syracuse Chiefs AA: Harrisburg Senators A Adv.: Potomac Nationals A: Hagerstown Suns Short A: Auburn Doubledays Rookie: GCL Nationals DSL Nationals
Broadcasting	Television Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) Radio 106.7 The Fan Radio network affiliates Broadcasters Bob Carpenter F. P. Santangelo Johnny Holliday Ray Knight Charlie Slowes Dave Jageler
Seasons (13) 2000s 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Links to related articles
Montreal Expos Now the Washington Nationals Based in Montreal, Quebec (1969–2004) The franchise Seasons Expansion and draft Records No-hitters Players Owners and executives Managers Broadcasters All articles Ballparks Jarry Park Olympic Stadium Hiram Bithorn Stadium Spring training City Island Ball Park Municipal Stadium Roger Dean Stadium Space Coast Stadium Culture "The Happy Wanderer" Youppi! Blue Monday Expo 67 TSN Dennis Martínez's perfect game The Cap Meilleure équipe de baseball Rivalries Toronto Blue Jays Retired numbers 8 10 10 30 42 Championships National League East: 1981 (second half) Legacy Washington Nationals   Seasons (36) 1960s · 1960 · 1961 · 1962 · 1963 · 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Principal owners of the Washington Nationals franchise Montreal Expos (1969–2004) Charles Bronfman Claude Brochu Jeffrey Loria Major League Baseball Washington Nationals (2005–present) Major League Baseball Ted Lerner Major League Baseball (2016) American League East Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays Central Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Minnesota Twins West Houston Astros Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Oakland Athletics Seattle Mariners Texas Rangers National League East Atlanta Braves Miami Marlins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Washington Nationals Central Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals West Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants Postseason World Series Champions NL NL Champions NLCS NLDS NLWC AL AL Champions ALCS ALDS ALWC Appearances Streaks Droughts Steroid usage Drug policy Doping Pittsburgh drug trials Mitchell Report MLB players named MLB players suspended for doping Biogenesis baseball scandal Jose Canseco books Juiced Vindicated Barry Bonds-related articles BALCO scandal Game of Shadows perjury case Miscellaneous All-Star Game World Baseball Classic International games Records Awards Retired numbers Hall of Fame Executive Management Winter Meetings Hot stove league Transactions MLB Draft First year player Rule 5 MLBPA TV contracts Highest paid players Instant replay MLB logo MLB team uniforms Minor leagues History AL Seasons Tie-breakers Tie-breaking procedures Rivalries Interleague play Schedule Stadiums Civil Rights Game Jackie Robinson Day Spring training (Cactus League, Grapefruit League) Opening Day Lockouts/strikes Mascots MLB.com Timeline Timeline of Major League Baseball Current teams History of team nicknames Dead-ball era Live-ball era Relocation of the 1950s–60s Expansion 1961 1962 1969 1977 1993 1998 Commissioner: Rob Manfred League Presidents NL AL National League Organization Parent league: Major League Baseball Partner league: American League Honorary president: Bill Giles Current teams East Atlanta Braves Miami Marlins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Washington Nationals Central Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals West Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants Former, relocated, and disestablished teams 19th-century National League teams Boston Beaneaters/Braves (1883–1952) Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965) Brooklyn Dodgers (1883–1957) New York Giants (1883–1957) Houston Colt .45s/Astros (1962–2012) Montreal Expos (1969–2004) Championship play List of champions Championship Series Division Series Wild Card winners Related articles Professional baseball Sports teams based in the Washington, D.C. area Baseball MLB Washington Nationals EL Bowie Baysox CL Frederick Keys Potomac Nationals ALPB Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Basketball NBA Washington Wizards WNBA Washington Mystics Football NFL Washington Redskins AFL Washington Valor WFA D.C. Divas Hockey NHL Washington Capitals Soccer MLS D.C. United NWSL Washington Spirit Roller derby WFTDA DC Rollergirls Rugby league USA Rugby League Washington D.C. Slayers Tennis WTT Washington Kastles College athletics NCAA Div. I American Georgetown George Mason George Washington Howard Maryland Mount St. Mary's Navy NCAA Div. II UDC NCAA Div. III Catholic University Gallaudet University Marymount University See also: Sports in Washington, D.C.