Washington Nationals

This article is about the current Major League Baseball team. For other uses, see Washington Nationals (disambiguation).

Washington Nationals
2015 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
Scarlet, Navy Blue, White
Name
Washington Nationals (2005–present) Montreal Expos (1969–2004)
Other nicknames
Nats
Ballpark
Nationals Park (2008–present) Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (2005–2007) Olympic Stadium (1977–2004) Hiram Bithorn Stadium (2003–2004) Jarry Park Stadium (1969–1976)
Major league titles
East Division titles (3)	2014 2012 1981
Front office
Owner(s)	Ted Lerner
Manager	Matt Williams
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 are a member of the East division of the National League (NL) in Major League Baseball (MLB). From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadium; since 2008 their home stadium has been Nationals Park, located on South Capitol Street in Southeast D.C., near the Anacostia River.

The Nationals' name derives from the former Washington baseball team that had the same name (used interchangeably with Senators). Their nickname is "the Nats"—a shortened version that was also used by the old D.C. teams.

An expansion franchise, the club was founded in 1969 as the Montreal Expos, the first major league team in Canada. They were based in Montreal, Quebec, 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 club 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. 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 second Washington Senators moved to Arlington, Texas, and became the Texas Rangers in 1972.

The Nationals are one of two franchises, and the only one in the National League, that has never played in a World Series (the American League's Seattle Mariners are the other).

History

Montreal Expos

Main article: 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. 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. 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, 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. Subsequently, the Boston Red Sox were sold to a partnership led by John W. Henry, owner of the Florida Marlins. 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. However, as the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, operator of the Metrodome, won an injunction requiring the Twins to play there in 2002, MLB was unable to revoke the Twins franchise, and so had to keep 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.

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, Oklahoma; 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 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.

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

Main article: History of Washington, D.C. professional baseball

Numerous professional baseball teams have called Washington, D.C. home. The Washington Senators, a founding member of the American League, played in the nation's capital from 1901 to 1960 before moving to Minnesota and becoming the Twins. These Senators were owned by Clark Griffith and played in Griffith Stadium. With notable stars including Walter Johnson and Joe Cronin, the Senators won the 1924 World Series and pennants in 1925 and 1933, but were more often unsuccessful and moved to Minnesota for the 1961 season where the team was renamed the Minnesota Twins. A second Washington Senators team (1961–1971) had a winning record only once in their 11 years, though bright spots, such as slugger Frank Howard, earned the love of fans. The second Senators team moved to Arlington, Texas, for the 1972 season and changed their name to the Texas Rangers, and Washington spent the next 33 years without a baseball team.

Although there was some sentiment to revive the name Senators, political considerations factored into the choice of Nationals, a revival of the first American League franchise's "official" nickname used from 1905 to 1956. 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. In addition, the Rangers still owned the rights to the Senators name, although the Nationals were able to acquire the rights to the curly "W" 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," which had been the official name of the American League's Washington Senators from 1905-1956.

Washington Nationals

Main article: History of the Washington Nationals

Washington 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.

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

People of note

Managers

Manager	Time period	Regular season				Post-season				Totals
		Wins	Losses	Win %	Best finish	Wins	Losses	Win %	Post-season	Wins	Losses	Win %
Frank Robinson	2005–2006	152	172	7001469000000000000♠46.9%		0	0	—	Never made post-season	152	172	7001469000000000000♠46.9%
Manny Acta	2007–2009	158	252	7001385000000000000♠38.5%		0	0	—	Never made post-season	158	252	7001385000000000000♠38.5%
Jim Riggleman	2009–2011	140	172	7001449000000000000♠44.9%		0	0	—	Never made post-season	140	172	7001449000000000000♠44.9%
John McLaren (interim)	2011	2	1	7001667000000000000♠66.7%		0	0	—	Never made post-season	2	1	7001667000000000000♠66.7%
Davey Johnson	2011–2013	224	183	7001550000000000000♠55%		2	3	40%	2012	226	186	7001549000000000000♠54.9%
Matt Williams	2014–	96	66	7001580000000000000♠58%					2014

Broadcasters

Main article: List of Washington Nationals 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

Washington Nationals roster
Active roster				Inactive roster		Coaches/Other
Pitchers Starting rotation 47 Gio Gonzalez 41 Joe Ross 31 Max Scherzer 37 Stephen Strasburg 27 Jordan Zimmermann Bullpen 69 A. J. Cole 33 Doug Fister 60 Matt Grace 44 Casey Janssen 38 Taylor Jordan 52 Rafael Martin 73 Felipe Rivero 57 Tanner Roark 36 Sammy Solis 22 Drew Storen 46 Matt Thornton 64 Blake Treinen Closer 58 Jonathan Papelbon		Catchers 59 José Lobatón 40 Wilson Ramos 23 Pedro Severino Infielders 20 Ian Desmond  5 Yunel Escobar  8 Danny Espinosa 12 Tyler Moore  6 Anthony Rendon 25 Clint Robinson  7 Trea Turner 26 Dan Uggla 11 Ryan Zimmerman Outfielders 21 Matt den Dekker 34 Bryce Harper  3 Michael Taylor 28 Jayson Werth		Pitchers 51 Erik Davis 62 Abel De Los Santos 55 Taylor Hill Infielders  1 Wilmer Difo Outfielders 67 Brian Goodwin  2 Denard Span		Manager  9 Matt Williams Coaches 14 Bob Henley (third base) 53 Randy Knorr (bench) 24 Matt LeCroy (bullpen) 54 Steve McCatty (pitching) 39 Rick Schu (hitting) 32 Tony Tarasco (first base) 49 Mark Weidemaier (defensive positioning) 60-day disabled list 30 Aaron Barrett 48 David Carpenter  4 Reed Johnson 15 Nate McLouth 35 Craig Stammen 34 active, 6 inactive 7- or 15-day disabled list † Suspended list # Personal leave Roster and coaches updated September 11, 2015 Transactions • Depth chart → All MLB rosters

Baseball Hall of Famers

Washington Nationals Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Montreal Expos Gary Carter Andre Dawson Randy Johnson Pedro Martínez Tony Pérez Dick Williams2 Washington Nationals Frank Robinson1 Players listed in bold are depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Expos or Nationals cap insignia. 1 – inducted as player; managed Expos/Nationals 2 - inducted as manager, also played for Expos/Nationals or was manager

Ford C. Frick Award

Washington Nationals Ford C. Frick Award recipients
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Tom Cheek Dave Van Horne Names in bold received the award based primarily on their work as broadcasters for the Expos or Nationals.

Retired numbers

Jackie Robinson 2B Retired 1997

See also: List of Major League Baseball retired numbers

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. Following the move to Washington, D.C., the numbers (except 42) were returned to circulation and remained in use at least through the conclusion of the 2013 season, although the "Team History" section of the Nationals' website continues to refer to the numbers as "retired." After the Expos' departure from Montreal, the 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" at Nationals Park to honor Major League Baseball Hall of Fame members from the Washington Nationals, original Washington Senators (1901-1960), expansion Washington Senators (1961-1971), Homestead Grays, and Montreal Expos. The ring includes:

Homestead Grays

• Cool Papa Bell, center fielder, 1932 and 1943-1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Ray Brown, pitcher, 1932-1945 and 1947-1948 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Josh Gibson, catcher, 1937-1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Buck Leonard, first baseman, 1934-1950 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Cumberland Posey, player, manager, owner, and club official, 1911-1946 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Jud Wilson, third baseman, 1931-1932 and 1940-1945 (admitted August 10, 2010)

Montreal Expos

• Gary Carter, catcher, 1974-1984 and 1992 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Andre Dawson, center fielder, 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, catcher, 1928-1934 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Rick Ferrell, catcher, 1937-1941, 1944-1945, and 1947 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Goose Goslin, left fielder, 1921-1930, 1933, and 1938 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Clark Griffith, pitcher, 1912-1914; owner, 1920-1955 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Bucky Harris, second baseman, 1919-1928; manager, 1924–1928, 1935–1942, and 1950–1954 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Walter Johnson, pitcher, 1907-1927 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Harmon Killebrew, first baseman, 1954-1960 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Heinie Manush, left fielder, 1930-1935 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Sam Rice, right fielder, 1915-1933 (admitted August 10, 2010)
• Early Wynn, pitcher, 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)

Fans and attendance

"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.

Nationals Stadium had the 12th highest average of attendance among baseball stadiums in 2014, with a total of 2,579,389 fans attending home games for an average of 31,844 per game.

Crowds in Nationals Stadium are known to be quieter and more subdued than in other stadiums. "If you are going to a game and are a fan of an opposing team you will not be harassed," wrote one visitor on TripAdvisor. "DC has a reputation as a very educated and wealthy city and their fans are not going to harass you like they would in other East Coast cities."

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. 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.

Season standings

Main article: List of Washington Nationals seasons

Standings updated on October 1, 2014

MLB season	Team season	League	Division	Regular season					Post-season	Awards
				Finish	Wins	Losses	Win%	GB
2005	2005	NL	East	5th	81	81	.500	9		Chad Cordero—Rolaids Relief Man
2006	2006	NL	East	5th	71	91	.438	26		Alfonso Soriano—Silver Slugger
2007	2007	NL	East	4th	73	89	.451	18		Dmitri Young—Comeback Player of Year
2008	2008	NL	East	5th	59	102	.366	32½
2009	2009	NL	East	5th	59	103	.364	34		Ryan Zimmerman—Gold Glove and Silver Slugger
2010	2010	NL	East	5th	69	93	.426	28		Ryan Zimmerman—Silver Slugger
2011	2011	NL	East	3rd	80	81	.497	21½
2012	2012	NL	East	1st	98	64	.604	—	Won NL East Division by 4 games; lost NLDS 2–3	Adam LaRoche—Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Ian Desmond—Silver Slugger Stephen Strasburg—Silver Slugger Bryce Harper—National League Rookie of the Year Davey Johnson—National League Manager of the Year
2013	2013	NL	East	2nd	86	76	.531	10		Ian Desmond—Silver Slugger
2014	2014	NL	East	1st	96	66	.593	—	Won NL East Division by 17 games; lost NLDS 1–3	Ian Desmond—Silver Slugger Anthony Rendon—Silver Slugger Wilson Ramos—Tony Conigliaro Award Matt Williams—National League Manager of the Year

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

Minor league affiliations

Level	Team	League	Location
AAA	Syracuse Chiefs	International League	Syracuse, New York
AA	Harrisburg Senators	Eastern League	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Advanced A	Potomac Nationals	Carolina League	Woodbridge, Virginia
A	Hagerstown Suns	South Atlantic League	Hagerstown, Maryland
Short Season A	Auburn Doubledays	New York–Penn League	Auburn, New York
Rookie	GCL Nationals	Gulf Coast League	Viera, Florida
	DSL Nationals	Dominican Summer League	Dominican Republic

Former affiliates

Level	League	Team (Seasons)
AAA	International League	Columbus Clippers (2007–08) New Orleans Zephyrs (2005–06) Edmonton Trappers (2003–04) Ottawa Lynx (1993-2002) Indianapolis Indians (1984-92) Wichita Aeros (1982–83) Denver Bears (1976-81) Memphis Blues (1974–75) Peninsula Whips (1972-73) Winnipeg Whips (1971) Buffalo Bisons (1970) Vancouver Mounties (1969)
AA	Southern League	Jacksonville Suns (1984–1990) Memphis Chicks (1978–83) Quebec Metros (1976-77) Quebec Carnavals (1971–75) Jacksonville Suns (1970)
A	California League	San Jose Expos (1982)
	Carolina League	Kinston Expos (1974)
	Florida State League	Brevard County Manatees (2002–04) Jupiter Hammerheads (1998–2001) West Palm Beach Expos (1969-1997)
	Midwest League	Clinton Lumber Kings (2001–02) Burlington Expos (1993-94) Rockford Expos (1988–92) Burlington Bees (1986-87)
	South Atlantic League	Savannah Sand Gnats (2003–06) Cape Fear Crocs (1997–2000) Delmarva Shorebirds (1996) Albany Polecats (1995) Albany Polecats (1992) Sumter Flyers (1991) Gastonia Expos (1983-84)
Short Season A	New York-Penn League	Vermont Expos/Lake Monsters (1977–2010) Jamestown Expos (1973)
	Northern League	Watertown Expos (1970–71)

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.

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." 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."

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 until a multi-year agreement was reached between the Nationals and WJFK before the 2011 season. 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.

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. Bob Carpenter is the TV play-by-play announcer and F.P. Santangelo was hired in January 2011 as color analyst. 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. Ray Knight and Johnny Holliday host the postgame show "Nats Xtra". Knight filled in as color analyst in September 2010 after Dibble was fired.

TV ratings were among the worst in the league as of July 2008 but increased during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

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.

Footnotes

1. ^a RFK Stadium Fast Facts

References

External links

• 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	National League Eastern Division Champions 1981 (as Montreal Expos) 2012 2014	Succeeded by St. Louis Cardinals Atlanta Braves Incumbent