SPORTS TEAM HISTORY

Sports Team HistorySports Logo History
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Sports Team History Products
STH #3 Home Header 1440x650

Washington Nationals Team History

STH Clash of Logos MLB - Banner
Washington Nationals




  • 2001
  • 2005
  • 2006
  • 2008
  • 2019
  • BBA METS BLUE JAYS

    MLB Takes Over Ownership Nationals

    Without a viable owner willing to operate the team in Montreal, it was widely thought that the sale of the Expos to MLB was the first step in the process of either moving the team or folding it all together. Although their attendance increased from 7,935 per game in 2001 to 10,031 in 2002, MLB decided that the Expos would ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Washington National Team History

    Move to Washington

    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 ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Ted Lerner - Washington Nationals

    Ted Lerner Ownership

    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 ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Nationals Park

    Nationals Park

    Finally, on March 5, Major League Baseball signed a lease for a new ballpark, agreeing to the city’s $611 million cap. MLB also agreed to contribute $20 million toward the cost of the stadium, although it did not agree to cover stadium overruns. Further, MLB added the condition that excess ballpark tax revenue earmarked for debt service for the bonds ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Washington Nationals World Series Champs 2019

    World Series Winner 2019

    The 2019 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2019 season. The 115th edition of the World Series was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League champion Houston Astros and the National League champion Washington Nationals. The series was played from October 22 to October 30. The Nationals won the series, four games to three, ...
    Read More
    See Full Story

Nationals Primary Logo
Nationals Alternate Logo
Nationals Wordmark Logo

History of the Nationals

The Washington Nationals are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in the nation’s capital. The franchise was formed in 1969 as the Montreal Expos and moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005; they have been known as the Nationals since then. In its 50-year history, the team has experienced both highs and lows. Still, it is now one of baseball's most successful franchises with three division titles, four National League East championships, and an appearance at the World Series title game 2019 season.

The first decade of existence for Montreal Expos was marked by great success on the field led by Hall of Famer Gary Carter, who won two Gold Glove Awards during his time with them from 1974-84 while also leading them to five playoff appearances over that span, including 1981 when they advanced all way to National League Championship Series only lose out eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers four games three despite having best record regular season 81 wins 59 losses. Despite this early success, however, the franchise had difficulty finding consistent winning formula afterward, missing playoffs for 18 years until 2002, when led future Hall Famer Vladimir Guerrero finished second place in NL East just behind Atlanta Braves.

Washington Nationals have become perennial contenders in recent years due essentially strong pitching staff, including Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Anibal Sanchez, and stellar lineup stars such as Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Trea Turner, Victor Robles, Howie Kendrick, among others. After failing to make the postseason in 2018 after coming within a single win and clinching a wild card spot in 2017, the Nats bounced back a year later, capturing NL Pennant before ultimately falling short of Houston Astros' games series thrilling Game Seven showdown at Minute Maid Park October 30th, 2019, crowning champions MLB world champs yet another dramatic chapter storied history Washington Nationals baseball club here stay long haul sure bring many more exciting moments to come near future fans can look forward too.

Nationals Products

New Era MLB The League 9FORTY Adjustable Hat Cap One Size Fits All (Washington Nationals Red)
4.7 out of 5 stars(2032)
Available for Amazon Prime $34.99 $22.99 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Funko Pop! MLB: Nationals - Stephen Strasburg (Home Uniform)
4.8 out of 5 stars(2633)
$12.99 $10.95 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
FOCO MLB Washington Nationals 3D BRXLZ - Mascot- Screech
4.5 out of 5 stars(155)
$23.43 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Baseball Washington DC Team, Love Baseball National Pastime T-Shirt
4.3 out of 5 stars(37)
Available for Amazon Prime $17.49 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Northwest MLB Washington Nationals Raschel Throw Blanket, 60" x 80", Strike
4.7 out of 5 stars(191)
Available for Amazon Prime $42.95 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
MLB Washington Nationals Foam Finger, New
5.0 out of 5 stars(2)
$7.98 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
MLB World Series Champions Collector's Edition 2016/2017/2018 & 2019 -Chicago Cubs/ Houston Astros/ Boston Red Sox/ Washington National [Blu-Ray]
4.0 out of 5 stars(6)
Available for Amazon Prime $34.99 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Majestic Mens MLB Washington Nationals Distinction Tee T-Shirt S/S Baseball (S) Navy
4.6 out of 5 stars(8)
$24.95 (as of December 10, 2023 17:20 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon




Established
1969

City
Montreal – Washington D.C.

League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1969 – 1999 / National League

Team History
2005 – Present / Washington Nationals
1969 – 2004 / Montreal Expos

Nickname
Nationals – Baseball fans in the nation’s capital have been cheering on the Washington Nationals since 2005, but few know that their nickname has a long and exciting history. The team's name is derived from an earlier major league baseball club founded in 1859 as part of the National Association of Baseball Players. This original incarnation of the “Nationals” competed for nearly two decades before disbanding following financial difficulties associated with America's Civil War.

In 1901, another version of this same franchise joined Major League Baseball (MLB) as a charter member under its new moniker: The Washington Senators. Over time, this team became known affectionately by locals simply as "the Nats," they continued to compete until 1960 when they were relocated to Minnesota and renamed “The Twins."

Though no professional teams were based out of D.C. between 1961-2004 due to MLB expansion rules, residents never lost their love for baseball or forgot about "the Nats." When MLB finally returned to D.C., it made perfect sense for them to rekindle this beloved nickname, thus giving birth once again to The Washington Nationals - now one of the most successful franchises in all sports!

Championship
World Series 1
2019

Stadium
2008 – Present / Nationals Park
2005 – 2007 / Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

*Montreal*
1977 – 2004 / Olympic Stadium
1969 – 1976 / Jarry Park Stadium

Owner
2006 – Present / Theodore N. Lerner
2002 – 2006 / Major League Baseball
1999 – 2002 / Jeffrey Loria
1991 – 1999 / Claude Brochu
1969 – 1991 / Charles Bronfman

Who is the greatest Washington Nationals?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Retired Number
42 / Jackie Robinson

*Blue is this team’s history

Sports News History

Sports News Worth Knowing

RSS MLB Headline News

  • MLB rumors: Dodgers still eyeing Yoshinobu Yamamoto after Shohei Ohtani, Francisco Alvarez open to extension
  • Ohtani’s new contract is just his latest feat to shock the world
  • The Dodgers needed Shohei Ohtani. They still need a few other pieces
  • 🚨 Breaking news: Ohtani gets record-shattering contract
  • Braves stay busy, land David Fletcher and Max Stassi in four-player trade with Angels, per report

Sports Market History

Sports Team Marketplace of Champions!

MLB Logo Battle

MLB Greatest Player

STH Product Sale

MLB Teams
Menu
  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Atlanta Braves
    • Milwaukee Braves
    • Boston Braves
    • Boston Bees
    • Boston Rustlers
    • Boston Doves
    • Boston Beaneaters
  • Baltimore Orioles
    • St. Louis Browns
    • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Boston Red Sox
    • Boston Americans
  • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago Orphans
  • Chicago White Sox
    • Chicago White Stockings
  • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cincinnati Redlegs
    • Cincinnati Red Stockings
  • Cleveland Guardians
    • Cleveland Indians
    • Cleveland Naps
    • Cleveland Blues
  • Colorado Rockies
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Houston Astros
    • Houston Colt 45’s
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Angels
    • Anaheim Angels
    • California Angels
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Brooklyn Dodgers
    • Brooklyn Robins
    • Brooklyn Superbas
  • Miami Marlins
    • Florida Marlins
  • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Seattle Pilots
  • Minnesota Twins
    • Washington Senators
  • New York Mets
  • New York Yankees
    • New York Highlanders
    • Baltimore Orioles
  • Oakland Athletics
    • Kansas City Athletics
    • Philadelphia Athletics
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
    • New York Giants
    • New York Gothams
  • Seattle Mariners
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Tampa Bay Devil Rays
  • Texas Rangers
    • Washington Senators
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Washington Nationals
    • Montreal Expos

STH News

Latest Sports Team History News

Scottie Pippen and His Infamous Impact on the Chicago Bulls 6 Championship Wins

December 4, 2023

The Oldest Basketball Team in the NBA: Sacramento Kings

November 30, 2023

Nick Sirianni Applauds His Eagles After Their Revenge Victory Over the Chiefs

November 27, 2023

The Evolution of the National Basketball Association: A Journey Through Time

November 15, 2023

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Sports Logo History
Sports News History
Sports Market History
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Sports Team History
© 2013 - 2023 Sports History Group LLC - All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Sports Team History Products
Available for Amazon Prime