The Washington Senators history tells the story of one of the most notable early MLB franchises. Known for its passionate fan base and tradition-rich games, the team was a cornerstone of Washington Senators baseball before relocating and becoming the Texas Rangers. Their legacy continues to shape the culture and identity of the Rangers organization today.
Established
1961
City
Washington D.C. – Dallas
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1961 – 1999 / American League
Team History
1972 – Present / Texas Rangers
1961 – 1971 / Washington Senators
Nickname
Senators – The Washington Senators were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American League from 1961 to 1971. The origin of their nickname is often debated, but there are several theories about how it came to be.
Washington Senators Origin
One popular theory is that an old baseball club inspired the name called the Washington Nationals, which existed from 1891-1899 and featured players such as Walter Johnson and Joe Judge, who would later become Hall of Famers with the Senators. Another possibility is that it was named after President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” foreign policy, referred to as “the big stick diplomacy.” This could have been interpreted at a time when many teams had military nicknames like Marines or Soldiers, so naming them after one of America's most famous presidents made sense for marketing purposes.
Regardless of its origin story, what makes this nickname unique among other MLB teams is its connection with history; not only did some very talented players come through during those years (like Harmon Killebrew), but also two World Series titles were won under this moniker in 1924 and 1925 - something no other franchise has done since then! It's easy to see why fans still remember them fondly today, although all these years since they last played ball together on Capitol Hill in '71!
Championship
World Series 0
Stadium
2014 – Present / Globe Life Park in Arlington
2007 – 2013 / Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
2004 – 2006 / Ameriquest Field in Arlington
1994 – 2004 / The Ballpark in Arlington
1972 – 1993 / Arlington Stadium
*Washington D.C.*
1962 – 1971 / RFK Stadium
1961 / Griffith Stadium
Owner
2010 – Present / Rangers Baseball Express
1998 – 2010 / Tom Hicks
1989 – 1998 / Richard Rainwater and George W. Bush
1980 – 1989 / Eddie Chiles
1974 – 1980 / Brad Corbett
1968 – 1974 / Bob Short
1967 – 1968 / James Lemon
1963 – 1967 / James Johnson & James Lemon
1961 – 1963 / Elwood Richard Quesada
- 1961
- 1971
-
Washington Senators Team Formation
This new team adopted the old Senators name, but was (and still is) considered an expansion team since the Twins retained the old Senators’ records and history. The Senators and Angels began to fill their rosters with American League players in an expansion draft. The team played the 1961 season at old Griffith Stadium before moving to District of Columbia ... -
Heading to Texas
Short was especially receptive to an offer brought up by Arlington, Texas mayor Tom Vandergriff, who had been trying to obtain a Major League sports team to play in the Metroplex for over a decade. Years earlier, Charles O. Finley, the owner of the Kansas City Athletics, sought to relocate his baseball team to Dallas, Texas, but the idea was ...
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.
Washington Senators History
The Washington Senators history, now linked to the Texas Rangers, represents an important chapter in Washington Senators baseball. The team played in Major League Baseball from 1961 to 1971, calling Robert F. Kennedy Stadium (formerly District of Columbia Stadium) home. During this decade, the Senators experienced both highs and lows in the nation’s capital before relocating to Texas after the 1971 season due to poor performance and declining attendance.
The 1961 inaugural season for this new franchise ended with a 61–100 record, placing them 8th out of 10 teams in the American League—hardly an ideal beginning for the Washington Senators baseball journey. Improvement did come, however, and by 1965 they had risen to 4th place with an 83–79 record under manager Gil Hodges. Despite better results on the field, average attendance hovered at only 12,000 per game throughout the decade. This ultimately led the ownership group to move the club away from Washington, closing this chapter of the Washington Senators history.
There were still memorable highlights for fans of Washington Senators baseball, such as Frank Howard hitting his 100th career home run in a Senators uniform in 1964. Another milestone came in May 1969, when Don Lock earned the American League Pitcher of the Month award, reflecting the team’s flashes of individual excellence during its short tenure in D.C.
Senators Achievements
Although the franchise relocated and became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 campaign, the Washington Senators history laid a strong foundation for the team’s future. In Arlington, the franchise went on to win multiple American League pennants (2010 and 2011) and build a competitive roster that frequently reached the postseason, reflecting a new era of success born from its Washington Senators baseball roots.
Today, the legacy of the Washington Senators history continues to resonate with fans who followed the team in Washington. The achievements of legendary players like Frank Howard and the team’s resilience during a challenging decade remain a celebrated part of MLB lore. The Rangers’ modern success stands as a tribute to the tradition and perseverance that began during the original years of the Washington Senators baseball franchise.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
7 / Ivan Rodríguez
10 / Michael Young
26 / Johnny Oates
29 / Adrian Beltre
34 / Nolan Ryan
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history