- 1961
- 1971
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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 ...
History of the Senators
The Washington Senators were a Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1971. During this period, the team was based in Washington, D.C., and played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium (formerly the District of Columbia Stadium). The Senators had some highs and lows during their ten-year tenure in the nation's capital, but ultimately they moved to Texas after the 1971 season due to poor performance on the field and dwindling fan support.
The 1961 inaugural season for the new franchise saw them finish with a record of 61-100, good enough for 8th place out of 10 teams in American League standings that year – not exactly an impressive start! However, things improved slightly over time; by 1965, they had climbed up to 4th place with an 83-79 record under manager Gil Hodges’ leadership. Unfortunately, it wasn't all good news; attendance figures remained low despite these improvements on the field - averaging just 12 thousand per game throughout the entire decade – which eventually led the ownership group to move away from DC following the 1970 campaign.
Despite lackluster results overall, there were some memorable moments during this period, such as Frank Howard becoming the first player hit his 100th career home run while wearing a Senator uniform back in 1964 or when Don Lock won the AL Pitcher Month award in May 1969.
Ultimately though, it wasn't enough to keep the club afloat, so after the 71' campaign came end road DC; instead, the organization changed its name to “Texas Rangers” and relocated to Arlington, where it would remain ever since then, becoming one of the most successful franchises leagues today! It may have been sad to see go, especially for those who followed faithfully through a decade-long stay city but without a doubt, an essential part of baseball history forever is remembered fondly by fans everywhere.
Senators Products
Texas Rangers 2023 World Champions House Banner Flag
Adolis Garcia - El Bombi - Texas Baseball T-Shirt
Rico Industries MLB Texas Rangers Model 3Men's Watch, Black, One Size
OuterStuff Adolis Garcia Texas Rangers MLB Kids Youth 8-20 Blue Alternate Player Jersey (14-16)
Texas Rangers World 2023 Champions 3x5 Flag
Franklin Sports Texas Rangers MLB Team Baseball - MLB Team Logo Soft Baseballs - Toy Baseball for Kids - Great Decoration for Desks and Office
Rawlings MLB Texas Rangers Team Logo Baseball, Official, White
MLB Texas Rangers Men's Clean Up Cap, Red
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.
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
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
7 / Ivan Rodríguez
10 / Michael Young
26 / Johnny Oates
29 / Adrian Beltre
34 / Nolan Ryan
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history
