History of Washington Nationals in Timeline

The Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball team, are based in Washington, D.C., and play in the National League East Division. Their home stadium, Nationals Park, is situated on South Capitol Street in the Navy Yard neighborhood, overlooking the Anacostia River.

1901: New Washington Senators Join American League

In 1901, a new Washington Senators franchise was established as a charter member of the newly formed American League.

1901: The Original Washington Nationals are Founded

The first Washington Nationals baseball team was founded in 1901, originally as the Washington Senators.

1905: Senators Officially Become the Nationals

The Washington Senators baseball team underwent a name change in 1905, officially becoming the Washington Nationals.

1912: Short-Lived Washington Senators Join United States Baseball League

A third Washington Senators team emerged in 1912 as part of the United States Baseball League, but both the team and the league folded after just a month.

1955: Nationals Revert to Senators

After 50 years as the Nationals, the Washington baseball team reverted to their previous name, the Senators in 1955.

1956: Senators Era Ends, for Now

In 1956, the Washington Senators, formerly known as the Nationals, ceased to exist, marking the end of an era for the franchise.

1960: Senators Move to Minnesota, Become the Twins

The Washington Senators franchise relocated to Minneapolis after the 1960 season, becoming the Minnesota Twins.

1961: Washington Awarded Expansion Team

Following the departure of the Senators, Washington, D.C., was awarded an expansion team in 1961, marking the return of Major League Baseball to the city.

1969: Birth of the Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos were established in 1969 as part of Major League Baseball's expansion, becoming the first MLB team in Canada.

1969: Montreal Expos Join MLB as Expansion Team

The Montreal Expos, named after the Expo 67 World's Fair, were founded in 1969 as one of four expansion teams in Major League Baseball.

1971: The Last Washington Senators Move to Texas

In 1971, the Washington Senators baseball team relocated to Arlington, Texas, marking the end of the franchise's time in Washington, D.C. and the beginning of the Texas Rangers.

1976: Felipe Alou Joins Expos Organization

Felipe Alou became a member of the Montreal Expos organization in 1976, marking the beginning of his long association with the team.

1976: Montreal Hosts the Summer Olympics

The city of Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics in 1976, with the Olympic Stadium later becoming the home of the Montreal Expos.

1977: Expos Move to Olympic Stadium

In 1977, the Montreal Expos moved into their new home at Olympic Stadium, which was constructed for the 1976 Summer Olympics.

1981: Expos Win Only Division Championship in Strike-Shortened Season

The Montreal Expos achieved a significant milestone in the strike-shortened 1981 season by winning their only division championship, but their season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

1982: Expos Begin Period of Middle-of-the-Pack Finishes

From 1982 to 1990, the Montreal Expos experienced a period of mediocrity, consistently finishing in the middle of the National League East standings.

1985: Buck Rodgers Takes Helm as Expos Manager

The Montreal Expos appointed Buck Rodgers as their manager before the start of the 1985 season, marking the beginning of his tenure with the team.

1987: Expos Achieve Winning Record Under Rodgers

Under the guidance of manager Buck Rodgers, the Montreal Expos achieved a winning record in the 1987 season.

1990: Expos' Period of Middling Finishes Concludes

The Montreal Expos' streak of consistently finishing in the middle of the National League East standings came to an end in 1990.

1991: Expos Undergo Ownership Change

The Montreal Expos underwent an ownership change in 1991, with Claude Brochu becoming the managing general partner.

May 1992: Felipe Alou Makes History as Expos Manager

In May 1992, the Montreal Expos appointed Felipe Alou as their manager, making him the first Dominican-born manager in Major League Baseball history.

1994: Expos' Season Cut Short by Strike

The Montreal Expos, poised for a successful season with a talented roster, had their 1994 campaign cut short by the Major League Baseball strike.

1997: Jackie Robinson's Number 42 Retired Across MLB

Jackie Robinson's number 42 was retired across all of Major League Baseball in 1997.

1999: Jeffrey Loria Acquires Control of Expos

Jeffrey Loria took control of the Montreal Expos in 1999, but his tenure as owner was marked by financial challenges and difficulties in securing a new ballpark.

2000: Expos Face Media Coverage Challenges

The Montreal Expos faced challenges in media coverage during the 2000 season due to Jeffrey Loria's failure to secure television and English radio broadcast contracts.

November 2001: MLB Owners Vote to Contract Two Teams

In a controversial move, Major League Baseball owners voted 28-2 in November 2001 to contract two teams, with the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins reportedly being the targets.

August 2002: New Collective Bargaining Agreement Prohibits Contraction

A new collective bargaining agreement signed between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association in August 2002 prohibited team contraction until the end of the contract in 2006.

September 29, 2004: Expos to Move to Washington, D.C.

Major League Baseball officially announced on September 29, 2004, that the Montreal Expos would relocate to Washington, D.C., for the 2005 season, bringing professional baseball back to the nation's capital.

November 21, 2004: Nationals Team Name Revealed

On November 21, 2004, the Washington Nationals' management revealed the team's name after considering options like the "Washington Grays". They also unveiled the team's official colors: red, white, and blue.

2004: Washington, D.C. Wins the Expos Bid

In 2004, Major League Baseball owners chose Washington, D.C. as the new home for the Montreal Expos, paving the way for the return of baseball to the nation's capital.

April 4, 2005: First Game as the Washington Nationals

On April 4, 2005, the Washington Nationals played their inaugural game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, resulting in an 8-4 loss.

2005: Mel Proctor and Ron Darling as Broadcasters

Mel Proctor served as the TV play-by-play announcer and Ron Darling as the color analyst for the Nationals during the 2005 season.

2005: Expos Move to Washington, D.C.

The Montreal Expos officially relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2005, ushering in a new era for baseball in the nation's capital.

2005: Nationals Inherit Rivalry with Phillies

The Nationals inherited the Montreal Expos' rivalry with the Philadelphia Phillies upon relocating to Washington, D.C., in 2005. The rivalry intensified due to the geographical proximity of the two cities.

2005: WWZZ Becomes the Nationals' First Flagship Radio Station

WWZZ (104.1 FM) served as the Washington Nationals' first flagship radio station during the 2005 season.

2005: Expos Renamed Washington Nationals

When the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, D.C. in 2005, they were renamed the Washington Nationals, reviving a historical name from the city's baseball past.

2005: WDCA Carries Nationals Games

With MASN still negotiating cable carriage in 2005, WDCA (channel 20) broadcast 76 Nationals games.

2006: Bob Carpenter Becomes TV Play-by-Play Announcer

Bob Carpenter joined the Nationals' broadcast team as the TV play-by-play announcer in 2006.

2006: Contraction No Longer on the Agenda

By 2006, the threat of team contraction had subsided. The Montreal Expos had become the Washington Nationals, and the Minnesota Twins were making progress toward building a new stadium.

2006: Ted Lerner and "The Plan"

In 2006, Ted Lerner took ownership of the Washington Nationals and appointed Stan Kasten as team president, initiating a long-term rebuilding strategy known as "The Plan." This involved prioritizing the farm system and draft to cultivate a strong team for their new stadium.

2006: Nationals and Orioles Establish Annual Beltway Series

Since 2006, the Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles have played two regular-season series against each other annually, one in each team's home city, as part of the Beltway Series rivalry.

2006: Nationals Partner with WFED as Flagship Radio Station

WFED (1500 AM) became the flagship radio station for the Nationals in the 2006 season.

2007: Don Sutton as Color Analyst

Don Sutton worked as the color analyst for the Nationals from 2007 to 2008.

March 30, 2008: Nationals Park Opens

On March 30, 2008, the Washington Nationals inaugurated Nationals Park with their first home game, a nationally televised event on ESPN. President George W. Bush threw the ceremonial first pitch, and Ryan Zimmerman secured a win for the Nationals with a walk-off home run.

July 2008: Nationals' TV Ratings Among Worst in National League

The Nationals experienced some of the lowest television ratings in the National League in July 2008, coinciding with a season where they finished with the worst record in MLB.

2008: Don Sutton as Color Analyst

Don Sutton worked as the color analyst for the Nationals from 2007 to 2008.

2009: MASN Starts Syndicating Games for Over-the-Air Broadcast

From 2009 to 2017, MASN syndicated a package of 20 games annually for simulcast on local over-the-air television stations in Washington.

2009: Rob Dibble Becomes Color Analyst and Over-the-Air Game Syndication Begins

Rob Dibble took over as the color analyst for the Nationals in 2009, the same year MASN began syndicating games for over-the-air broadcast.

2009: Nationals Unveil New Road, Alternate Uniforms

The Washington Nationals debuted new road and red alternate uniforms for the 2009 season. These uniforms featured a script "Washington" and a "curly W" logo, respectively, and a new "DC" sleeve patch.

2009: Nationals Unveil Navy Alternate Uniform for Independence Day Week

The Washington Nationals introduced a navy alternate uniform specifically for games during Independence Day week in 2009. This uniform featured the "interlocking DC" logo in a Stars and Stripes motif.

2009: Stephen Strasburg Drafted

The Washington Nationals selected pitcher Stephen Strasburg as the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.

2009: Nationals Select Stephen Strasburg First Overall

With the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft, the Washington Nationals selected star pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

August 10, 2010: Nationals Park Unveils "Ring of Honor"

Nationals Park introduced a "Ring of Honor" on August 10, 2010, dedicated to honoring National Baseball Hall of Fame members who had significant tenures with Washington, D.C. baseball teams, including the Washington Nationals, the original Washington Senators (1901-1960), the expansion Washington Senators (1961-1971), the Homestead Grays, and the Montreal Expos.

September 2010: Rob Dibble Fired as Color Analyst

Rob Dibble, the Nationals' color analyst, was fired in September 2010 following criticism of Stephen Strasburg for not pitching while injured.

2010: Bryce Harper Drafted, Last Place Finishes, and the Foundation for a Contender

By 2010, the Washington Nationals had finished in last place for four of the past five seasons. However, during this period, they began to build the foundation for a contender with high draft picks. This included selecting pitcher Stephen Strasburg first overall in 2009, catcher Bryce Harper (later an outfielder) first overall in 2010, and infielder Anthony Rendon sixth overall in 2011.

2010: Bryce Harper Becomes a National

In 2010, the Washington Nationals used their second consecutive first overall pick to draft outfielder Bryce Harper.

2010: Nationals' TV Ratings Begin to Increase

The Nationals saw an improvement in their television ratings during the 2010 season.

January 2011: F.P. Santangelo Joins as Color Analyst

F.P. Santangelo was hired as the color analyst for Nationals broadcasts in January 2011.

August 1, 2011: Miracle Field Opens in Germantown

On August 1, 2011, the Nationals foundation opened Miracle Field, a specially designed field with cushioned turf to provide a safe playing surface for children with disabilities, in Germantown, Maryland.

2011: Strasburg Debuts, Werth Signed

In 2011, Stephen Strasburg made his highly anticipated Major League debut for the Washington Nationals, striking out 14 batters against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Nationals also signed Jayson Werth to their first major free-agent contract.

2011: Nationals Switch to WJFK as Flagship Radio Station

The Nationals signed a multi-year agreement with WJFK before the 2011 season, making it their new flagship radio station, while WFED remained as an affiliate.

2011: Nationals' TV Ratings Continue to Rise

The Nationals' television ratings continued their upward trend during the 2011 season.

2011: Nationals Introduce New Uniforms with "Curly W" Emphasis

The Washington Nationals released a new uniform set in 2011, emphasizing the "curly W" logo on the home and alternate jerseys while eliminating gold accents.

2011: Nationals Update Independence Day Uniform with "Curly W"

The Washington Nationals updated their Independence Day uniform in 2011 to feature the "curly W" logo in a Stars and Stripes design and removed gold accents.

2012: Nationals' TV Viewership Grows with On-Field Success

As the Nationals began to consistently perform well on the field starting in 2012, their television viewership saw substantial and continuous growth.

2012: Nationals Secure First Playoff Berth and Division Title

The Washington Nationals achieved a significant milestone in 2012 by securing their first-ever playoff berth and winning their first division title.

2012: First Playoff Berth and Division Title

The Washington Nationals clinched their first playoff berth and division title in 2012. Bryce Harper was named NL Rookie of the Year, becoming the youngest player to receive the award. The team's season ended with a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

2012: WDCW Concludes Broadcasting Nationals Games

WDCW (channel 50) stopped broadcasting Nationals games after the 2012 season.

2013: WUSA Begins Broadcasting Nationals Games

CBS affiliate WUSA (channel 9) took over the over-the-air broadcasts of Nationals games from 2013 through 2017.

2013: Nationals Add Red Cap to Uniform Set

In 2013, the Washington Nationals expanded their uniform options by introducing a new red cap featuring a navy brim. This cap complemented their existing red alternate uniforms.

2013: Matt Williams Becomes Manager

The Washington Nationals missed the playoffs in 2013 and subsequently hired Matt Williams as their new manager.

2014: Second Division Title and Trea Turner Trade

In 2014, the Washington Nationals rebounded to win their second division title but were eliminated in the NLDS by the San Francisco Giants. The team also made a significant trade, acquiring shortstop prospect Trea Turner from the San Diego Padres.

2014: Nationals Win Second NL East Title

The Washington Nationals won their second National League East title in 2014.

2015: Max Scherzer Signing and Harper's MVP Season

The Washington Nationals signed pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million contract in 2015. Bryce Harper had a historic offensive season, becoming the youngest unanimous NL MVP. Despite this, the Nationals missed the playoffs, leading to Matt Williams's firing.

August 2016: Nationals Park Expands "Ring of Honor" Criteria

In August 2016, the Washington Nationals expanded the eligibility criteria for their "Ring of Honor" at Nationals Park. The updated criteria removed the requirement for inductees to be members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, opening up the honor to individuals who have made significant contributions to baseball in Washington, D.C. Frank Howard became the first inductee under this revised criteria.

2016: Dusty Baker Era Begins

Dusty Baker took over as manager of the Washington Nationals in 2016, leading the team back to the playoffs. Their season ended in the NLDS with a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2016: Nationals Achieve Third NL East Title

For the third time, the Washington Nationals were crowned champions of the National League East in 2016.

2016: Nationals Achieve 15th Highest Prime-Time TV Ratings

The Nationals' prime-time television ratings reached the 15th highest among the 29 U.S. MLB teams in 2016.

2016: Nationals Change Cap for Independence Day Uniform

The Washington Nationals modified their Independence Day uniform in 2016 by switching to a navy cap with a red brim, featuring the "curly W" in the Stars and Stripes design.

February 28, 2017: Nationals Play First Game at New Spring Training Facility

The Nationals played their first Grapefruit League game at their new spring training facility, the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, on February 28, 2017.

August 28, 2017: Tim Raines Induction Ceremony

On August 28, 2017, former Montreal Expo Tim Raines was inducted into the Nationals Ring of Honor. While some fans appreciated the acknowledgment of the franchise's Montreal roots, others, including some Expos fans, saw it as an attempt to co-opt Expos history.

2017: Nationals Clinch Fourth NL East Title in Six Seasons

Continuing their dominant run, the Washington Nationals clinched their fourth National League East title in a span of six seasons in 2017.

2017: MASN Ends Over-the-Air Game Syndication

MASN discontinued its practice of syndicating games for over-the-air broadcast after the 2017 season.

2017: Nationals' TV Ratings Climb to 12th Highest

The Nationals continued to climb the ranks in terms of TV viewership, reaching the 12th highest prime-time ratings among U.S. MLB teams in 2017.

2017: NL East Title and Baker's Departure

The Washington Nationals secured the NL East title in 2017 but faced another NLDS elimination, this time against the Chicago Cubs. Dusty Baker's contract was not renewed following the season's end.

2017: Nationals Introduce White "Stars and Stripes" Alternate Uniform

The Washington Nationals unveiled a white version of their "Stars and Stripes" alternate uniform in 2017, paired with a navy-brimmed red cap featuring the "curly W" in a Stars and Stripes pattern.

February 16, 2018: Spring Training Facility Renamed FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

The Nationals and Astros signed a 12-year naming rights deal with FITTEAM on February 16, 2018, renaming their shared spring training facility FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

September 8, 2018: Jayson Werth Inducted into Ring of Honor

On September 8, 2018, Jayson Werth, who played for the Nationals from 2011 to 2017, became the first player inducted into the Ring of Honor specifically for his contributions to the Washington Nationals.

2018: MASN Ends Over-the-Air Game Syndication

MASN discontinued its practice of syndicating games for over-the-air broadcast after the 2017 season.

2018: All-Star Game at Nationals Park and Soto's Debut

The 2018 MLB All-Star Game was held at Nationals Park. This season also marked Juan Soto's impressive debut, with the 19-year-old finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. However, the Nationals fell short of expectations and missed the playoffs. Bryce Harper departed in free agency, signing with the rival Philadelphia Phillies.

2018: Nationals Experience a Decline in TV Ratings

The Nationals saw their television ratings drop to 18th among the 29 U.S. teams in the 2018 season.

2018: Nationals Introduce Navy Alternate Uniform

The Washington Nationals introduced a navy alternate uniform in 2018, featuring a script "Nationals" wordmark in white with red trim and red numbers.

July 6, 2019: Nationals Wear Expos Throwback Jerseys, Gomes Wears Retired Number

The Washington Nationals wore Montreal Expos throwback jerseys on July 6, 2019. Catcher Yan Gomes wore his usual number 10 during the game, despite the number being retired by the Expos in honor of Andre Dawson and Rusty Staub.

2019: Bryce Harper Signs with Phillies, Nationals Win World Series

Bryce Harper's decision to sign a lucrative contract with the Phillies in 2019 further fueled the rivalry. Ironically, the Nationals went on to win the World Series that year, the first season after Harper's departure.

2019: Nationals Stop Limiting Independence Day Uniform to Specific Week

By 2019, the Washington Nationals had ceased to restrict the use of their Independence Day uniform to just Independence Day week, making it available for wear on other occasions.

2019: Rendon Departs, Strasburg Re-signs

Following their World Series victory, the Washington Nationals saw Anthony Rendon depart in free agency, signing with the Los Angeles Angels. In contrast, they re-signed Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year, $245 million contract.

2019: Nationals Capture First World Series Championship

In a thrilling World Series matchup, the Washington Nationals, entering as a Wild Card team, defeated the Houston Astros in seven games to secure their first-ever World Series championship in 2019.

2019: World Series Champions

The Washington Nationals defied the odds in 2019, overcoming a slow start to win the World Series. They secured a Wild Card spot with a 93-69 record, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs. In the World Series, they triumphed over the Houston Astros in seven games, marking their first championship title. Notably, no team won a home game during this World Series, with the road team winning all seven games. The Nationals also made history as the first team to win all five elimination games, all in come-from-behind fashion. Stephen Strasburg was named World Series MVP.

2020: Nationals Wear Gold-Accented Uniforms, Debut Script White Alternates

For most of the shortened 2020 season, the Washington Nationals donned gold-accented versions of their new white uniforms and all-red caps with the gold "curly W" logo to commemorate their World Series victory. The script white alternates debuted in the last regular season home game on September 27 against the New York Mets, paired with the "Capitol W" cap and red "curly W" batting helmets.

2020: Nationals Add White Alternate Uniform and "Capitol W" Cap

In 2020, the Washington Nationals expanded their uniform collection with a white version of their navy alternate uniform, this time featuring the script "Nationals" wordmark in navy with red trim. They also introduced two alternate caps: one navy with a white "Capitol W" and one red with a navy "pitcher W." However, only the "Capitol W" cap was ever used.

2020: Pandemic Season Struggles

The COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 MLB season to 60 games. The Washington Nationals struggled during this period, finishing with a 26-34 record and missing the playoffs.

2021: Rebuilding Begins, Zimmerman Retires

After a disappointing start to the 2021 season, the Washington Nationals initiated a rebuilding phase, trading key players like Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects. Franchise icon Ryan Zimmerman, with the team since its inception in 2005, announced his retirement, marking the end of an era.

2021: Nationals Continue to Wear White Alternates with Primary Red Cap

The Washington Nationals continued to wear their white alternate uniforms with the primary red "curly W" cap in 2021, though the alternate "Capitol W" cap was still occasionally used.

June 18, 2022: Nationals Retire Ryan Zimmerman's Number 11

The Washington Nationals retired Ryan Zimmerman's number 11 on June 18, 2022, marking the first number retirement in the team's history.

August 2, 2022: Juan Soto Traded

On August 2, 2022, the Washington Nationals traded Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres after he declined a historic 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer. In return, the Nationals received a substantial package of prospects, aiming to build their next championship-contending team.

2022: Nationals Unveil Cherry Blossom-Themed City Connect Uniforms

As part of MLB's partnership with Nike, the Washington Nationals unveiled their themed "City Connect" uniforms in 2022. The design, inspired by Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms, features a gray base with pink accents and cherry blossom prints. The Nationals wear these uniforms during Friday and Saturday home games.

2022: White Script Alternate Uniform Becomes Primary Home Uniform

The Washington Nationals promoted their white alternate uniform featuring the "Nationals" script to their primary home uniform, replacing the white "curly W" uniform in 2022.

February 13, 2023: Ted Lerner Dies

On February 13, 2023, Ted Lerner, the patriarch of the Lerner family, which owns the Washington Nationals, passed away due to complications from pneumonia.

2023: Nationals Continue to Use Numbers Retired by Expos

As of 2023, the Washington Nationals continue to use the numbers that were retired by the Montreal Expos, with the exception of Jackie Robinson's number 42.

2023: Nationals Conclude 2023 Season

At the end of the 2023 season, the Washington Nationals had an overall franchise win-loss record of 4,194-4,478-4, with a .484 winning percentage. Their record since moving to Washington, D.C. in 2005 stood at 1,439-1,535, also reflecting a .484 winning percentage.

2023: Nationals Improve with Young Players and Strengthen Farm System

The Nationals finished the 2022 season with the worst record in baseball at 55-107 after trading Soto and other key players. The 2022 season proved to be the low point of the rebuild, as young players such as CJ Abrams and Josiah Gray led the Nationals to an improved 71-91 record in 2023. ESPN's annual farm system rankings also demonstrated marked improvement, as their farm system ranking rose from 30th in 2021 to 22nd in 2022, 13th in 2023, and 16th in 2024.

February 2024: Spring Training Facility Renamed CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches

In February 2024, the Nationals and Astros agreed to a multi-year naming rights deal with Travis Scott's CACTI Hard Seltzer company, renaming the facility CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.

2024: Strasburg Retires

Injuries limited Stephen Strasburg to just 31 and 1/3 innings pitched under his seven-year, $245 million contract, forcing him to retire in 2024.

2024: Nationals Update Road Uniform, Introduce New Alternate, Remove Chest Numbers

The Washington Nationals are set to update their road uniforms in 2024, featuring a block "Washington" lettering, and will introduce a new white pullover alternate uniform with navy sleeves and the "Capitol W" crest. Chest numbers will be removed from the primary home and alternate navy uniforms.