Red, white, navy and cold are the team colors for the Washington Nationals and even though only number 42 has been retired thus far, this team is a relatively young one compared to others started much early. Officially the number 42 was retired by all teams in honor of Jackie Robinson so the Nationals have not actually retired a number as of yet. The Nationals do have an extensive list of players who have been honored under the Washinton Senators name. This list includes Walter Johnson, Clark Griffith, Joe Judge, Sam Rice, Bucky Harris, Goose Goslin, Ossie Bluege, Joe Cronin, Cecil Travis, George Case, Mickey Vernon, Early Wynn, Eddie Yost, Roy Sievers, Harmon Killebrew, Chuck Hinton, George Selkirk, Gil Hodges and Frank Howard. The current banner of recognition of this group hangs in Nationals Park around the center-field entrance.
Founded in 1969, the Nationals have only been based in Washington since 2005. As members of the National League and East Division since 1969, the Nationals came up with the name as a derivate of the two baseball teams that existed before them. Started in Montreal, Quebec as an expansion franchise and were named the Montreal Expos. Their home ballpark was Jarry Park Stadium.
In 1994, the Expose had the highest winning percentage and the best record in the sport before a strike shortened the season. Although prior to the strike the Expos did win the East Division title in 1981, the win wasn’t enough to keep management from giving a lot of players the pink slip. The outcome was that many fans lost interest in the team and by 2001, there were talks of revoking the franchise. Instead the MLB purchased the Expos and moved them to Washington just before the start of the 2005 season.
The name was changed to the Washington Nationals, which was a complete name change for the team. To date, the Nationals are one of three teams who have never played in a World Series. The other teams are the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers. As the Expos, Gary Carter and Andre Dawson were inducted into the baseball hall of fame. Under the Washington Nationals names, inductees into the hall of fame include Tony Perez, Frank Robinson and Dick Williams.
The current home of the Nationals is Nationals Park. Located at 1500 South Capitol Street, SE in Washington, D.C. Opened in 2008 for a college game in March. Owned by D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission, this grass surfaced venue cost 1 million dollars to complete. From the luxury seating that includes the Stars & Stripes Club, PNC Diamond Club and Lexus Presidents Club to features like the “Screech” store, Nationals Park provides the perfect backdrop for spending an exciting day at the ballpark taking in a Nationals game.
Nationals Park is easily accessible via I-295 or I-395 as well as from the Navy Yard station on the Metro’s Green Line. This station is just a little over a block away from the ballpark and a commonly used way to get to the Nationals’ games.
Ticket America can help you land Washington Nationals tickets with great seats in just a few mouse clicks.Nationals Park is easily reached by public transportation and convenient to major thoroughfares.
Article from articlesbase.com
