The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C., United States.

The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

The team moved into the newly-built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium.

The "Nationals" name originates from the two former Washington baseball teams who held the same name (used interchangeably with "Senators").

An expansion franchise, the club was founded in Montreal, Quebec in 1969.

The then Montreal Expos, were the first major league team in Canada, and played their home games at Jarry Park Stadium, then later, in Olympic Stadium.

This was the first complete name change for a relocating team in Major League Baseball since 1972, when the Washington Senators left D.C. to become the Texas Rangers.

They won a division championship, and advanced to the National League Championship Series, in their only playoff appearance, which was under the strange circumstances of the 1981 season.

The move was approved by the owners of the other teams in a 28--1 vote on December 3 (Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos cast the sole dissenting vote).

On March 30, 2008, the Nationals held the grand opening of their new ballpark, Nationals Park, with a rare one game series against the Atlanta Braves.

For the record, the first hit was recorded by Cristian Guzman, the first RBI was recorded by Nick Johnson, the first run scored was recorded by Cristian Guzman, the first home run was recorded by the Braves' Chipper Jones, and the first starting pitchers were Odalis Perez for the Washington Nationals and Tim Hudson for the Braves.

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