I’m treating the Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals as one continuous MLB franchise, because MLB recognizes the Nationals’ franchise history as beginning with the Expos in 1969. The franchise moved to Washington after the 2004 season. The Washington Nationals have one of the most unusual histories in Major League Baseball. The franchise began not in Washington, D.C., but in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as the Montreal Expos in 1969. After 36 seasons in Montreal, the franchise moved to Washington for the 2005 season and became the Washington Nationals. Although the Nationals are a relatively young Washington club, their franchise history stretches back to 1969 and includes Hall of Famers, Cy Young winners, MVPs, Rookie of the Year winners, legendary trades and, finally, a World Series championship. The franchise has played under two names: Montreal Expos — 1969–2004 Washington Nationals — 2005–present MLB’s official history treats the Expos and Nationals as one franchise. The Beginning: Montreal Gets Major League Baseball Montreal was awarded a National League expansion franchise in 1968, and the Expos began play in 1969. They became the first Major League Baseball team located outside the United States. The franchise’s founding principal owner was Charles Bronfman, the Canadian businessman and Seagram executive who helped bring Major League Baseball to Montreal. The Expos played their first game on April 8, 1969, at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets and won 11–10. Six days later, Montreal hosted its first home game at Jarry Park. The early Expos struggled to win consistently, but the organization developed a remarkable collection of young talent. Franchise Ownership Montreal Expos Charles Bronfman — 1969–1991 Bronfman was the founding principal owner and the man most responsible for bringing Major League Baseball to Montreal. He remained in control of the club until 1991. He was later inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Claude Brochu — 1991–1999 Brochu led a consortium of Canadian investors that purchased the club from Bronfman. He became the Expos’ managing general partner and attempted to keep the franchise in Montreal despite serious financial and stadium problems. Jeffrey Loria — 1999–2002 Loria acquired control of the Expos in 1999. His ownership became controversial, particularly as the club struggled financially and attempts to secure a new Montreal stadium failed. Major League Baseball — 2002–2006 MLB took control of the Expos in 2002. The franchise remained under league ownership through its final Montreal seasons and its first season in Washington. Washington Nationals Ownership Major League Baseball — 2004–2006 MLB owned and operated the franchise during the transition from Montreal to Washington. Ted Lerner and the Lerner Family — 2006–2023 In July 2006, the Lerner family officially purchased the Nationals from MLB for $450 million. Ted Lerner became the managing principal owner. The Lerners oversaw the construction and opening of Nationals Park and eventually celebrated the greatest moment in franchise history: the 2019 World Series championship. Mark Lerner — 2018–present as Managing Principal Owner Ted Lerner transferred the managing principal-owner position to his son Mark Lerner in 2018, although the Lerner family has continued to own the franchise. As of 2026, the Lerner family remains the owner of the Nationals. Every Major League Home Ballpark Montreal Expos Jarry Park — 1969–1976 Jarry Park was the original home of the Montreal Expos. It was a converted minor-league facility expanded to Major League standards. It hosted the franchise’s first home game in 1969. Olympic Stadium — 1977–2004 The Expos moved into Olympic Stadium in 1977. The stadium had been built for the 1976 Summer Olympics. It remained Montreal’s primary Major League home until the franchise moved to Washington. Hiram Bithorn Stadium — San Juan, Puerto Rico — 2003–2004 The Expos played portions of their home schedule in San Juan during their final two Montreal seasons as MLB searched for a permanent solution to the franchise’s problems. Washington Ballparks RFK Stadium — 2005–2007 When baseball returned to Washington in 2005, the Nationals initially played at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The club played three seasons there before moving into its new ballpark. Nationals Park — 2008–present Nationals Park opened on March 30, 2008. The Nationals defeated Atlanta 3–2 in the first regular-season game at the new stadium, with Ryan Zimmerman hitting a walk-off home run. Nationals Park finally gave Washington a permanent baseball-only home and became the setting for the 2019 World Series championship celebration. The Greatest Hall of Famers in Franchise History The franchise has produced or developed an extraordinary number of Hall of Fame players. Because Hall of Fame plaques are based on a player’s career and may use a different team logo, this list includes Hall of Famers who played for the Expos/Nationals franchise rather than suggesting that all entered Cooperstown representing Montreal or Washington. Gary Carter Position: Catcher Born: Culver City, California Hall of Fame: 2003 Carter became one of the greatest catchers in baseball history and remains the most iconic Hall of Famer associated with the Montreal Expos. He played for Montreal from 1974–1984 and again in 1992. Carter was a seven-time All-Star and helped the New York Mets win the 1986 World Series after leaving Montreal. Tim Raines Position: Left Field Born: Sanford, Florida Hall of Fame: 2017 Raines was one of the greatest leadoff hitters and base stealers in baseball history. He spent the majority of his career with Montreal and became the face of the Expos during the 1980s. He was… Continue reading Washington Nationals: The Complete History of the Expos and Nationals
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The History of the San Francisco Giants
[custom_countdown width=”100px”] The History of the San Francisco Giants: From New York to the Bay Area The San Francisco Giants are one of the oldest and most successful franchises in Major League Baseball. Their history begins in 1883, when John B. Day and Jim Mutrie organized a National League club originally known as the New York Gothams. The club adopted the nickname Giants during the 1885 season. The franchise has played in two great baseball cities, New York and San Francisco, and has been home to some of the greatest players in baseball history. The Giants have won 23 National League pennants and eight World Series championships, five championships in New York and three since moving to San Francisco. The Beginning: The New York Gothams The Giants entered the National League in 1883. John B. Day and Jim Mutrie had already operated the New York Metropolitans, and they helped establish the new National League club. The Gothams quickly became a powerhouse. By 1885, the team was being called the Giants, and the roster included future Hall of Famers such as Roger Connor, Buck Ewing, Tim Keefe and Mickey Welch. That 1885 club won 85 of 112 games, producing the highest winning percentage in franchise history. The Giants won their first National League pennants in 1888 and 1889 and also won the early championship series against the American Association champion. The franchise survived numerous ownership changes, ballpark moves and league challenges before establishing itself as one of baseball’s permanent institutions. Every Home Ballpark in Giants History Few franchises have had a more interesting ballpark history. The Giants have played in several different parks in New York and two temporary and permanent homes in San Francisco.Jersey City, New Jersey Ballpark Years Used Location Polo Grounds I 1883-1888 110th St. & Sixth Ave., Manhattan Oakdale Park 1889 Jersey City, New Jersey St. George Grounds 1889 Staten Island, New York Polo Grounds II 1889-1890 155th St. & Eighth Ave., Manhattan Polo Grounds III 1891-1911 Coogan’s Hollow, Manhattan Hilltop Park 1911 165th St. & Fort Washington Ave. Polo Grounds V 1911-1957 155th/157th St. & Eighth Ave., Manhattan Seals Stadium 1958-1959 16th & Bryant Streets, San Francisco Candlestick Park 1960-1999 Candlestick Point, San Francisco Oracle Park 2000-present Third & King Streets, San Francisco The Giants opened their 1889 season at Oakdale Park in Jersey City because they had been evicted from the original Polo Grounds. They played two games there before moving to the St. George Grounds on Staten Island. Later that year they moved back to Manhattan to a new Polo Grounds. The 1911 season produced another unusual chapter. The Polo Grounds burned, forcing the Giants to temporarily use Hilltop Park, the home of the American League New York Highlanders. The rebuilt Polo Grounds opened in June 1911 and became the Giants’ home through the 1957 season. Seals Stadium After moving west in 1958, the Giants played their first two seasons in San Francisco at Seals Stadium. On April 15, 1958, the Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0 in their first Major League game in San Francisco. Orlando Cepeda hit a home run in the historic season and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Candlestick Park The Giants moved to Candlestick Park in 1960. The stadium was initially considered a modern improvement over Seals Stadium, but its cold temperatures and notorious winds eventually made it one of the most distinctive—and sometimes hated—ballparks in baseball. Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Barry Bonds and many other Giants stars played at Candlestick. Oracle Park The Giants opened their new downtown San Francisco ballpark in 2000. Originally named Pacific Bell Park, it later became SBC Park, AT&T Park, and finally Oracle Park. The privately financed stadium helped secure the franchise’s long-term future in San Francisco. It also became famous for McCovey Cove, where home runs hit by left-handed Giants hitters can splash into the water. Giants Ownership Through the Years The ownership history of the Giants is almost as complicated as the franchise’s ballpark history. The following list identifies the principal owner or controlling ownership figure for each major period. During the modern era, ownership became an investment partnership rather than a single-person operation. Years Principal/Controlling Owner 1883-1893 John B. Day 1893-1895 C.C. Van Cott 1895-1902 Andrew Freedman 1902-1912 John T. Brush 1912-1919 Harry N. Hempstead 1919-1936 Charles A. Stoneham 1936-1976 Horace C. Stoneham 1976-1993 Bob Lurie 1993-2008 Peter Magowan-led ownership group 2008-2011 William H. Neukom-led ownership group 2012-2019 Larry Baer as managing/control executive 2019-present Greg Johnson as chairman and designated control person The Giants’ early ownership chronology is documented in the club’s historical media guides. Horace Stoneham and the Move West Horace Stoneham inherited the Giants from his father, Charles, in 1936. He eventually became the man responsible for one of the biggest decisions in franchise history. In 1957, Stoneham announced that the Giants would leave New York for San Francisco. The move occurred at the same time the Brooklyn Dodgers were moving to Los Angeles. The two moves permanently changed the geographic map of Major League Baseball. Bob Lurie Saves the Giants Bob Lurie purchased the Giants in 1976 and spent years trying to obtain a new stadium. When those efforts failed, he agreed to sell the team to a group that intended to move it to the Tampa Bay area. That move nearly happened. In 1992, a Bay Area investment group led by Peter Magowan stepped forward and purchased the franchise, keeping the Giants in San Francisco. The Modern Ownership Group Peter Magowan’s group immediately changed the direction of the franchise. The group signed Barry Bonds and began the effort to build a new downtown stadium. Today, the Giants are owned by a consortium of investors. Greg Johnson is chairman and the club’s designated control person, while his father, Charles B. Johnson, has been the largest individual shareholder. The Johnson family has been part of the ownership group since the early 1990s. The Giants in… Continue reading The History of the San Francisco Giants
