The Washington Nationals professional baseball team had a good start to the 2008 season, but they're now last in the league. The Nats are in the National League East division, along with 15 other teams. Earlier this year the Nationals moved into their new stadium in Washington, D.C., Nationals Park. The team relocated to D.C. from Montreal in 2005.
The Montreal Expos were renamed the Washington Nationals and began their 2005 season at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. With the team's close proximity to Baltimore, Orioles owner Peter Angelos had aired concern about the possibility of fan reduction in Baltimore. Others wondered if D.C. has the fans to justify a team in the city. The city hasn’t had a professional baseball team since 1971, when the Washington Senators left for Texas.
Since moving to D.C., the Nationals have had their share of disappointments and rough times. The 2005 season ended with as many wins as losses, and the team finished in last place in the Eastern division. It's been downhill since then. Owner Ted Lerner looks forward to the draft in hopes of building a strong and healthy team. Lerner realizes a new ballpark is not enough to attract and retain fans; attendance has been slipping this season. Injuries have hindered the team, but players are coming back. Infielder Ryan Zimmerman is back in play, and fans await relief pitcher Ryan Wagner and others' return to the field. These next two months will be tough for the Nationals as the season comes to a close. Hopefully, they can improve their team's standing and regain lost fans.
