  the washington nationals are a professional baseball team based in washington, d.c. the nationals are a member of the east division of the national league (nl) of major league baseball (mlb). from 2005 to 2007 the team played in rfk stadium; since 2008 their home stadium has been nationals park, located on south capitol street in southeast d.c., near the anacostia river. the nationals' name derives from the former washington baseball team that had the same name (used interchangeably with senators). their nickname is "the nats"âa shortened version that was also used by the old d.c. teams. an expansion franchise, the club was founded in  as the montreal expos, the first major league team in canada. they were based in montreal, quebec, and played their home games at jarry park stadium and later in olympic stadium. during the strike-shortened [[
2005_establishments_in_Washington,_D.C. Major_League_Baseball_teams Privately_held_companies_based_in_Washington,_D.C. Sports_clubs_established_in_2005 Washington_Nationals