when did the washington nationals become a team
Washington Nationals The current National League club was founded in 1969 as the Montreal Expos, part of the MLB expansion, which included the Seattle Pilots (now the Milwaukee Brewers),[3] Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres. Based in Montreal, the Expos were the first Major League team in Canada.[4] Home games were played at Jarry Park Stadium and later in Olympic Stadium. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, the Expos won a division championship and made their only post-season appearance in Montreal, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, 3–2, in the National League Division Series, but losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3–2, in the National League Championship Series.
Philadelphia Flyers On April 4, 1966, Putnam announced a name-the-team contest.[18] Details of the contest were released on July 12.[18] The team name was announced on August 3.[18]
Houston Astros The Astros were established as the Houston Colt .45s and entered the National League as an expansion team in 1962 along with the New York Mets. The current name—reflecting Houston's role as the control center of the U.S. space program—was adopted three years later, when they moved into the Astrodome, the world's first domed sports stadium.
Smith & Wesson On February 15, 2002, the name of the newly formed entity was changed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation.[25]