1887 Washington Nationals

1887 Washington Nationals (1886-1889) / Franchise: Washington Nationals (1886-1889) / BR Team Page

Record: 46-76, Finished 7th in National League (1887 NL)

Managed by John Gaffney

Ballpark: Capitol Park

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1887 Washington Nationals were notable for having a young Connie Mack, playing his first full major league season, as their starting catcher. He hit .201 in 82 games. The team played with view of the US Capitol, a block from the Government Printing Office. The team's fan base was made up mainly of politicians and governement employees, with John Philip Sousa, leader of the United States Marine Band, and John Heydler, future president of the National League and a young public servant at the time, among them.

First baseman Bill Krieg hit a home run opening day, causing a great commotion among spectators, in a rain-shortened game which Washington lost 6-4. The team finished next to last in the league, only ahead of the Indianapolis Hoosiers.

Further Reading

• Norman L. Macht: "Washington in 1887", in Bob Brown, ed.: Monumental Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Capital Region, The National Pastime, SABR, 2009, p. 9.