The Ultimate Washington Nationals Deep-Dive Trivia

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The Ultimate Washington Nationals Deep-Dive Trivia

Test your knowledge of Franchise History, from the Montreal roots to the 2019 World Series Dynasty run. Are you a true Nats historian?

Gear up for the next home stand!

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1. Before relocating to D.C. in 2005, the franchise was known as which team?

A) Montreal Expos
B) Vancouver Mounties
C) Ottawa Senators
D) Quebec Capitals

Answer: A) Montreal Expos

The Story Behind the Stat: The Expos played in Montreal from 1969 until 2004 before MLB moved the team to the nation's capital.

2. Who was the first player ever drafted by the Washington Nationals after the move in 2005?

A) Stephen Strasburg
B) Bryce Harper
C) Ryan Zimmerman
D) Ian Desmond

Answer: C) Ryan Zimmerman

The Story Behind the Stat: Known as "Mr. National," Zimmerman was the 4th overall pick in 2005 and spent his entire 16-year career with the franchise.

3. In 2010, Stephen Strasburg made his "Electric Debut." How many batters did he strike out against the Pirates?

A) 10
B) 12
C) 14
D) 16

Answer: C) 14

The Story Behind the Stat: It remains one of the most hyped debuts in MLB history. Strasburg struck out the last seven batters he faced.

4. Which Nationals pitcher famously struck out 20 batters in a single nine-inning game in 2016?

A) Jordan Zimmermann
B) Max Scherzer
C) Gio Gonzalez
D) Patrick Corbin

Answer: B) Max Scherzer

The Story Behind the Stat: Scherzer achieved this feat against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, joining the elite 20-K club.

5. Who hit the go-ahead, two-run home run off the foul pole in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series?

A) Juan Soto
B) Anthony Rendon
C) Howie Kendrick
D) Adam Eaton

Answer: C) Howie Kendrick

The Story Behind the Stat: The "clank" heard 'round the world. Kendrick's shot off Will Harris flipped the game and secured the title.

6. Who was the first Washington Nationals player to win the National League MVP award?

A) Ryan Zimmerman
B) Bryce Harper
C) Juan Soto
D) Trea Turner

Answer: B) Bryce Harper

The Story Behind the Stat: Harper won the award unanimously in 2015 after posting a staggering 1.109 OPS.

7. Which manager led the Nationals to their first World Series title in 2019?

A) Dusty Baker
B) Matt Williams
C) Davey Johnson
D) Dave Martinez

Answer: D) Dave Martinez

The Story Behind the Stat: Martinez's "Stay in the Fight" mantra became the rallying cry for the team's historic comeback season.

8. Before moving to Nationals Park in 2008, where did the team play their home games in D.C.?

A) FedEx Field
B) RFK Stadium
C) Griffith Stadium
D) Memorial Stadium

Answer: B) RFK Stadium

The Story Behind the Stat: RFK was the temporary home for three seasons (2005–2007) while the new park was under construction.

9. In 2015, Max Scherzer threw two no-hitters. Which team did he shut down for the second one?

A) Pittsburgh Pirates
B) New York Mets
C) Los Angeles Dodgers
D) Chicago Cubs

Answer: B) New York Mets

The Story Behind the Stat: Scherzer struck out 17 Mets on October 3, 2015, in one of the most dominant pitching performances ever recorded.

10. Which player became a cult hero during the 2019 season for using the "Baby Shark" walk-up song?

A) Gerardo Parra
B) Brian Dozier
C) Aníbal Sánchez
D) Victor Robles

Answer: A) Gerardo Parra

The Story Behind the Stat: Parra changed his walk-up music to please his daughter, and it sparked a massive cultural phenomenon at Nationals Park.

11. Who holds the franchise record (Expos/Nationals combined) for the most career stolen bases?

A) Trea Turner
B) Tim Raines
C) Marquis Grissom
D) Delino DeShields

Answer: B) Tim Raines

The Story Behind the Stat: Hall of Famer Tim Raines stole 635 bases for the Montreal Expos, a mark that remains untouched by the D.C. era players.

12. In the 2019 NLDS, who hit the dramatic 10th-inning grand slam to eliminate the Dodgers?

A) Ryan Zimmerman
B) Anthony Rendon
C) Howie Kendrick
D) Juan Soto

Answer: C) Howie Kendrick

The Story Behind the Stat: Kendrick's grand slam off Joe Kelly silenced Dodger Stadium and propelled the Nats to the NLCS.

13. Which Nationals pitcher won the 2019 World Series MVP?

A) Max Scherzer
B) Stephen Strasburg
C) Aníbal Sánchez
D) Sean Doolittle

Answer: B) Stephen Strasburg

The Story Behind the Stat: Strasburg went 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA in the series, winning Games 2 and 6.

14. Jayson Werth hit one of the most famous walk-off home runs in D.C. history during the 2012 NLDS. Which game was it?

A) Game 1
B) Game 3
C) Game 4
D) Game 5

Answer: C) Game 4

The Story Behind the Stat: Werth's 13-pitch at-bat ended with a blast into the bullpen, forcing a Game 5 against the Cardinals.

15. Who was the first Nationals player to win a Batting Title?

A) Daniel Murphy
B) Juan Soto
C) Bryce Harper
D) Trea Turner

Answer: B) Juan Soto

The Story Behind the Stat: Soto won the NL batting title in 2020 with a .351 average, becoming the youngest player in NL history to do so.

16. Which legendary manager was the first to lead the club during its inaugural 2005 season in Washington?

A) Frank Robinson
B) Manny Acta
C) Jim Riggleman
D) Davey Johnson

Answer: A) Frank Robinson

The Story Behind the Stat: Robinson, a Hall of Famer, managed the Expos from 2002-2004 and stayed with the team through the move to D.C.

17. On the final day of the 2014 regular season, who threw the first no-hitter in Nationals (D.C. era) history?

A) Max Scherzer
B) Jordan Zimmermann
C) Stephen Strasburg
D) Gio Gonzalez

Answer: B) Jordan Zimmermann

The Story Behind the Stat: The game ended with a spectacular diving catch by rookie Steven Souza Jr. in left field to preserve the no-hitter.

18. How many consecutive road games did the Nationals win during the 2019 World Series?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 7

Answer: C) 4

The Story Behind the Stat: The 2019 World Series was the first in MLB history where the road team won every single game.

19. Which Nationals outfielder won three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards from 2020 to 2022?

A) Bryce Harper
B) Juan Soto
C) Lane Thomas
D) Kyle Schwarber

Answer: B) Juan Soto

The Story Behind the Stat: Soto's elite plate discipline and power made him a perennial Silver Slugger threat before his trade to San Diego.

20. What is the name of the racing mascots that compete during the fourth inning of every home game?

A) The Founding Fathers
B) The Racing Presidents
C) The D.C. Legends
D) The Potomac Pilots

Answer: B) The Racing Presidents

The Story Behind the Stat: The race features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt (who famously had a long losing streak).

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