The Nationals' Bold Moves at 2021 MLB Draft

The **Washington Nationals** are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Washington, D.C., competing in the National League East division. The franchise originated as the Montreal Expos in 1969 and relocated to Washington in 2005, adopting the Nationals name to reflect the city's baseball heritage[1][2]. Their home games are played at Nationals Park, and the team colors are scarlet red, navy blue, and white[1]. Historically, the Nationals have experienced fluctuating success. As the Expos, they had modest achievements, including a playoff appearance in 1981. Since relocating, they clinched the National League East division title in 2012 and made several postseason appearances in the mid-2010s[1][2]. Their pinnacle achievement was winning the **2019 World Series**, marking the franchise’s first championship. That year, the Nationals overcame significant playoff hurdles, including their first postseason series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series. In the World Series, they defeated the Houston Astros in seven games, a historic win highlighted by four road victories. Stephen Strasburg was named the World Series MVP, setting a record with five wins and no losses in a single postseason[2]. Following their championship, the Nationals entered a rebuilding phase, trading away core star players and struggling in subsequent seasons, finishing near the bottom of their division from 2020 through 2023[1]. As of 2025, the team continues developing talent with a focus on younger players and organizational depth amid competitive challenges[4][5]. Notable players across both the Expos and Nationals eras include Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Larry Walker, as well as stars like Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg[1][2]. The Nationals’ story reflects the complex dynamics of sports franchises involving financial viability, talent development

## Overview The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a leading public research university, recognized for its robust academic programs, significant research contributions, and deep impact on Oklahoma’s educational, cultural, and economic landscape[1]. Established by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1890 and located in Norman, OU today enrolls more than 30,000 students and employs over 2,600 full-time faculty members across 20 colleges offering bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees[1]. The university operates multiple campuses, including the Norman campus for most academic programs and the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, one of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the U.S., with additional offerings at the Schusterman Center in Tulsa[1]. ## Historical Milestones OU’s founding was closely tied to Oklahoma’s territorial development. The Norman community donated land and funds to secure the institution, with David Ross Boyd appointed as the first president in 1892[2][3]. Early growth was modest, but by 1908, despite setbacks like devastating fires, the university had nearly 800 students and a growing faculty[2]. Statehood in 1907 officially renamed it the University of Oklahoma, and the institution rapidly expanded its academic offerings, including the early establishment of a School of Pharmacy in 1893[3]. The 20th century saw OU emerge as a research powerhouse, with key milestones including the desegregation of graduate and law schools in 1950 after landmark Supreme Court cases, and the creation of innovative colleges such as Public Health (1967), Dentistry (1969), and Environmental Design (1970)[4]. ## Key Achievements and Current Status OU is a Carnegie-classified “R1” doctoral university with very high research activity. It is particularly noted for its programs in meteorology, engineering, business, and Native American studies—the latter reflecting its early commitment to Indigenous education, with the Native Nations Center established in