WASHINGTON D.C.- Baseball fans in Washington, D.C., have something special to look forward to as the Washington Nationals mark two decades since their arrival in the nation’s capital. On Saturday, April 5, the 2005 Nationals—the team that brought baseball back to the District after a 33-year hiatus—will be inducted into the Nationals Ring of Honor. This ceremony highlights the 20th Anniversary Weekend celebration, a tribute to the franchise’s history and its dedicated supporters.

Mark D. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals, expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion: “We are very excited to honor the 2005 team during our 20th Anniversary Weekend as we celebrate two decades of Nationals baseball with our fans. These players represent the first team to be inducted into the Ring of Honor as they helped start a new chapter of baseball in D.C. and establish the Nationals as the hometown team for generations to come.”

The celebration kicks off on Friday, April 4—exactly 20 years to the day since the Nationals played their inaugural game against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005. The first 20,000 fans through the gates at Nationals Park will receive a NATS20 replica commemorative ring, a keepsake honoring the team’s milestone. Adding to the excitement, fans can scan QR codes around the ballpark for a chance to win one of 20 authentic commemorative rings, each valued at nearly $6,000, through a special sweepstakes.

The party continues on Saturday, April 5, with the 2005 team’s induction into the Ring of Honor during a pregame ceremony. Established in 2010, the Ring of Honor celebrates key figures from the Nationals, as well as legends from the Washington Senators, Homestead Grays, and Montreal Expos. That same day, another 20,000 fans will walk away with 2005 replica jerseys, a nod to the team’s debut season.

The weekend wouldn’t be complete without appearances from the players who made 2005 unforgettable. Alumni from that inaugural roster will be on hand for the Ring of Honor induction and other special events. On Friday, April 4, ticketed fans can join a pregame Q&A session, while Saturday, April 5, offers a pregame photo and autograph session—both open to all ticket holders.

Among the confirmed attendees are:

• Jamey Carroll, an infielder from the Nationals’ first season.

• Chad Cordero, the All-Star relief pitcher who notched the franchise’s first save on April 12, 2005, and led the league with 47 saves that year, earning the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.

• John Patterson, a pitcher who started 31 games in 2005.

• Brian Schneider, the catcher who logged 113 games behind the plate and recorded the franchise’s first double on April 4, 2005.

• Ryan Zimmerman, affectionately known as “Mr. National,” the team’s first-ever draft pick in 2005. Zimmerman debuted on September 1 that year and went on to become the franchise leader in hits, total bases, doubles, RBI, games played, walks, runs, and home runs.

The induction of the 2005 team into the Ring of Honor is more than a ceremonial nod—it’s a recognition of the squad that laid the foundation for Nationals baseball in D.C. After relocating from Montreal, where they were known as the Expos, the Nationals brought Major League Baseball back to the District in 2005, ending a drought that stretched back to 1971. That first season, finishing with an 81-81 record, marked the beginning of a new era—one that would eventually lead to a World Series title in 2019.

This 20th Anniversary Weekend is a chance for fans to relive those early days and celebrate the players who started it all. Whether you’re there for the giveaways, the alumni appearances, or the emotional Ring of Honor ceremony, it’s a moment to honor the past while looking forward to the future of Nationals baseball.

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