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Posted By: Paul

When the Expos became the Nationals, I read an article on the history of Washington franchises. According to the article, the 19th Century National League franchise in D.C. was named the Senators. To distinguish themselves from this team, the American League franchise chose the name "Nationals" in 1901. Despite this, most fans and newspapers referred to them as the "Senators." This went on for over 50 years, until the team finally capitulated and changed its name to the Senators in (I think) 1956. The expansion franchise in Washington was always known as the Senators.

Assuming this is all true, it is kind of ironic that most cards using the name "Nationals" were issued just before, or perhaps even after, the name change.