Washington had been without Major League Baseball since the Senators were moved to Arlington , Texas to become the Texas Rangers following the 1972 season .
U.S. President Gerald Ford had attempted to put pressure on MLB to give Washington , D.C. an expansion franchise instead of Toronto .
Washington had been without MLB     since the Senators were moved to Arlington , Texas to become the Texas Rangers following the 1972 season .
U.S. President Gerald Ford had attempted to put pressure on MLB to give Washington , D.C. an expansion franchise instead of Toronto .