Harrisburg Senators

The modern Harrisburg Senators began play in 1987, reviving a name with deep roots in the city's baseball history dating back to the early 1900s. The team settled on City Island, a 63-acre island in the Susquehanna River connected to downtown Harrisburg by a walking bridge, creating one of the most unique ballpark settings in all of minor league baseball.

The franchise affiliated with the Montreal Expos in 1991, beginning a partnership that would define the Senators' identity for over a decade. City Island Stadium (later renamed multiple times, now FNB Field) became the proving ground for a remarkable procession of Expos talent. Vladimir Guerrero, the future Hall of Famer, played for the Senators in 1996 and 1997, thrilling fans with his raw power and arm strength before ascending to Montreal.

The Senators captured Eastern League championships and established themselves as one of the premier franchises in Double-A. The ballpark's setting—with views of the state capitol dome, the Harvey Taylor Bridge, and the Blue Mountains—gave the team an identity that went beyond wins and losses. By the time the Expos relocated to Washington and became the Nationals after the 2004 season, the Senators had already cemented their place in Harrisburg's civic life.

When the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005, the Senators seamlessly transitioned to their new parent club, maintaining the affiliation that had served both organizations well. The proximity of Harrisburg to Washington—just a two-hour drive down Interstate 81 and 83—made the relationship even more natural.

The Nationals' years of rebuilding and eventual ascent to championship contention meant that elite talent flowed through Harrisburg regularly. Bryce Harper, the generational talent selected first overall in the 2010 draft, played for the Senators in 2012. Juan Soto, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, and Trea Turner all passed through FNB Field on their way to powering Washington's 2019 World Series championship.

Manager Matt LeCroy oversaw the team from 2016 through 2019, guiding competitive squads that posted winning records in 2016 (76-66), 2018 (72-65), and 2019 (76-63). The 2019 season was bittersweet: the Nationals won the World Series with numerous Harrisburg alumni, but principal owner Mark Butler passed away unexpectedly in December, leaving a void in the franchise's leadership that would take years to fill.