With his blazing speed Marquis Grissom was a demon on the basepaths, twice leading the National League in Stolen Bases as an Expo.  Grissom was also quite adept utilizing his speed patrolling the outfield, as he would earn two of his four Gold Gloves in Montreal.  The Expos were unable to keep Grissom and was unloaded to the Braves in 1995, where he won a World Series Ring.  Grissom had 747 Hits with 266 Stoken Bases.

Few players in baseball history have ever shouldered the burden of expectation placed on Bryce Harper. At 16, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a prodigy, he was hailed as the "Chosen One" long before the Washington Nationals selected him with the first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. When he finally made his highly anticipated big-league debut in April 2012 at just 19, Harper didn’t just meet the immense hype—he weaponized a fierce, theatrical style of play that instantly electrified the nation's capital.

His 2012 arrival was an exceptional display of youthful vigor, characterized by assertive baserunning, diving catches, and a powerful, left-handed swing that produced 22 home runs, 98 runs scored, and an .817 OPS. His vigorous performance garnered him the National League Rookie of the Year Award and a position in the All-Star Game, playing a pivotal role in the franchise's evolution into a division champion and a consistent contender.

Harper was a notable box-office attraction in his own right, exhibiting a rare and charismatic star power that consistently drew spectators to Nationals Park. He was chosen to participate in the All-Star Game six times during his seven seasons in D.C., performing with a composed intensity and distinctive hair flips that established him as the most dynamic and esteemed icon of his generation.

Harper's remarkable talent culminated in a historic 2015 season, marked as one of the most dominant offensive performances in modern baseball. At only 22, he overwhelmed NL Pitching, winning the MVP unanimously after leading in home runs (42), runs (118), on-base percentage (.460), and slugging(.649). His 1.109 OPS and 198 OPS+, combined with a stellar 10.0 bWAR, topped MLB, making him the first MVP winner in Expos/Nationals franchise history.

Following that historic peak, the subsequent seasons were a thrilling, high-energy mix of prolific production and physical injuries. In 2016, opposing teams often chose not to pitch to him, intentionally walking him a record-tying 108 times—including six walks in a single game against the Cubs—causing his batting average to fall to .243 despite his hitting 24 home runs. He made a remarkable, MVP-level comeback in 2017, batting.319 with 29 home runs by August, but a dangerous slip on a wet first base resulted in a serious knee hyperextension, sidelining him for over a month.

Healthy again for his final season in Washington in 2018, Harper put on a show for the local fans. He won the Home Run Derby at Nationals Park in dramatic fashion and anchored the lineup by blasting 34 home runs and driving in a career-high 100 RBIs, while leading the major leagues with 130 walks to post an elite .393 on-base percentage.

After that campaign, Harper became the most sought-after free agent in years, transforming his impressive tenure with Washington into a landmark 13-year, $330 million deal with division rivals the Philadelphia Phillies. Although his departure disappointed fans who saw the Nationals win a World Series the following fall without him, his key contributions remain undeniable.

Harper appeared in 927 games for the Nats, accumulating 922 hits, 184 home runs, 521 RBIs, and 75 stolen bases while generating a stellar .279/.388/.512 slash line (139 OPS+).

Was he one of the best players in Nationals history?

Clown question, bro.

When Dennis Martínez arrived in Montreal mid-way through the 1986 season, he was a deeply respected veteran who had spent his career anchoring the Baltimore Orioles but was looking for a completely fresh start. The slender right-hander from Granada—the very first Nicaraguan-born player to ever reach the major leagues—instantly found a second home in Quebec. Over a spectacular late-career resurgence, "El Presidente" didn't just rebuild his trajectory; he orchestrated the finest, most elite pitching chapter of his 23-year big-league journey.

With a fantastic combination of sharp breaking balls, perfect control, and a passionate competitive spirit, Martínez became the dependable backbone of a young, lively Expos team. He consistently delivered an impressive streak of performances at Stade Olympique, earning three straight National League All-Star selections from 1990 to 1992. During this time, he regularly took on large workloads of over 200 innings, proudly serving as the steady anchor of the starting rotation.

Martínez’s late-career resurgence reached a truly memorable peak with a stunning 1991 performance. At 37, he dominated National League lineups, winning the NL ERA Title with a fantastic, career-best 2.39. He also led the league in complete games (9) and shutouts (5), finishing just outside the top spot in the NL Cy Young Award voting. This season truly highlighted his exceptional skill and resilience. The defining moment of that historic summer took place on July 28 at Dodger Stadium. In front of a stunned crowd in Los Angeles, Martínez authored the ultimate masterpiece of franchise history, retiring all 27 batters he faced to throw a flawless, 2–0 perfect game—a crowning theatrical achievement that permanently solidified his status as an absolute national hero in his homeland and a legend in Montreal.

Martínez maintained high-leverage performance during the 1993 season, concluding his lengthy tenure in Canada with precisely 100 wins and 973 strikeouts while playing for the Expos. After that season, he became a free agent and helped lead the Cleveland Indians to an American League pennant, surpassing 240 career wins.

In Montreal, he made 241 appearances (233 starts) with a 100–72 record, a microscopic 3.06 ERA, and a premium 1.15 WHIP. He threw 1,617.2 innings, recording 41 complete games, 18 shutouts, and 973 strikeouts. Martínez was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

When the franchise moved from Montreal to establish the Washington Nationals in 2005, their first-ever amateur draft pick was an elegant, assured third baseman from the University of Virginia. Ryan Zimmerman didn’t just occupy a position on the field; he became the foundational cornerstone for the modern Washington team. Debuting in that September, he rapidly endeared himself to local fans and began a long, multi-decade career that earned him the lasting nickname of "Mr. National."

Zimmerman’s first decade in Washington was characterized by a consistent, high-output offensive approach at third base. While he may not have been widely recognized as a top-tier superstar nationally, he performed at a level significantly above league average. Utilizing a compact, powerful right-handed swing and a strong throwing arm, he often came through in critical moments, notably hitting a walk-off home run to open Nationals Park in 2008. His steady performance earned him back-to-back Silver Slugger Awards in 2009 and 2010, a Gold Glove in 2009, and his first All-Star appearance, offering a dependable foundation as the team gradually built a competitive roster around him.

As injuries and aging prompted a shift to first base mid-career, Zimmerman's leadership in the clubhouse stayed constant. He led a remarkable offensive revival in 2017, hitting .303 with a career-best 36 home runs and 108 RBIs, earning his second All-Star selection.

The ultimate high-leverage punctuation on his relentless loyalty materialized during the magical 2019 postseason. Zimmerman launched the very first World Series home run in Washington franchise history during Game 1 in Houston, serving as the emotional heartbeat for a resilient squad that marched all the way to a world championship banner.

Zimmerman officially departed the field after the 2021 season, ending a remarkable 16-year career entirely with one organization. He retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in almost every major offensive category, including games played (1,799), runs scored (964), hits (1,846), doubles (417), home runs (284), and RBIs (1,061). In June 2022, the organization cemented his legacy by officially retiring his No. 11 at Nationals Park, ensuring that future fans will always remember the player who truly defined Washington baseball.