The 2005 Washington Nationals season was a historic and thrilling inaugural year as Major League Baseball returned to the nation's capital. The team captivated fans with a spectacular first half, surging to a 51-32 record by July and leading the National League East for several weeks. Highlights included Brad Wilkerson hitting for the cycle in the team's first win and an emotional home opener at RFK Stadium where President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch. Despite a challenging second half, the Nationals finished with a solid 81-81 record, powered by All-Stars Livan Hernandez and MLB saves leader Chad Cordero, as well as the exciting debut of future franchise cornerstone Ryan Zimmerman. The 2006 Washington Nationals season was highlighted by Alfonso Soriano's historic entry into the 40-40 club, as he became just the fourth player in Major League history to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single year. The franchise also celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking of their future home, Nationals Park, and officially transitioned to new local ownership under the Lerner family. While the team finished with a 71-91 record, fans enjoyed memorable moments like the revival of the Beltway Series against the Orioles and the continued development of young star Ryan Zimmerman.