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.