"First in War, First in Peace.and Last in the American League." Expressions such as these characterized the legend and lore of baseball in the nation's capitol, from the pioneering Washington Nationals of 1859, to the Washington Senators, whose ignominious departure in 1971 left Washingtonians bereft of the national pastime for 34 years. This reflective book gives the complete history of the game in the D.C. area, including the story of the Homestead Grays, who won nine straight Negro League pennants from 1937-1945 and consistently outdrew the Senators.