A new ballpark in D.C.

Washington's RFK Stadium – then known as District of Columbia Stadium – opens for baseball 62 years ago today with President John Kennedy delivering the ceremonial first pitch before a Monday afternoon crowd of 44,383.

The Senators beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on a five-hitter by right-hander Bennie Daniels, who then loses 10 straight decisions before finally winning again on July 14.

As for the rest of the summer, the Senators win only 59 times after their home opener to finish the 1962 season 60-101 and in their customary last place in the American League.

The Senators play at RFK Stadium through the 1971 season before moving to suburban Dallas and becoming the Texas Rangers.

RFK Stadium later becomes the temporary home for the transplanted Montreal Expos, who move to Washington after the 2004 season and play at RFK until Nationals Park opens in 2008.