Washington "Nat'l League"

From BR Bullpen

The Washington National Leagues were a designation given to the 1974 San Diego Padres. In late 1973, it seemed to be a sure bet that the Padres would be moving to Washington, DC for the 1974 season. Using this knowledge Topps produced its first run of cards with players in San Diego uniforms and marked with Washington "Nat'l League" in place of the words San Diego and Padres.

The Padres were sold to fast food magnate Ray Kroc and he kept the team in San Diego. The cards that were changed, 15 in all, were quickly changed back. Cards with the Washington Nat'l League designation are much rarer than their San Diego Padres counterparts.