After the Washington Nationals folded in 1889, baseball returned the Nation's Capital with a team in the American Association called the Washington Statesmen. The American Association had been a rival to the National League for a decade, but never quite reached the same level as the NL dominated the unofficial version of the 19th Century World Series.

The AA had been hurt by the Player's League lone season in 1890 and limped into its final year of existence with the Statesmen as a new team trying to keep the league afloat. Washington did not fare well in the American Association as they finished dead last in the nine team league with a record of 44-91.

Deacon McGuire was the Statesmen's leading hitter with a . 303 average, with three home runs and 66 RBI, while Frank Forman was the top pitcher at 18-20.

After the season the American Association would fold, but the Washington Statesmen would be one of four teams to join the National League.