The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have the best record in baseball in early September, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to the last year Washington ruled the base paths.

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1. ...Gas was 10 cents a gallon

A loaf of bread cost 7 cents, and a can of Campbell's soup cost a dime. The average home rented for $18 a month, and the average wage was $20 a week.

Dorothea Lange / National Archives

2. ... You could get a beer legally (if you were old enough)

Prohibition had just been repealed. Some people might say there was a lot of reason to drink, if you could afford it. (More on that later.)

/ AP

3. ... The New Deal was new.

And talk about government stimulus — newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized 4 million public-sector jobs. From March to June, government was the opposite of gridlock, moving quickly to address a seriously stricken economy.

/ AP

4. ... Fay Wray had gorilla problems

“King Kong” climbed to the top of the box office (and a skyscraper), and a 5-year-old named Shirley Temple got a big movie deal.

/ AP

5. ... A famous bridge began to rise in San Francisco

Work began on the Golden Gate Bridge, one of scores of signature infrastructure projects built in the decade.

Charles M. Miller / Golden Gate Bridge District Archives

6. ... They didn't need a Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig

The team had their own boy wonder: 26-year-old Joe Cronin. He was the shortstop, the manager, batted .309 with 45 doubles and 118 runs batted in. A note: The “Damn Yankees” finished second that year, seven games behind the 91-59 Washington team, then called the Senators.

. / AP

7. ... They had a 19-year-old phenom

Infielder Cecil Travis burst into the majors with a bit of Bryce Harper’s bravado, batting .314. Attendance was strong — the second highest in the league.

/ The Washington Post file photo

8. ... They had a great nickname

“The Wrecking Crew of '33” won the Senators’ third, and final, pennant. The league title came came after three straight 90-plus victory seasons in which they finished second each time.

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