Tschüß und auf Wiedersehen, ihr Expos! Moffat, are the Jays your favourite team now?

What will that team be called now?

I just thought I would post this boxscore:

DODGERS 9TH: ROGERS REPLACED WALLACH (PITCHING); Garvey popped
to second; Cey made an out to left; Monday homered; Guerrero
struck out; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 2, Expos 1.

And this just sickens me:


There's not much to say. I was never much of an Expos fan, but no franchise deserved that kind of treatment.

What happens with the retired numbers? I don't think the fans of the Washington SwiftBoaters will care much about The Kid, Le Grand Orange, Hawk, or Rock.

Oh, and the caption in the CNN SI story with that picture?
Jeffrey Loria promises Marlins fans he won't dismantle the team.

"Yeah, suuuure."

31395 fans were in Montréal today, by the way.

Does the team have a new owner now or can Loria buy the team back and let the MLB run the Marlins ( I mean the baseball league MUST know who to run a franchise properly, right?)?

I think it's only two franchises they've failed to support (this will be the third), unless you're going back to the 19th century.

I 'spos everyone knew this was coming but it still sucks. I'm just glad I finally went to the Big O this year and thankfully the game I went to was a lot better than tonight's debacle, as they beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Father's Day and my birthday. The mighty 'Spos offence had all of one hit heading into the bottom of the 9th but amazingly, the game was tied 2-2. And in the 9th, Jose Vidro doubled and Orlando Cabrera homered to left to send all 6,000 of us home happy. I'll never forget how so few fans made so much noise. It was incredible!

The other neat thing about the game that afternoon was the fact it was Photo Day at the Big O and they actually allowed fans to line up and have their pictures taken with the players on the field. I just thought it would be a similar set up to what the Jays usually do by having players sit in groups and fans taking pictures from behind a fence. If I had known that beforehand, I wouldn't have worn my Jays hat so it was funny when I approached the group that featured former Jay Tony Batista, Livan Hernandez, coach Claude Raymond, and Sunny Kim. After Mrs. Brumfield informed them it was my birthday - Batista and Hernandez began to razz me about my hat and made me wear it backwards. I'm not sure who took my hat off and reversed it on me but Mrs. Brumfield believed it was Batista. She took the picture of all of us, or so we thought, but much to our chagrin, the picture didn't take. After much encouragement from the missus, I went up again a few minutes later. They really began to razz me but again, they were gracious enough to allow the picture to go through and this time, my P-O-S camera worked, thank God. The other group I posed with featured Carl Everett (yes, because he wore #2!), Endy Chavez, Chad Bentz, and coach Tom McCraw.

Click here for Photos

All in all, it was a heck of a day for my first and only trip to see the Expos at the Big O but I was sad when it was over because I knew it would probably be my only time there.

I'm very sad to see Canada's first team leave the scene. Blue Monday still makes me sick to my stomach. I remember running home from school that day to catch the tail end of that game. I didn't remember that the Expos had the bases loaded in the 9th before Jerry White grounded out to end the game. That's why I've always hated the Dodgers to this day and I hope they're out in the first round (though I did cheer for them in the '88 World Series only because Alfredo Griffin was on that team).

Why did baseball have to strike in '94, why not '95? Damn Bud Selig, and damn that fathead Loria. If only that downtown park had been built, maybe we wouldn't be talking about this today. I feel sorry for the hardcore Expos fans. I'm making a point to wear my Expos t-shirt for the Jays game on Sunday.

However, I'm sure Montreal will get a Triple A team soon. I think it could happen in 2006, and who knows, if things don't improve in Syracuse, maybe Montreal will be the Jays farm team. There's a prediction for you. Au revoir Expos, thanks for the memories!!

It's 1994. The Expos have the best record in baseball. But the owners say that teams like the Expos can't compete without a salary cap. (Even the Expos owners.) The quest for a cap causes the Expos to lose their '94 playoff run.

The owners lose their battle for a cap. So instead they invent revenue sharing. The Expos now have a nice incentive to sell off their highest-paid players. Ironically, this is often a good strategy anyway, and the Expos continue to play reasonably well for a few years.

Then they trade Pedro Martinez, who was actually worth the money. Good players are revenue-generating assets, after all. The fans stop showing up that year (1998) as the team tanks.

A new owner comes in (2000) making a show of spending money, but ends up not even letting the team be shown on local TV or heard on English radio. He ends up making a nice profit when MLB buys the team in early 2002, supposedly to contract it.

In the most recent completed season (2003), one of the lower payroll teams wins the World Series.

But it's not the Expos. Everyone just knew they had no chance. They said so in 1994. And they were going to prove they were right, one way or another.

I didn't remember that the Expos had the bases loaded in the 9th before Jerry White grounded out to end the game.

After checking the boxscore, there were only 2 men on base. I think Tim Raines or somebody on TSN or Sportsnet said the bases were loaded that inning. Sorry for the confusion.

I just got back from the Argo game. Don't remember that game as I was glued to The Score on the tv's in the 200 level the whole time. I'm so glad I went to Montreal this summer, that's how I want to always remember the city: Summer and with a baseball team. I'm still kinda numb and bummed out. I'll post more tomorrow when I'm more bitter.

Thank you Montreal for making me feel like a kid again when I stood on that spot and saw the O for the first time. It's how I'll always remember.

Then they trade Pedro Martinez, who was actually worth the money

Of all the people that could've gotten the last win at Olympic Stadium... why Carl Pavano? In the year he *finally* puts it all together, no less... cruel, cruel fate.

I swear I wouldn't be a baseball fan today if it weren't for the Montreal Expos. In 1982 when I was 7 years old I was allowed to throw out the first pitch in a game against the gold-and-black Pirates. It was some sort of corporate day and the company my dad worked for was getting some attention. After throwing out the pitch and getting my picture taken with Youppi in front of 40,000 strong, I got to sit in prime seats behind home plate. It was my first Major League Baseball game, all I remember from the game is Gary Carter stealing second base. But I would never be the same...

I thought I was prepared for this eventuality that has seemed so obvious for years. But now that the last home game has been played, well, it's uneasy to dwell on. I didn't think I'd be so affected today.

I'm preferring to live in denial until I see the RFK opener in 2005. It's easier this way. You should try it.

I hate to shatter a childhood memory, KT, but Carter didn't steal any bases at home against the Pirates in 1982.

I hate to shatter a childhood memory, KT, but Carter didn't steal any bases at home against the Pirates in 1982.

Maybe it was defensive indifference, geez, don't be such a killjoy! Let KT have his moment.

I agree with KT when it comes to the Expos being the big reason why I became a huge baseball fan. They were the team I followed growing up before the Jays became contenders.

As for Youppi, I've always thought he was the best mascot in baseball. If the Jays traded Ace for him, I'd have no problem with that. Keep Youppi in Canada at least, he's a national treasure! :)

As for other Expos memories, I think the all-time best was Warren Cromartie wrapping himself up in the Canadian flag after they beat Philadelphia to win the NL East in 1981.

Anyone remember the first interleague match-up in 1997 between the Jays and Expos when Jeff Juden, of all people, outdueled Roger Clemens on Canada Day? I think Juden had a no-hitter going at one point.

As for other random memories....last year, Tomo Ohka had a no-hitter going into the 8th at the Dome. And Mark Hendrickson became the first Jays pitcher to go deep against the Expos. Remember those Pearson Cup match-ups before interleague play?

I feel so bad for Expos fans. When I go to the Dome this week-end, I'm really going to make sure I appreciate seeing the Jays every chance I get.

You guys will like this:

http://pages.ca.inter.net/andrewspicer/article457.html

Thanks Andrew. That's awesome.

I got up to Montreal this past weekend for two games against the Phillies, and while the results were dull losses, I was really glad to be there.

I guess the buzz I had, besides the beer, was the feeling of being close to something I loved as a kid. I remember, vaguely, even sitting way up in the bleachers in Jarry Park with my dad for my first ever game. I remember the big O better of course.

This end result was bound to happen, but for the fans, there are people with money who did everything they could to stick it to them, and it riles me when I hear comments that the fans could have done better.

What business deserves support when it offers such garbage to the fans? In the case of this business, it has also told those fans for three years to get ready to say goodbye. Merci de rien!

I guess things do come to pass, and we'll all be used to the Expos being gone by next April.

Last season I got a Star pass for the Jays so I began my weaning early. I just can't get used to this newfangled DH.

As for Youppi, I've always thought he was the best mascot in baseball. If the Jays traded Ace for him, I'd have no problem with that. Keep Youppi in Canada at least, he's a national treasure! :)

Best logo and best multicoloured hats, in my opinion, too. Youppi! should not be allowed anywhere near Washington. I can't believe he would have any fun there.

Forgive my French, but should it not be "Les Expos ne sont plus là?"

http://me.woot.net
Joel, that sounds right. I'm not a native speaker, or even fluent, so forgive the bad grammar. :)

Maybe it was defensive indifference, geez, don't be such a killjoy!

You two have cleared something up for me: it was defensive indifference! It was the only play I remember in the game, and I know why it was so vivid for me... because Carter just ran and took the bag, there was no throw. It seemed so strange. I asked my dad and he called it a "stolen base".

Spicol, crack the fact whip baby! Good thing I wasn't keeping score, huh?

I hate to see the Expo's leave Montreal, but at least they won't be the Montreal / Peurto Rico Expo's anymore. I blame Bud Selig. The game would be so much better off if it didn't have a tool at the helm.

Keith, it might very well have taken place in the ninth inning of this game. Bring back any memories?

Spicol, crack the fact whip baby!

I wasn't trying to get fact picky...I was trying to track down the box score for you so you could fill in those memory gaps. Looks like Mike beat me to it.

Selig and the greety owner's of the past killed baseball in mtl, not the fan's, we once led the majors in attendance early 80's, put a decent club and they would come.

Breaking news ...

EXPOS RELOCATE TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Starr, Rove Named co-GMs, Dismiss "Roving Stars" Nickname
Source: Team Will be Called Washington Exposé

I bought the media guide up in Montreal, and was looking at attendance figures.

When the Expos swept the Phillies and tied for the wild card spot at one point last season, they drew 83,000 to four games. Not great, but still shows that when the team was competitive, people were willing to come out.

You guys are sweet, really. Thanks. I can't be sure if that's the game. I think it was in summer. Here's a clue I've always wondered about, the player I threw the first pitch to had the name "Ramos" on his back. I have no idea who this is.

I'm looking at the pictures now and "Ramos" wears 44. Gary Carter looked like he was getting ready to start the game. There's a really skinny black pitcher warming up for the start. I'm almost certain it's an afternoon game. The Pirates are wearing gold pants and black shirts.

Wow, Olympic Stadium looks enormous in these pictures. Some of the seats are so far away from the field. The game is not sold out but it looks like there could easily be more than 50,000 there.

I could post the pictures I guess, is there some HTML code I need to know? I don't know how to do it.

Thanks again.

The game would have started shortly after 2pm. There's a chance that game was in 1983 not 1982, it's tough to be sure.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=ramosbo01
Must have been 1983, Keith. COMN, Bobby Ramos wore 44 for the Expos, but did not play for them in 1982.

KT, would you settle for 1983? Bobby Ramos played on the 'Spos in 1983. Lemme find the game for you.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ramosbo01.shtml
OK, Keith, I think I'm getting somewhere. Bobby Ramos was a backup catcher for the Expos. COMN for his career record. He played with the Expos for a number of years, but not in 1982. He was back with them in 1983. So, I think it's definitely 1983.

Thanks Rob. I wonder why I haven't checked that myself in all these years!

Researchers at my disposal! How grand...

Next, the BBRadio team brings you an on-the-spot interview with Bobby Ramos:

BBR: Bobby, do you remember the time in 83 when you caught the first pitch thrown by a kid from Toronto?
Bobby: Sure, Toronto's always been a favourite town of mine, and the kid had a pretty good fastball. For a seven year old.
BBR: What was it like catching behind Gary Carter?
Bobby: I got very good at pinochle. Wanna play?

Expos home series vs. Pirates in 1983 : June 7, 8, 9; August 12, 13, 14; September 24, 25, 26.

Ramos appeared in all three series, so unfortunately we can't eliminate any on that basis.

June 7-8-9 was a midweek series, so it's likely not that one if it was an afternoon game.

August 12-13-14 was a weekend series, so we're likely looking at August 13 or 14.

I think it was probably the game on the 14th... Carter didn't steal second, but he did advance to second on a passed ball in the sixth. That would have looked to you like a stolen base.

Time for some Retrosheet work! If someone posts this while I'm working on it, they must be very fast at clicking.

If it was 1983, then it could have been:
June 7, 8, 9 (Tue-Thu series)
August 12, 13, 14 (weekend series)
September 24, 25 (Sat-Sun, no Friday game. Weird.)

Let's use process of elimination. Carter started all those games, so:

There's a really skinny black pitcher warming up for the start.
Assuming you mean he was an Expo, and assuming I can tell who was black or not by the names alone, we have:
Charlie Lea, Bill Gullickson (twice), Steve Rogers (twice), Bryn Smith (twice), and Ray Burris starting those eight games.

I'm almost certain it's an afternoon game.
Bryn Smith, Ray Burris, Bill Gullickson pitched day games. They are all listed as 200 pounds, though.

Conclusion: The game was on one of the following dates: August 13, August 14, September 24, or September 25.

Incidentally, there were 50,000 people at that game.

Skinny black pitcher... Ray Burris.

Burris is listed at 6-5, 200, but take it from me, he was slim.

Wow - I'm gonna make a printout of that Retrosheet and stick it in with my photos. Thanks a lot guys!

Blast! Craig not only beats me, he checks the play-by-play for the "Carter stealing second" game. AND he knows that Burris was black.

One thing: Craig, I've got the Expos playing Pittsburgh Sat Sep 24 and Sun Sep 25, not the 26th. They were in St. Louis that day. It doesn't matter in the overall picture, but I thought it was weird to have a weekend series without a Friday. I also wanted to have one small victory here. Never try and out-research a SABR member. ;)

KT: You don't recall if the Expos won or lost that game, do you?

The Pirates are wearing gold pants and black shirts

Hahahahahahahahaha. One of the ensembles from the mix-and-match uniforms disaster. Awesome.

So, anyway, I think we've got it. August 14, 1983. Pirates 5, Expos 3.

And it only took us 25.5 hours to find the game. :)

The Pirates are wearing gold pants and black shirts

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league=AL&city=Toronto&lowYear=1950&highYear=2004&sort=year&increment=18&=Display+uniforms
Incidentally, the Blue Jays uniforms from 1977-2004 can be found here (COMN).

Good ol' Ray Burris. He was the man in that NLCS against the Dodgers in 1981. I remember him starting Game 2 and going the distance in a 3-0 win, helping the Expos gain the split at Dodger Stadium. With any luck, Burris could've been the winning pitcher in Game 5 after 8 solid innings but Steve Rogers have to serve up a fat one to Rick Monday.

I thought for sure they were going to the World Series when they won Game 3 on a Friday night at the Big O. I slept well that night, with dreams of Montreal heading to the Show. But, of course, they lost Game 4 on a Saturday and were rained out Sunday before that fateful Game 5 on Blue Monday.

Blast! Craig not only beats me, he checks the play-by-play for the "Carter stealing second" game. AND he knows that Burris was black.

Every baseball fan of a certain age knows that. Just goes to show there are still a few of us old fogies around here;-)

I went to lots of games in the end of the Vlad era and I can't say that I'm really all that sad about the move. Most of those signs blaming major league baseball just sound like misplaced angst to me. Really, the expos had one of the worst sporting atmospheres this side of the Argos and looking back there isn't much evidence that the city was every really 100 percent behind the team.
One thing I will never forget about Montreal is the the latin american league that would play on sundays in the stadium in Parc Lafontaine. They'd pump up the music have kids dancing and hit some homeruns. The expos on the other hand played often like a farm team, and got only the echoing cheers of a few few diehards (I can't forget that little group of Cuban kids that always danced around anyone willing - like the place wasn't such a graveyard).
That team was a celebration of Montreal's latin american community. Vlad was that spirit on the field, when he went it didn't really matter anymore to me. A lost opportunity but it's one in a million.

Really, the expos had one of the worst sporting atmospheres this side of the Argos and looking back there isn't much evidence that the city was every really 100 percent behind the team.

Only if you were there, I guess.

I guess I was always resolved to tolerate Olympic Stadium. Now that I'm older I can't say any stadium is that great. The real pleasure is going to see the games, and to watch the players play.

Since most teams draw an average of 20-30,000 fans a game, there are going to be empty seats. What really matters is if the fans have some reason to party, and the way the Expos have been managed by three successive ownership groups, I can't say anyone made the required effort to get people in the door.

We are talking about a business, remember. The owner of the business gets blamed first in my book, not the fans. There is more than enough evidence that a crowd no worse than what a lot of other teams get would have shown up had the team been competitive, and treated its fan base with enough respect and intelligence to get the tickets sold.