10 - That
Expos lost its fan base after all English left in early 80’s.The Olympic Stadium continued to average over 18 thousand visitors per game until 1997. While they were not leaders in attendance by any stretch, it was still a solid base that a strong committed ownership can have grown from.
9 – That Atlanta Braves are on verge of their 13th CONSECUTIVE division title.
While this claim may be technically true, it has about as much merit as McGuire’s or Bonds’ juiced up home run records.
8 – Small market teams like Expos cannot compete.
Consistency. That is what having $$$ at your disposal every year will give you. Consistency. Assuming, of course, your team is not run by Monkeys (see: New York Rangers), a big budget will get you talked about as a contender every year. But every year, “Cinderella” or small-market teams make a run for it. Every year, one or more of “David’s” take on and bet “Goliaths”. Every few years, Montreal’s well-renown scouting and minor league development systems are able to churn out teams that are usually only a couple of pieces away from a playoff run.
7 – The people of Montreal no longer care about baseball.
No one, who has ever been to Olympic stadium and heard 10 thousand people sound like 30 thousand strong can ever make that statement. Most of us continue to follow exploits of Vladimir Guerrero or Orlando Cabrera on their new teams. Or Canadians that are making major leagues in ever increasing numbers. To go to stadium and give our money to MLB would be like victims paying to keep their rapist in jail. It simply isn’t right.
6 – The city of Montreal should not be important to MLB.
This is city where Jackie Robinson played before being called up into major leagues. This is city and team that Pete Rose played for when he collected his 4000th hit (there were over 48 thousand that day). This was first expansion city outside of United States. This is team whose pitcher was 11th in baseball history to record a perfect game. It can even be said that success of Expos paved way for a 2nd Canadian franchise to be established. The Blue Jays went on to become dominant franchise between 1989 and 1993. No matter what, Montreal will be remembered for its contribution to baseball.
5 – The Expos needed a new stadium downtown.
While there is no question that a stadium, in heart of downtown area, would have improved attendance, it is naďve to believe that it would have been anything more than a band-aid solution. The Expos needed a stable and committed ownership group, not a better stadium. If there is one thing about Montreal, their fan suffers no fools. Players would have to have been re-signed. Quality free agents would have to be brought in. Bottom line, Expos would have needed to remain a contender to have survived. All one had to do was to read papers, and check first few weeks of attendance with Mr. Loria bought Expos.
