Expos Moving to Washington DC.

HPStormRunner22 · #1 10-03-2004, 08:15 AM

I was wondering what everyone's thought's are on the Expo's move. I think this will be great for Washington, D.C.. A major leauge team is just what they need to get the city to grow even more.

jimmycoasterman · #2 10-03-2004, 09:23 AM

^Considering its sort of the capital of one of the most powerful nations in the world, I don't think a baseball team is really going to really grow. Considering they already have 3 other professional teams (Redskins, Capitals, Wizards), a major league baseball isn't going to be a huge addition.

However, I'm glad they got them out of Montreal, where they had all of about 23 fans a game.

Coaster Freak · #3 10-03-2004, 10:26 AM

I think this was an unfortunate move as I am a Canadian baseball fan. However, I am of the opinion that Major League Baseball is to blame for the demise of this club especially after what has happened with the teams ownership situation over the last few years. The Jeffery Loria situation was absolutely insane and never should have happened.

Carowinds 73-03 · #4 10-03-2004, 10:59 AM

I knew it was going to happen after i heard only 500 fans showed up for a save the team rally in downtown montreal. I agree that i don't see the team growing in DC but maybe. Years ago there were talks about moving the team to Charlotte,NC. Although it would be a great move for the city of Charlotte i personally don't see the city supporting a baseball team right now. Just look at out AAA team the Knights. Poor attendence for years not but that could be that the stadium is in Fort Mill and it's kind of a pain to drive to see a game. Once they move the Knights to Uptown then we'll see how much attendence grows and then hopefull a Major leauge team for us in the next 10 years. It would have been nice to have the Expos but i think it's the wrong time. But anyway congrats to DC although i still don't think many games will sell out.

Coaster Freak · #5 10-03-2004, 11:43 AM

[QUOTE=Carowinds 73-03]I knew it was going to happen after i heard only 500 fans showed up for a save the team rally in downtown montreal. [/QUOTE]

The reason for the poor attendance was because of how disenchanted people were with how MLB handled the affairs of the Expos since the early 90s. If you were to get screwed around long enough you wouldn't bother trying anymore and thats what happened.

coasterlove · #6 10-03-2004, 11:57 AM

[QUOTE=Coaster Freak]I am a Canadian baseball fan.[/QUOTE]

How is it being one of only a few? ;)

I'm not surprised this happened at all. You can't expect a team to stick around when the fans don't come out to the games. It seems unless you're a hockey team, you can't last in Canada. Just look at the Grizzlies of the NBA. I could possibly see an NFL team making it there if the NFL chose to expand out there. I'm curious what name the Expos will use in Washington D.C.

Carowinds 73-03 · #7 10-03-2004, 12:03 PM

Washington Patriots!!

**Leo C** · #8 10-03-2004, 09:08 PM

The Montreal situation is really sad. Their hot team in 1994 that probably would have went to the World Series that year got screwed over by the strike. For years I never understood that the logo was really a M. It was just a bad design if you asked me. Olympic Stadium looked kind of awkward with that roof that I thought was meant to open and close. It's sad they had to go on those road trips to PR. What a shame. Hopefully the team in Washington will be called the Senators.

**Phil** · #9 10-03-2004, 11:12 PM

Well this had to happen, the team was playing in front of 5,000 people a night in Montreal. I understand the whole "MLB screwed us over" arguement, but attendence that low is just ridiculous. It just didn't seem like a good environment for baseball.

The team should do well in D.C. but it will be interesting to see what happens with the Orioles.

splashy · #10 10-03-2004, 11:25 PM

The team will still be in Montreal in 2005. There are many reasons for this.
1) DC won't be able to pass the stadium bill through council.
2) and this is the biggest reason. the former partners of the Expos have a lawsuit against Loria, Selig and MLB for the ownership of the team and will get an injunction to prevent the move of the team.

See you at the Big O in 2005 watching the Montreal Expos.

Carowinds 73-03 · #11 10-04-2004, 01:10 PM

Wow, why are they even trying to keep the team after all this is what i don't understand. There going to loose it anyway so just let them go. If you can apply for a new expansion team if them MLB will give them another one.

I agree, it's going to be very intresting to see what happens woth the Orioles. I'll bet attendence will drop a bit.

Coaster Freak · #12 10-04-2004, 01:37 PM

[QUOTE=Carowinds 73-03]Wow, why are they even trying to keep the team after all this is what i don't understand. There going to loose it anyway so just let them go. If you can apply for a new expansion team if them MLB will give them another one. [/QUOTE]

The situation in Montreal was very messy. The group that is seeking the injunction made up the majority of the ownership group financially when combined (from what I've heard about 70% of the team) but Jeffrey Loria was given control as he had the largest individual stake. Where it gets messy is when Loria and MLB made an agreement to absolve the ownership group of the Expos and give Loria ownership of the Marlins. This was where it got messy as the other group was pretty much hung out to dry and their money effectively lost. So the lawsuit in question is an attempt to get back some of the money that they've lost and cause MLB to lose even more as a result of their deception.

HPStormRunner22 · #13 11-20-2004, 03:41 PM

^ Well the team will be playing in RFK Stadium in DC till a new stadium will be built. I think its time to face the facts you'll be losing your team.