Beginning in 1969 as an expansion franchise in Montreal, the Montreal Expos were the first major league team in Canada. They were owned by Charles Bronfman, a major shareholder of the Segram Company, and the team was named after the Expo 1967 World’s Fair, held in Quebec. The Expos’ initial park was Jarry Park, which transformed a public park with a small, unroofed grandstand behind home plate, into their home field. The park seated only approximately 3,000 fans initially, but was expanded as the fan base grew. The Expos eventually moved to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in 1981, after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held. Manager Gene Mauch and his team lost 110 games in their first season, and the following decade was not much more impressive. They would not give up however, and with good reason.
Emerging from a very talented group of young athletes, came a chance of winning games, and building recognition. In 1979, the team won 95 games, finishing second place in the National League East. The 1980′s had a winning roster of Gary “The Kid” Carter, who won three Gold Glove Awards and five Silver Slugger Awards, and is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, wearing the Expo’s cap. Tim Raines, known as one of the best leadoff hitters and base runners in baseball history, and Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, who was Rookie of the Year Award in 1977, and won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1987 were also contributing factors to more success. The explosive lineup also included Tim “Eli” Wallach, with three Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence, and two Silver Slugger Awards. Steve Rogers, the most successful pitcher in Expos history, was known by his stumbling appearance during his follow-through, and Bill Gullickson was Rookie of the Year in 1980 with the most strikeouts in a game by a rookie.
The Expos won their only division championship in the 1981 season that was shortened by the strike. The strike did not seem to affect their willingness to win however. Buck Rodgers was hired as manager before the 1985 season, and he led them to a .500 or better record, five times in six years to follow. Rodgers was replaced in the 91 season by Felipe Alou, brother to Matty and Jesus, and father to Moises, all respected baseball players. The team was sold to a group of owners in 1991, and in 1994, another power-packed group of players hit the field. Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Marquis Grissom, and Pedro Martinez formed another force to be recognized and had the best record in the major leagues, until the 1994-95 strike forced the end of the season again. After the strike, management lost many key players, and fan support.
Brochu sold the franchise to Jeffrey Loria in 1999, failing to close contracts on the park venue, and television and radio exposure, so the team lost media coverage, and fan support. In 2001, contraction, or eliminating the Expos was on the table, but instead, the owners of the other major league baseball teams voted twenty-eight to one that the Expos be moved to Washington D.C.in 2004. In 1905 to 1956, the Washington team name was Senators, or Nationals interchangeably, and it was decided that this new, old team would be named the Nationals, or “Nats”. The Washington Nationals now play in the newly-built Nationals Park, and are one of only two major league baseball franchises. With Davey Johnson as manager, the Nationals finished third place in the National League East. With the owner, manager, location, field, player, and name changes, the future looks bright for the once Montreal Expos, now Washington Nationals baseball team. From a team which was almost eliminated, it has forged on with dignity and pride. The team name, or location did not make the players, but the players certainly made the team, and they are still striving for the best.
