What's Left of the Expos

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 4, 2009 12:32 PM EDT Comment 14 comments

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/08/whats_left_of_the_expos.html

Only three players on the current 25-man roster appeared with the team in 2005: Ryan Zimmerman, Cristian Guzman and Jason Bergmann. Guzman was signed as a free agent in November 2004, becoming the first (marginally) high-profile player to join the Washington franchise. Zimmerman was a first-round pick in June 2005, but made it to the big leagues that same season, debuting on Sept. 1. Bergmann debuted on Aug. 28 of that year, and ended up pitching in 15 games.

"I was the last Expo," said Bergmann, who saved his Montreal uniform as a keepsake. "I pitched in an Expo uniform in [minor league] fall ball."

"I was an Expo, too," Balester said, proudly volunteering the information. "Drafted in 2004."

...only three or four employees have been with the organization since 2002.

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Are they TRYING to keep the Curse of the Expos going?

Sorry, if you weren’t at least on the 40-man back in Montreal, it doesn’t count. Nick was the last. Le mal des Expos est fini!

"It's not a secret, you don't need to be an expert on math to know that walks plus errors equals runs...." --Mannyger Acta

by Doghouse on Aug 4, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I draw the line at actually playing in Olympic Stadium in a Montreal uniform.

But I like that Bergman and Balester still feel a part of the legacy.

And only three left of the inaugural Nats team after all…….

We couldn't buy a AA pitcher for $2 million? Really?
by vanatsfan on Jul 31, 2009

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 4, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about the Expos' other home...Hiram Bithorn?

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Aug 4, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh. I read someone brought that up during the whine about the Nation's Capital sharing memories with Canadians....

Three countries……… Tri-Colour!!!

We couldn't buy a AA pitcher for $2 million? Really?
by vanatsfan on Jul 31, 2009

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 4, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Les mal des Expos vivant!!!!

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Aug 4, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two perspectives from NJ comments........

"I know most Nats fans don’t give a hoot about the franchise’s days in Montreal, which I can fully understand. But for this Expos/Nats fan since the team’s maiden 1969 season, this is sad moment that brings back a host of memories and emotions.
Whether it was attending games with my dad at Parc Jarry in the early 70’s, screaming my lungs out with friends and over 50,000 fans crammed into Olympic Stadium in the late 70’s and early 80’s, or there with my son in the last few miserble seasons with only 5,000 diehards, this seems like the last shovel of dirt onto the Expos grave. Goodbye one last time Les Expos, Go Nats Go!

Posted by: slopitchtom | August 4, 2009
__________________________

"No, slopitchtom; I can’t speak for the more recently arrived and transient population, but we who’ve lived long enough in Washington to have two teams torn away do understand and “give a hoot”.

I, at least, was saddened that our joy at the return of baseball meant anguish in Quebec. You have a gracious and glorious city with (from my one visit to le stade Olympique) great baseball fans who had built a great baseball heritage and history. You were treated horrendously poorly by the team’s own ownership as well as baseball’s powers that be.

So au revoir to Nick Johnson and the last remnant of les Expos, and — from this Washington Nationals fan anyway — always, always, merci Montreal.

Posted by: greggwiggins | August 4, 2009

We couldn't buy a AA pitcher for $2 million? Really?
by vanatsfan on Jul 31, 2009

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 4, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

GWIMH!!!! For those who are anagramphobic, greggwiggins is my hero...

I told one of the MASNSports.com writers what I thought DC should do, here’s my response and MASNSports.com’s Phil Wood’s response to my response…

Ed:

I don’t think it’s fair to say that the legacy isn’t recognized in any way. When they talk about players breaking franchise records they still talk about standards set by Expos. Why they choose to recognize statistical achievements from the franchise’s past and nothing else aboot the team’s history is beyond me. Rather than breaking from the past, why not embrace it. One game a year have a Montreal Expos day. The players will love breaking out the powder blues and the pinwheel caps and it can attract Montreal fans, French-Canadians everywhere, and potentially, if we all cross our fingers, Youppi!!!

Phil Wood:

You’re correct, Ed, that they still talk about “franchise” records, but I suspect that will disappear in a few years. The “Expos Day” idea is interesting, but I seriously doubt it would be a particularly popular promotion. I could be wrong about that, but much like the Orioles don’t recognize the Browns’ history, the same will one day be true for the Nationals.

EXPOS DAY!! EXPOS DAY!!! EXPOS DAY!!!!!

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Aug 4, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phil Wood slapped you down.

If you can’t convince them, confuse them. - President Harry S Truman

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Aug 4, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would go over better in Burlington , VT

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Aug 4, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree w/ Phil

A lot of people in the area have waited their whole lives for a team in DC and are just happy to have baseball in the District, like myself. There is a definate disconnect with the Expos and I think they will definately be lost as part of our “culture” or “history”.

The honeymoon period is over in DC though and Nats fans are hungry for a contender and ready to make their “own” history. Is Dunn anywhere close to single season HR record?

Its sad for Montreal, I don’t know who would show up if Raines or Dawson ever got into the Hall.

I think there is definately something to be excited about in DC and the future looks very bright.

by pas493 on Aug 5, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought this fanpost was going to be about

Montreal Expos merchandise, what’s left of it. I bought a Nike Expos all-blue hat that is surprsingly a nice fit, considering it is not fitted (it has the velcro-strap). It was $20, and now a days, that’s a bargain. Was surprised to see it, but happy none the less.

As much as I love Zimmerman, I miss Eli (Tim Wallach) at third base. Is he still the hitting coach for the Dodgers?

Long live the Expos! Washington may disconnect with the franchise roots, but I will always remember the eMb.

by Andrew Davidson on Aug 5, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wallach was my all-time favourite......... I think he manages now........ yep....

On January 12, 2009, he was named the manager for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in the Dodgers organization.

The next to last Expos season, I had extra cash and ordered authentic, home, away and BP jerseys. The home jersey was sold out. When they were given a reprieve the next season, I was shocked when I received notice that MLB was shipping my jersey and had charged my card when I didn’t have the extra cash…….
It’s okay now and I’m glad it happened…. those tortillas without even the beans……were delicious.

We couldn't buy a AA pitcher for $2 million? Really?
by vanatsfan on Jul 31, 2009

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 5, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs