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Memo To Washington Nationals: The Montreal Expos Existed. Retire Dawson, Raines And Carter's Numbers.

The first Montreal Expo elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame didn't want to wear a Montreal Expos cap either. Gary "The Kid" Carter wanted to be depicted on his plaque in the hat in which he won the World Series with the 1986 New York Mets, but the decision wasn't his and the Hall decided Carter would be captured for posterity wearing the "eMb" of the Montreal Expos. When the decision was made, Carter told AP writer Josh Dubow, in a USA Today article entitled, "Carter to go into Hall of Fame with Expos hat", that it would be his honor:

"I'm so honored and proud to represent the Expos," Carter said at a news conference. "To me, it's not an issue. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision. There's a place in my heart for every team I played on. But this is the most noble thing."

Now the second Montreal Expo elected to the Hall, Andre Dawson, reportedly told Chicago Tribune writer Fred Mitchell that he, "...would prefer to go in as a Cub," at least according to ChicagoBreakingSports.com writer Paul Sullivan, who also quotes Hall of Fame president Jeff Idleson in his article entitled, "Dawson awaiting decision on Hall of Fame cap, source says he'd like to go in as a Cub", explaining that it's something they will discuss:

"'At the end of the day you want the logo to represent where this guy made his greatest impact,' Hall president Jeff Idelson told the Associated Press. 'He was impactful in Montreal. He was impactful in Chicago, and to a much lesser extent Boston and Florida, but it's more of a case sitting down and collectively make a decision.'"

Star-divide

Dawson made an appearance on Chicago Tribune Live to talk about his election to the Hall, and Mr. Sullivan writes that the 21-year MLB veteran, "...said he knew 'in (his) heart of hearts' which cap he would like to be wearing, but declined to identify the team and confirmed that a decision has not been made." Dawson's former teammate, and now-fellow-Hall-of-Famer Gary Carter told New York Times' writer Tyler Kepner, in an article entitled, "Montreal Expos, Forgotten by Many, Are Reuniting in Cooperstown", that, "...he hoped Dawson would go in as a Cub so an existing organization could celebrate his career. If that happens, Carter is prepared to carry the banner alone," since there's no hint and seemingly no interest in Washington, D.C. in the franchise's history. Elsewhere in the article, Mr. Carter addresses the franchise now known as the Washington Nationals, who have chosen to (aside from noting statistical benchmarks) ignore the Montreal Expos' past of their team:

"At least recognize and embrace the fact that they were in Montreal for 36 years."

The Montreal Expos existed. Vivent longtemps Les Expos. Mr. Kepner adds Larry Walker's to the list of names (along with Tim Raines and Vladimir Guerrero) of former Expos who might one day earn a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame...After that? Tim Raines received just 30.4% of the 75% of the vote necessary to gain entrance in the Hall this year. Eight of Vladimir Guerrero's fourteen MLB seasons were played in Montreal, but his one MVP award and all his postseason appearances took place with the Los Angeles Angels. Larry Walker played 10 of his 16 MLB seasons with the Colorado Rockies where he won his one MVP award and made one postseason appearance in 1995, and the only other postseason play in Walker's career came ten years later in '04 and '05 with the St. Louis Cardinals. So don't tell me not to care which cap Andre Dawson wears, enough of the Expos' history has disappeared already. I hope Andre Dawson gets to go in wearing the cap that he would like to wear, I just hope it's the Expos.

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Spos hat

The Hawk should be wearing a bronzed Expos hat, there’s no denying it. His lone MVP came as a Cub, but it was a courtesy MVP (he was on a last place team). 225 of his HR total came in Montreal, and I know he probably hates remembering the vicious turf at the Big O, his most impactful time in the majors came with the Expos.

I care what hat he wears, and it better include an “eMb” logo.

by Andrew Davidson on Jan 8, 2010 1:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Great to see G. Carter is finally happy.....

Dawson had better go in as an Expo. For Carter to hope that he goes in as a Cub just confirms his feelings of how unhappy he was to go in as an Expo. He was afraid that people would not remember who the Montreal Expos were in future…Now he is “comfortable” with the decision of the hall …….My feeling is that this would be yet another slap in the face to Expo fans in not giving the proper cap on the bronze plaque……While they are at it, why not give Raines a White Sox cap and Vladi an Angels cap!!!!!!!!!

by gospos1 on Jan 8, 2010 5:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Rock's going to ask to go in as a Yankee...uch...Raines is an Expo!!

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 Jan 8, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Are you serious?!?!

C’mon, the Rock is our poster boy for "80’s Expos!! The only pinstripes he had better have is Montreal pinstripes!!

by gospos1 on Jan 8, 2010 6:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Definitely kidding, nothing turns my stomach like remembering seeing Rock in a Yankee uniform...

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 Jan 8, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I entirely agree that Dawson should go in as Expo and I hope he feels the same. Also, I’m pretty sure Walker should/would not go as a Expo, but then I don’t think that decision will ever need to be made.

About recognizing the Expos, I’m torn. I’ld like them to be recognized but it’s not like anyone (I’m looking at you Minnesota) has Goose Goslin, Bucky Harris or Walter Johnson’s numbers retired. However, I’m of the school that just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn’t mean we should be doing it…. so yeah, Nats, get busy retiring some numbers and show Dawson, Raines and Carter a good time here in DC.

by superjuan on Jan 8, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Don't Forget Pedro

Pedro Martinez played four years for the Expos, and first came to national prominence with the team.

by d_c_guy on Jan 8, 2010 2:49 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

hate to rain on the Montreal parade, but...

I feel strongly against the Washington Nationals retiring the numbers of players that did not play for the Washignton Nationals (Jackie Robinson notwithstanding).

I feel bad for Carter, Dawson, Raines, etc. that there is no longer a franchise where they earned the largest part of their accolades as players, but that’s the harsh reality. It sucks for them, it sucks for Expos fans, and it generally sucks for MLB.

I suppose the Nats could honor the history of the Expos by having a permanent display available at the Park, like they do honoring the old Washington teams and the Negro league teams and the Hall of Famer displays on the stadium columns.

But under no circumstances will I agree with the idea of the Nationals retiring numbers for Expos players.

Desole’, Ed, mon ami. Vous toujours vous rappèlerez.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Jan 8, 2010 4:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thumbs up on both fronts

As far as I know the Twins didn’t retire any of the old Washington players numbers. But a teams name and logo belongs to the city whether bought or not (it’s their choice to sell it and we kept ours and Montreal kept theirs). That’s how we can honor the old Nats and Senators.

by Natastrophe on Jan 8, 2010 5:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Harmon Killebrew, who started with the Senators and moved to become a Twin...

…has his number retired by the franchise, after 7 years in DC and 14 in Minnesota…but there’s no precedent for any relocated team retiring #’s from franchise history, why not be the first….

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 Jan 8, 2010 5:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

+1

retro-fit Gary Carter!

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Jan 8, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I am OK with not retiring the players numbers but........

I really would love at least the logo or something showing the Expos history on the outfield wall….I would love an “old timers day” that brings back all the ball players that came through Washington or played on franchises that moved to or from Washington…….Also a Nats/Expos cap would be great!! They both share the same team colors already……

by gospos1 on Jan 8, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Have Dawson in as an Expo

Just don’t retire his number. Let the Cubs do that. I don’t want the Expos to be forgotten, but their history is a history of poor treatment by MLB as far back as 1994. That poor treatment is really what the Nats have in common with them until maybe right about now.

Honestly, too, bringing Carter and Dawson to DC would be awkward. They didn’t bridge between the two cities, and they would likely bring in Mets and Cubs fans to the game during which they appeared, if anybody. It would be sad to bring such baseball dignitaries to our stadium to simply receive polite applause.

+1/2St

by Positively Half St. on Jan 9, 2010 7:27 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

If it would bring in fans from other teams, Stan would be all over it.

I’d be happy with some pictures and wall hangings along the walkway outside the Diamond Club. High traffic area. Would be cheap and easy to do.

Maybe even have a bobblehead Youppi a few feet from the bobblehead presidents for us old Expos fans.

by RoscoeNats on Jan 9, 2010 10:27 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

While I agree about the awkwardness...

of bringing former Expo and other players to Nationals park for an old-timers game, it would not be unprecedented. I have seen other old-timer games where the home standing team had one team and they played a group of all-star old-timers from various other teams….I think in this case since the Nats have a short history, they might have to make one team up from the Washington teams of the past that have come and gone against an all-star team of the rest of the league….I don’t know……I think it would be neat to have former Expo players and Senator players on the same team…..Just a thought……….

by gospos1 on Jan 9, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Couldn't agree with you more...

Sure it’s been a few years since the team relocated but the franchise isn’t new. It came from Montreal and that’s what we should remember. Retire the numbers.

by tengoalyrunr30 on Jan 10, 2010 5:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Retiring Expos and the prior precedence

The Astros have retired the number 32 of ex-Colt.45 pitcher James Umbricht.

The Colt.45s were around for all of 3 years, with Umbricht playing in the first two before his tragic death prior to the 1964 season. Granted the Colt .45s didnt move as far as the Expos did, but there was a team name and stadium change between the 64 and 65 seasons.

I believe this is the only number retired for a franchise of another name though, and tragic circumstances where behind his immortality with a club now under a new identity.

Overall though, I say it should not be done. It is unfortunate that these players legacy is not honored by their now-defunct organization identities, but such is life. Cy Young, George Sisler, Walter Johnson – there are others more deserving of this type of recognition.

One final note – are the old Expos banners still displayed at the Bell Center, home of the Montreal Canadiens? If so, this keeps their legacy alive in the city where it matters most – much more fitting then Washington at least.

by TraderS on Jan 10, 2010 8:43 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Cubs to retire #8

The Expos knew what Dawson meant to the franchise and retired his number a long time ago. The Cubs are trying to sway the decision by saying if he wears a Cubs hat, they will retire his number. Weak. Dirty. Selfish. The Cubs are bums.

Wear the Expos colors Dawson.

by Expos4 on Jan 10, 2010 9:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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