Montreal Expos:

The team without a home

Since their not so triumphant debut in the 1969 season, with a 52-110 record, the Montreal Expos haven’t enjoyed much success. The team has yet to win a National League East crown in 35 seasons. The closest they ever came was in the 1994 strike shortened season when they lead the division with an impressive 74-40 record. The strike then came down and the season ended so the Expos couldn’t claim the crown that they almost earned. One of the few bright spots in this franchise’s history came in 1988 when pitcher Pascual Perez pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. Last season the Expos found themselves playing their home games in two different countries and neither one of them was the United States. They played home games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada and at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Despite having to play in three different countries last year the team managed to hang in the wild card race for a majority of the season. The team ended up finishing with an 83-79 record which earned them a 4th place finish in the NL East behind Atlanta, Florida, and Philadelphia.

This off-season for the Expos wasn’t so much about what they gained as it was about how much they lost. One of the best players in the league, right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, became a free agent and left the Expos organization to join the AL West’s Anaheim Angels. Guerrero was hands down their best player and their sole All-star. There were a few other acquisitions that came about other than Guerrero leaving. Management traded catcher Michael Barrett to the A’s for a minor league pitcher and a player to be named later and in a blockbuster trade with the Yankees they moved stud right hander Javier Vasquez and got first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left handed pitcher Randy Choate. The Expos also picked up free agent third baseman Tony Batista who was formerly with the Baltimore Orioles.

With the loss of Guerrero, second baseman Jose Vidro and shortstop Orlando Cabrera will have to step up in his place with their bats. Last season Vidro batted .310 with 15 home runs, 65 runs batted in and 77 runs scored. Cabrera batted .297 with 17 home runs, 80 runs batted in and 95 runs scored.
The Montreal staff is lead by strong armed right hander Livan Hernandez. Hernandez finished last season with a 15-10 record and a 3.20 earned run average. In the bullpen, Rocky Biddle seems to be the man they will turn to in the 9th.

The Expos have two home stadiums. They play at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada and at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At Olympic Stadium its capacity is 46,406 but they averaged 12,662 there in 2003. With averages that low management decided to play more home games in San Juan where they sell out almost every game.

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