Welcome Sportspress247 Readers,
By Sports Desk | December 24, 2025
Let’s just put it out there: baseball has a gaping hole in its soul, and it’s shaped like a tricolor "elb" logo.
If you spend any time on baseball social media, you have seen it. Every few months, a viral post pops up showing an old photo of Vladimir Guerrero launching a home run at Olympic Stadium, or maybe a photoshop of a current star like Max Scherzer decked out in that iconic powder blue uniform. The caption is always the same variation of a desperate plea: "Bring them back."
Recently, the chatter has gotten louder. With MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred openly discussing expansion to 32 teams in the near future, the dream of the Montreal Expos returning is no longer just nostalgic daydreaming. It’s becoming a genuine movement. But why? Why are fans—many of whom are too young to remember the team leaving in 2004—so obsessed with a franchise that hasn't existed in two decades?
As someone who watched them play, I can tell you: it’s not just about baseball. It’s about righting a historic wrong.
The Trauma of 1994: Unfinished Business
To understand the demand for the Expos' return, you have to understand the heartbreak of 1994. You can't talk to a baseball fan in Quebec for five minutes without this coming up.
That year, the Expos weren't just good; they were a juggernaut. They had the best record in baseball (74-40). They had incredible talent like Larry Walker, Moises Alou, and Pedro Martinez. They were practically destined for the World Series. And then, the players' strike happened. The season was canceled. There was no World Series.
The Expos didn't just lose a season; they lost their momentum forever. Following that strike, ownership held a fire sale, trading away the stars because they claimed they couldn't afford them. The fans were crushed. The demand to bring them back today is largely rooted in the feeling that Montreal was robbed of its glory moment, and they deserve a second chance to finish the story.
It’s About the "Vibe," Not Just Market Size
When business analysts talk about MLB expansion, they talk about boring stuff like "media markets" and "corporate sponsorship." Cities like Nashville and Salt Lake City have great proposals on paper.
But baseball isn't played on paper. The Expos brought something unique to the league that has been missing ever since. It was the international flair. Hearing the announcements in French and English at "The Big O." The sheer fun of their branding. Even their mascot, Youppi! (who was sadly adopted by the NHL's Canadiens), was legendary.
Bringing a team back to Montreal isn't just plonking a franchise into another generic North American city. It’s restoring a distinct cultural corner of the baseball world. It makes the league feel truly international again.
Debunking the "Fans Didn't Care" Myth
Critics always point to the end. They point to the pathetic attendance numbers from 2001 to 2004 right before the team moved to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals. They say, "If Montreal loved them so much, why didn't they show up?"
This argument always infuriates me. By the end, the team was owned by the league itself. They were playing home games in Puerto Rico to make extra cash. The stadium was literally falling apart. The fans didn't abandon the Expos; baseball abandoned the fans first.
We have seen proof that the hunger is still there. In recent years, before the current stadium issues with the Rays and A's took center stage, the Toronto Blue Jays played preseason exhibition games at Olympic Stadium. The place was packed. 50,000 people showed up just for a practice game. That tells you everything you need to know.
The Road Ahead: It Has to Be Downtown
Of course, nostalgia doesn't pay the bills. If this rumor is ever going to become reality, one massive thing needs to happen: a new stadium.
Nobody wants to go back to Olympic Stadium full-time. It’s a concrete cavern with terrible turf. The dream scenario, the one that keeps getting floated by business groups in Montreal, is an open-air, downtown ballpark. Imagine a beautiful summer night in Montreal, watching baseball right in the city center. That environment would rival anything in places like Denver or Pittsburgh.
The Final Verdict
Will it happen? The competition is fierce. Nashville has a very organized group. Other cities are throwing huge money around.
But if MLB wants to make a decision with its heart—and frankly, a smart business decision that leans into the sport's rich history—Montreal has to be the pick. The constant online clamoring isn't just noise. It’s a reminder that baseball is better when "Nos Amours" (Our Loves) are part of it. It’s time to bring the Expos home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why did the Montreal Expos leave in the first place?
It was a combination of factors: poor ownership that sold off star players, a terrible stadium situation at Olympic Stadium, and declining revenues. MLB eventually bought the team and relocated them to Washington D.C. after the 2004 season.
2. Is MLB officially bringing the Expos back?
No, there is no official announcement. Currently, these are strong rumors and fan demands based on MLB's plan to expand to 32 teams in the coming years.
3. Which cities are competing with Montreal for an expansion team?
The strongest competitors appear to be Nashville (Tennessee) and Salt Lake City (Utah). Both cities have motivated ownership groups and plans for stadiums. Portland and Charlotte are also mentioned occasionally.
4. Does Montreal have a stadium ready?
No. Olympic Stadium is not considered suitable for permanent MLB baseball anymore. Any return of the Expos would rely on building a new, baseball-specific stadium, likely in downtown Montreal.
5. Why do people share photos of current players in Expos jerseys?
It is a way for fans to visualize "what could have been" or "what could be." Seeing modern stars like Max Scherzer or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Expos gear fuels the nostalgia and the desire to see the team return.
Read More:-
Golden State Warriors vs. Orlando Magic: NBA Showdown at Chase Center Ignites Global Interest
Powered by Sportspress247
){kind=link}
0 Comments