Expos(e) for X-Rays?

[seanofjapan]

I'm a lifelong Expos fan, so I'm of mixed feelings. On the one hand I'm ecstatic since, regardless of what actually happens, this is further evidence that Montreal is the leading candidate to get an MLB baseball team (whether its the Rays or an expansion team).

On the other, I don't see how the Rays splitting a season with Montreal is going to work. Its a worst of both worlds for both cities - Montrealers aren't Rays fans, they want a Montreal team to root for. Tampa Bay fans obviously don't want their team to be away for half their home games either.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Baseball in Florida has been a failure - the marlins and rays are 29 and 30 in attendance. The Jays are 22 so Canada’s only remaining team isn’t doing so hot either. A split season with only 41 games to sell in each city may be a match that works for both. It is an interesting concept worth a try. It may also help to hold games in Canada during the really hot months.

[KCRfan1]

The Rays ownership needs to petition to move the team to Montreal. If I remember correctly, Steinbrenner was instrumental in getting baseball to Tampa, however attendance has been a failure.

It's too bad because the Rays have fielded competitive teams.

If the Rays move to Montreal, I imagine they become the Expos and are an AL team?

[Tripredacus]

It would make sense for them to be an AL team, otherwise what team would you support moving to the AL? The Mets?

Also, does the Nationals still retain the copyrights to the Expos name and branding? Have the Nationals ever wore Expos throwback jerseys during a game?

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Tripredacus

It would make sense for them to be an AL team, otherwise what team would you support moving to the AL? The Mets?

Also, does the Nationals still retain the copyrights to the Expos name and branding? Have the Nationals ever wore Expos throwback jerseys during a game?

The Nats will wear Expos uniforms on July 6.

[seanofjapan]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

The Nats will wear Expos uniforms on July 6.

That is the first time they'll do that. They do own all the rights to the Expos name, logo etc but they don't do much to acknowledge the connection, they don't even recognize the Expos retired numbers (of Dawson, Carter, Raines and Staub - the only recognition they get of all places is by the Habs in the NHL who have a banner acknowledging their numbers. They also gave the Expos mascot Youppi a second life).

I do hope that they'll give those trademarks to whatever team ends up in Montreal. There really isn't any connection between Montreal and the team, I don't know of any Expos fans who transferred their allegiance to the Nats (the Blue Jays probably got way more) so there isn't any continuity between the two.

[egri]

Originally Posted by seanofjapan

There really isn't any connection between Montreal and the team, I don't know of any Expos fans who transferred their allegiance to the Nats (the Blue Jays probably got way more) so there isn't any continuity between the two.

This is anecdotal, but my relatives in Montreal transferred their allegiance to the Red Sox when the Expos left.

[bigred1]

My understanding is the biggest problem is the Rays lease at Tropicana, was called iron clad in an article I read. I think another part of the attendance problem is the location of stadium as well, if you live in Tampa, you have to cross a bridge to get to St Pete and the stadium, not even in Tampa. I have been to a few games there and the fans are great, stadium stinks, halls are narrow, I think if they could get a stadium in Tampa, they would have a better chance.