The Inevitable Montreal Expos Relocation

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1890915

this is really good news

Senators, while the logical choice, does sound rather stodgy, and is associated with what was historically a loser franchise. I dread a push for some more politically-weighted name, like the Washington Freedoms or some goddamn thing.

How about the D.C. Dukes?

The Ambassadors: too awkward, and it contains the word "ass."
The Monuments: "Let's go Mons?" "Let's go 'Ments?"
The Potomacs: Hey, a team called the 'Macs could be huge!

The D.C. Potomacs!

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/col/story/235692p-202412c.html

As for dissident Orioles owner Peter Angelos, sources have speculated that part of MLB's appeasement settlement with him would be to move Baltimore to the NL East or give Angelos the option of owning the Washington team. If the latter pans out, MLB would auction off the Orioles.

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Peter Gammons said that Jerry Reinsdorf has expressed interest in having the White Sox move to the AL East (!) and Toronto going to the Central, too. JR apparently wants to guarantee the Sox never see the postseason ever again, if that's the case.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&page=caple_jim

And he's not the only writer I've seen who thinks it's even money they play one more year Up North!

the district government is touting its financing plan by saying that only businesses, not individuals, will bear additional taxes to pay for the stadium. but come on, who will the costs be passed along to? it's already ridiculously expensive to live here in comparison to the services offered by the district. i really want baseball to come here, but making citizens pay for it is stupid. also, i feel bad for montréal.

1) Embrace change and follow this new team as if it were my dear deceased Expos.

2) Remain bitter and wish plagues upon this new team in honor of my dear deceased Expos.

My dear deceased Expos also drafted and developed Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Tim Wallach, Scott Sanderson, Steve Rogers, Gary Carter, Warren Cromartie...

They had the good sense to trade Dan Schatzeder for Ron LeFlore in 1979, and they also had the good sense to dump LeFlore off on the White Sox after the 1980 season.

Kinda fitting that their last batter's name was Endy.

http://www.counterpunch.org/zirin10022004.html

fair use? try eminent domain.

i can't believe linda cropp is going to kill dc baseball!

i am so pissed, but only a dc politcian could fuck up such a golden opportunity.

linda cropp's proposal doesn't have the votes to pass city council and it looks like the tony williams/mlb plan does!

bienvenue, expos/nats!

I hear the Grays are the leading team name.

He got a hair cut. His bro was there too along with another guy (didn't recognize).

No sorrys required ... I was just noting how that post was rather inimitably GYGAXIAN.

i guess the latest wrinkle is that cropp pulled some parliamentary shenanigans to delay vote on the dc/mlb plan citing some source of private finanicing. if the private financing plan is legit, i'm all for it, but i have a sneaking suspicion that it's purpose is to kill dc baseball by continually putting off an up or down vote.

espn had a uni design contest. not that it matters, but i like the first and last.

agreed about the first and last. and the ppl designing alternate unis need to be shot.

http://www.core77.com/inconspicuous/

He's a smart and funny cookie.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpcDBuM2RlBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-expos-namechange&prov=ap&type=lgns

washington NATIONALS, folks

Chris Kahrl of BP summarizes the Nationals' two signings last week: "Jim Bowden flushes a bunch of money down the drain in Washington."

this is what sucks about mlb jerking dc around so long. they're still calling the shots! the franchise needs 1) owners 2) that will spend money or bring in sharp baseball folks that know how to maximize their dollars.

you didn't expect mlb to hire a sabr dude, did you?

http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/uni_ds_wash.jpg

(and, yeah...i think the monument is intentionally phallic. y'know...father of the nation?)

especially if tony williams doesn't run, she's got to be a favorite if the mlb accepts the newly amended proposal. she could then claim responsbility for holding mlb accountable to the people of dc AND bringing a team to dc.

a lot of ifs there, though.

tempered enthusiasm

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-baseball-new-stadium-1.4947176

Stephen Brunt, who I view as a pretty smart analyst, was on the Fan yesterday talking about this. (Weird to say, but I lived one street over from the Brunts as a kid; we played street hockey. Lost track of him after high school, then one day he was everywhere sports-related.) He said that for the longest time, right up till six months ago, he was certain Montreal would never get another team. He's revised that, and now he thinks it will happen.