Expos moving to Boston???

Hammer755 · 10-24-2002, 12:53 PM

Possibly, for a season at least.

Red Sox, Expos would share Fenway for season

CommishJoe · 10-24-2002, 12:54 PM

Yeah, I read that. Heck, they could play in Boise for a year and still draw more fans.

LivnLegend · 10-24-2002, 01:03 PM

Quote:

"This could be a win-win-win for all the parties involved except the 200 season ticket-holders in Montreal," a source told the Daily News

LOL!!
200?

10-24-2002, 01:42 PM

Bud Selig and Major League Baseball are a bunch of idiots ...

10-24-2002, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CommishJoe
Yeah, I read that. Heck, they could play in Boise for a year and still draw more fans.

Could this be because Montreal has the worst stadium in the league? If they had a new stadium and restored trust in the fans it could change.

Bud writes a letter to the Twins saying "I look forward to our future together" or something to that effect. Not the Expos though. If the Twins and Expos records this year had been switched (with Montreal making the playoffs instead of Minnesota), would that letter have gone to Montreal instead? I think so. Bud would probably have moved the Twins next year instead. Selig is spineless and has absolutely no idea what he's doing.

drprestwood · 10-24-2002, 01:53 PM

You're right that Bud would have send that letter to the Expos if they had made the playoffs AND shown that they could draw fans.

Baseball would not contract of move the Twins. The fan base is too large. The Twins are the primary baseball team for MN, IA, ND, SD, and some of Western Wisconsin. Without Pohlad being an idiot or Selig wanting to expand the Brewers' market, the discussion wouldn't have happened.

Would a new stadium do a lot for the Expos? I'm asking, because I really don't know enough about the subject.

A stadium would be a boon for the Twins financially...they have few luxury boxes but primarily NO dedicated parking. The Twins make zero dollars for parking. Pretty weak.

vtbub · 10-24-2002, 02:26 PM

It might, but the team has been run so poorly and has been discussed, a 3rd banana team up there with no coverage 90 miles away.

A new stadium would be a plus, but real world situations take over here.

1) Who would fund it?
2) Even if you did build a new stadium, would it take the team off the contraction table in 2007?
3) The dollar. 1 cdn dollar=.68 us. NHL franchises are struggling with that issue as well. Attracting/keeping talent is hard because taxes are so much higher in Canada.
4) Seperation. What happens then?
5) Do the fans really care?

Pro sports in general are hurting in Canada. Vancouver lost the Grizzlies. Winnipeg and Quebec lost NHL franchises. The Blue Jays aren't printing cash either. Molson couldn't afford to keep the Habs.

Is Boston the answer? It would be cool for the year. My guess is that games would get covered and they would draw better. Maybe Bob Kraft could buy the team and put them in Hartford which would draw well from visiting teams until the Expos rebuild.

Stay in Montreal? It can't be any worse. The only reason they should is if a Quebec buyer can be found. If this is a lame duck team, then no.

San Juan? A team in the Carribean makes sense. If not Puerto Rico then Havanna when Cuba gets settled. It would be a great way to test this theory.

DC? They might as well stay in Montreal. They aren't the Redskins.

Vancouver? New Orleans? Portland? Charlotte? Boise?

drprestwood · 10-24-2002, 02:29 PM

Charlotte would be good. North Carolina could support a team fairly well. I just moved to the Triangle, and everybody here is a Braves fan. That's enough reason to put a team down here...get them to kick the habit.

LivnLegend · 10-24-2002, 02:55 PM

All I know is Boston would feature two teams that won't be in the World Series!

Hammer755 · 10-24-2002, 03:07 PM

I pretty certain that the only true answer is Washington (or possibly Portland). Boston probably couldn't support 2 teams - they couldn't even during baseball's 'Golden Era', let alone now, during the 'Greed Era'.

San Juan, or any other Caribbean location, is not a viable option simply because of the lack of wealth in the region. There's just not enough affluence among the general population in that area to support selling out the stadium & luxury boxes for 81 games and let's face it, anymore it's all about gate & luxury box revenue.

Charlotte sounds intriguing, but look how quickly support disappeared for the Hornets. I understand a large part of that was due to George Shinn, but a city shouldn't let an owner run the team out of town.

crackpott · 10-24-2002, 03:39 PM

As for Olympic Stadium, does it bother anyone else that the worst stadium in the majors cost $1 billion dollars? And that was pre 80's inflation... That's over $3 billion by todays standards... that has to be one of the worst architectural uses of money ever.

Joe Canadian · 10-24-2002, 04:17 PM

Another reason why MLB is going straight down the toilet. I'm all for saving the Expos, but if it can't be done lets move on. Whomever is advising Selig on this matter is not the smartest guy in the world.

MJohnson · 10-24-2002, 04:22 PM

I can see it know, the Expos move to Boston and they make the World Series while Boston misses out once again. Either that or the Expos sweep the Sox in the Series

CoachK · 10-24-2002, 05:16 PM

The reason Montreal would play in Boston instead of any other place is because the two are so close, and so many Boston fans (like me) travel up to Montreal to watch a few games. I also have the luxury of having Vladimir Guerrero as my favorite player, so this would be great to see for me. I doubt it would happen anyways

Long_Long_Name · 10-24-2002, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Juckett
3) The dollar. 1 cdn dollar=.68 us. NHL franchises are struggling with that issue as well. Attracting/keeping talent is hard because taxes are so much higher in Canada.

Pro sports in general are hurting in Canada. Vancouver lost the Grizzlies. Winnipeg and Quebec lost NHL franchises. The Blue Jays aren't printing cash either. Molson couldn't afford to keep the Habs.

Vancouver? New Orleans? Portland? Charlotte? Boise?

Aren't you contradicting yourself by saying all these things about Canada, then saying Vancouver could be a good market?

vtbub · 10-24-2002, 09:10 PM

<<Aren't you contradicting yourself by saying all these things about Canada, then saying Vancouver could be a good market?>>

Yes and no. Another post joked about moving to Boise, so I wasn't overly serious about that last sentence. But, you are right, any market in Canada would, with the exception of Seperation, be subject to most of what I wrote. I don't think Vancouver would be a good market, and switching from Stade Olympique to BC Dome would be an improvement.

MLB needs to decide in short order what they want to do with franchise. I know that you haven't agreed with what I've said in the in the past, but for all parties involved, if the Expos are done with Montreal, they need to play someplace else in 2003.

twins15 · 10-24-2002, 09:36 PM

I don't see this happening. I don't think that they could get enough attendance with the red sox in town.

vtbub · 10-24-2002, 09:41 PM

They would draw close to 2 million, my guess. Lots of NL fans here in New England, at least 9 games with the Braves and Mets and dates with the Cubs and Astros(Bagwell). They'd do well for a season, but not for the long haul.

edm · 10-25-2002, 02:34 AM

I'm in Philly and I would love to travel up to Boston to see a few Phillies-Expos games next season. I don't know if it will actually happen or not, but I think its a great idea. Finally Selig is thinking with his top half instead of the other half he usually thinks with.

MJohnson · 10-25-2002, 07:43 AM

I think it would work for a season, especially if the Expos' ticket prices were significantly less than the Sox prices

10-24-2002, 12:53 PM	#1
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Expos moving to Boston??? Possibly, for a season at least. Red Sox, Expos would share Fenway for season

10-24-2002, 12:54 PM	#2
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Yeah, I read that. Heck, they could play in Boise for a year and still draw more fans. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

10-24-2002, 02:55 PM	#9
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	All I know is Boston would feature two teams that won't be in the World Series! __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

10-24-2002, 03:39 PM	#11
crackpott Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,961	As for Olympic Stadium, does it bother anyone else that the worst stadium in the majors cost $1 billion dollars? And that was pre 80's inflation... That's over $3 billion by todays standards... that has to be one of the worst architectural uses of money ever. __________________ Abandoned Planet - Check it out. The photos don't suck anymore.

10-24-2002, 04:17 PM	#12
Joe Canadian All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 1,296	Another reason why MLB is going straight down the toilet. I'm all for saving the Expos, but if it can't be done lets move on. Whomever is advising Selig on this matter is not the smartest guy in the world. __________________ My Twitter \| My Blog \| My Music Fan of the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, IceCaps, Lakers, and Broncos.

10-24-2002, 01:42 PM	#4
ExposFan08 Guest Posts: n/a	Bud Selig and Major League Baseball are a bunch of idiots ...

10-24-2002, 01:53 PM	#6
drprestwood All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,501	You're right that Bud would have send that letter to the Expos if they had made the playoffs AND shown that they could draw fans. Baseball would not contract of move the Twins. The fan base is too large. The Twins are the primary baseball team for MN, IA, ND, SD, and some of Western Wisconsin. Without Pohlad being an idiot or Selig wanting to expand the Brewers' market, the discussion wouldn't have happened. Would a new stadium do a lot for the Expos? I'm asking, because I really don't know enough about the subject. A stadium would be a boon for the Twins financially...they have few luxury boxes but primarily NO dedicated parking. The Twins make zero dollars for parking. Pretty weak.

10-24-2002, 02:26 PM	#7
vtbub Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 143	It might, but the team has been run so poorly and has been discussed, a 3rd banana team up there with no coverage 90 miles away. A new stadium would be a plus, but real world situations take over here. 1) Who would fund it? 2) Even if you did build a new stadium, would it take the team off the contraction table in 2007? 3) The dollar. 1 cdn dollar=.68 us. NHL franchises are struggling with that issue as well. Attracting/keeping talent is hard because taxes are so much higher in Canada. 4) Seperation. What happens then? 5) Do the fans really care? Pro sports in general are hurting in Canada. Vancouver lost the Grizzlies. Winnipeg and Quebec lost NHL franchises. The Blue Jays aren't printing cash either. Molson couldn't afford to keep the Habs. Is Boston the answer? It would be cool for the year. My guess is that games would get covered and they would draw better. Maybe Bob Kraft could buy the team and put them in Hartford which would draw well from visiting teams until the Expos rebuild. Stay in Montreal? It can't be any worse. The only reason they should is if a Quebec buyer can be found. If this is a lame duck team, then no. San Juan? A team in the Carribean makes sense. If not Puerto Rico then Havanna when Cuba gets settled. It would be a great way to test this theory. DC? They might as well stay in Montreal. They aren't the Redskins. Vancouver? New Orleans? Portland? Charlotte? Boise?

10-24-2002, 02:29 PM	#8
drprestwood All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,501	Charlotte would be good. North Carolina could support a team fairly well. I just moved to the Triangle, and everybody here is a Braves fan. That's enough reason to put a team down here...get them to kick the habit.

10-24-2002, 03:07 PM	#10
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	I pretty certain that the only true answer is Washington (or possibly Portland). Boston probably couldn't support 2 teams - they couldn't even during baseball's 'Golden Era', let alone now, during the 'Greed Era'. San Juan, or any other Caribbean location, is not a viable option simply because of the lack of wealth in the region. There's just not enough affluence among the general population in that area to support selling out the stadium & luxury boxes for 81 games and let's face it, anymore it's all about gate & luxury box revenue. Charlotte sounds intriguing, but look how quickly support disappeared for the Hornets. I understand a large part of that was due to George Shinn, but a city shouldn't let an owner run the team out of town.

10-24-2002, 04:22 PM	#13
MJohnson Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: under an overpass Posts: 459	I can see it know, the Expos move to Boston and they make the World Series while Boston misses out once again. Either that or the Expos sweep the Sox in the Series

10-24-2002, 05:16 PM	#14
CoachK Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 68	The reason Montreal would play in Boston instead of any other place is because the two are so close, and so many Boston fans (like me) travel up to Montreal to watch a few games. I also have the luxury of having Vladimir Guerrero as my favorite player, so this would be great to see for me. I doubt it would happen anyways

10-24-2002, 09:10 PM	#16
vtbub Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 143	<<Aren't you contradicting yourself by saying all these things about Canada, then saying Vancouver could be a good market?>> Yes and no. Another post joked about moving to Boise, so I wasn't overly serious about that last sentence. But, you are right, any market in Canada would, with the exception of Seperation, be subject to most of what I wrote. I don't think Vancouver would be a good market, and switching from Stade Olympique to BC Dome would be an improvement. MLB needs to decide in short order what they want to do with franchise. I know that you haven't agreed with what I've said in the in the past, but for all parties involved, if the Expos are done with Montreal, they need to play someplace else in 2003.

10-24-2002, 09:36 PM	#17
twins15 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Area 51 Posts: 4,792	I don't see this happening. I don't think that they could get enough attendance with the red sox in town. __________________ "Ah man we're just hungry man" - Dovonte Edwards Bismarck Boy Scouts of the OTBL - league yes-man Ross Gload at baseball-reference.com Book Quotes and Book Lists

10-24-2002, 09:41 PM	#18
vtbub Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 143	They would draw close to 2 million, my guess. Lots of NL fans here in New England, at least 9 games with the Braves and Mets and dates with the Cubs and Astros(Bagwell). They'd do well for a season, but not for the long haul.

10-25-2002, 02:34 AM	#19
edm All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,999	I'm in Philly and I would love to travel up to Boston to see a few Phillies-Expos games next season. I don't know if it will actually happen or not, but I think its a great idea. Finally Selig is thinking with his top half instead of the other half he usually thinks with.

10-25-2002, 07:43 AM	#20
MJohnson Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: under an overpass Posts: 459	I think it would work for a season, especially if the Expos' ticket prices were significantly less than the Sox prices