The Farewell Roadtrip
The Expos are a major league baseball team very close to the end of their time in Montreal, Quebec. Major League Baseball, who owns the team, are looking for buyers to move the franchise to a finacially more supportive market. Attendance has been down for years, and the team even plays some "Home" games in Puerto Rico. Possibilities that I've heard include Washington DC, Puerto Rico and Las Vegas, so my friend Kevin and I decided to take what could be our final shot at seeing baseball in Olympic Stadium.
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Welcome to Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
This is the view from my seat. Not bad for buying the tickets an hour or so before the game.
Before the game, there was an onfield ceremony to thank some of the employees of the park. Much nicer than a pink slip and a kick in the ass.
The starting lineups.
After a homerun to center field to lead off the game for the Expos, Astro manager Phil Garner complains about the ground rules of Olympic Stadium.
Lance Berkman steps up for the Astros. He went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 1 RBI. He's also in the only shot of home plate I took that wasn't painfully blurry.
Expos mascot "Youppi!" tries to get those who bothered to show up to cheer.
"Hey! What's that idiot doing?!" A local car dealer takes a spin on the field to advertise the latest product between innings.
Former Yankee fathead Nick Johnson warms up. Much to my surprise, he hit a grand slam in this game to ensure a home team win. (I still hate him tho.)
Seventh inning stretch sing-a-long time.
The final score. Expos 8, Astros 3. The Expos win streak extends to seven games.
A final shot in the Stadium, for posterity.
Kevin posing with Bill Lee. I left the red-eye in so Bill would look less crazy.
Attendance for this game was decent for Montreal, but downright anemic with respect to almost any other major league park.
An oversized novelty Expos jersey. (Some random kid shown for scale.)
People were buying souvenier merchandise like moths drawn to a neon flame. I admit to also being caught up in its warm, inviting glow.