NATIONALS HISTORY

The Montréal Expos joined the National League in 1969, along with the San Diego Padres. They were named for Expo 67, a world's fair that was held in Montréal. Their home stadium was Jarry Park, in Montréal. The Expos suffered through 10 straight losing seasons under their first manager, Gene Mauch 1969-1975 and three other managers. In 1979 they posted their first winning record with a 95-65 record, under manager Dick Williams. They would post five consecutive winning seasons, including their only division championship, in the split season of 1981. The Expos play their inaugural game at Olympic Stadium on April 15th 1977. A total of 57,592 watch the home team suffer a 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The attendance remains an Expos' record for a home opener. The Expos had several mediocre years in the mid 1980s under manager Buck Rodgers, but rebuilt and under manager Felipe Alou, who took the position midway through the 1992 season, finished second in the National League East in both 1992 and 1993. 1994 proved to be heart-breaking for the Expos. With a very talented group of players, including outfielders Larry Walker, Moises Alou and Marquis Grissom and pitchers Ken Hill, John Wetteland and a young Pedro Martinez, the Expos had the best record in major league baseball, 74-40 when the strike forced the end of the season. The Expos lost most of their star players through free agency and trades, and have posted losing records since 1994, except for a second place finish in 1996. The Expos played their final season in Montreal and finished in fifth place with a 67-95 record. Still, they were still able to have their share of bright spots. Tony Batista was the Expos' biggest run producer in 2004 by hitting 32 home runs and driving in 110 runs. Brad Wilkerson also became the first member of the Expos to hit 30 home runs, score 100 runs and walk 100 times in the same season. Right-hander Livan Hernandez was the Expos' lone All-Star representative. For the season, he led the Major Leagues in complete games and innings pitched. Second baseman Jose Vidro reached a milestone by hitting career home run No. 100 against the Giants on Aug. 18. The Montreal Expos was founded in 1969, is a Major League Baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Expos were the first major league team outside the United States. The team had its home arena at Olympic Stadium, Montreal. Montreal Expos Hall of Famers includes Gary Carter and Tony Perez. Gary ranks sixth all-time in career home runs by a catcher with 298 catches. Currently Antonio José Armas (born April 29, 1978), is a right-handed starting pitcher playing for the Montreal Expos since 1999. In 2003, Armas had a record of 30-37, with 391 strikeouts and a 4.11 ERA in 86 games. The team players wear uniform of color white, blue, and red. The Batting Practice jersey of Montreal Expos players features an advanced fabric construction that is designed to absorb moisture from the skin. It is made by carefully combining a micro-denier polyester waffle-knit design with reinforced seams, vented mesh panels. The Expos have won two Division titles in 1981 and 1994. The players' union initially rejected continuing that arrangement for the 2004 season, but later relented. Meanwhile, the league actively looked for a relocation site. Some of the choices included Washington D.C., San Juan, Monterrey, Mexico, Portland, Oregon, Northern Virginia, and Norfolk, Virginia. In the decision-making process, Selig added Las Vegas, Nevada to the list of potential Expos homes. On September 29, 2004, MLB officially announced that the Expos would move to Washington D.C. in 2005. The move is pending approval by the owners of the other teams (considered a formality) and approval of financing for a new stadium. In addition, on November 15, 2004, a lawsuit by the former team owners against Major League Baseball and the former majority owner, Jeffrey Loria, was struck down by arbitrators, which will, in all likelihood, end the Montréal Expos tenure in Montréal.