Expos scrapbook

[Augustin_"Gus"]

Tought we could use this thread as a combination of Expos trivia, this day in Expo history et al. But it's like a spanish hostel, we'll find on this thread only what we bring.

I'll start with a trivia question. There will be no expo opening day this year, of course h . But let me ask you: This stadium as hosted more Expos opening games than any other.

Little hint: It's not Olympic stadium.

[Ontarioguy]

I didn't look it up but I'm guessing that it's either Shea or the Vet. I'll go with Shea.

[Augustin_"Gus"]

I didn't look it up but I'm guessing that it's either Shea or the Vet. I'll go with Shea.

That's the mindset. Anyone can look something up. We'll see who can take good guess' based on solid knowledge of the team.

[Monarchs29]

I'm gonna guess Cincinnati. And what ever the name of that stadium is/was.

If I recall correctly, the Expos used to open the season for a lot of years, maybe in a row, playing the Reds.

And that's another thing I have against MLB schedulers. I don't have the numbers, but inquiring minds might like to know this.

How many seasons did the Expos open and close on the road?

[Augustin_"Gus"]

Out of 36 years, the Expos opened on the road 30 times. I agree with you Monarch, it's not normal that the team opened more often in the stadium we are looking for than at the Big O. I don't have data for season closer's though.

We havent got the right answer yet.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Wild guess. Jarry Park?

[Chisox73]

I'm going to take a stab at it and say Veterans Stadium.

[Augustin_"Gus"]

The team opened a grand total of 0 seasons at Jarry park.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The team opened a grand total of 0 seasons at Jarry park.

The Expos started playing in 1969. The Olympics were in 1976. So do you really mean that they didn't have any opening day at home during this time span?

[Augustin_"Gus"]

I actually attended the first ever season opener played in Montréal, a 10-6 loss to the Mets on March 4th, 1988

[Ontarioguy]

Anyone get it right yet AG? If not I'll go with Busch Stadium.

[Augustin_"Gus"]

Anyone get it right yet AG? If not I'll go with Busch Stadium.

It's not Busch, nor any of the stadiums that have been mentionned so far.

[Chisox73]

The Expos started playing in 1969. The Olympics were in 1976. So do you really mean that they didn't have any opening day at home during this time span?

Perhaps the biggest reason the Expos never opened at home during the Jarry Park years was the weather.I've never been to Montreal,but April is a pretty cold month there,and the chances of snow up there during the first couple of weeks are pretty good.

That's my take on that.

Back to the question at hand,I'll give it another shot and say Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

[Monarchs29]

By the process of elimination, and nothing else, it has to be either;

Wrigley Field in Chicago, or Three Rivers in Pittsburgh.

Both these teams used to be in the NLE, and Pittsburgh should still be there, but's that's another argument.

I'm gonna go with Wrigley Field.

[Augustin_"Gus"]

I'm giving Monarch half a point. The Expos have opened more seasons in Three Rivers Stadium (considered by many has one of the worst parks of all time) than anywhere else. Here's the complete list.

Three Rivers, Pittsburgh: 7
Stade Olympique: 6
Shea Stadium, NY: 4
Riverfront, Cincinnati: 4
Veterans Stadium, Philly: 3
Busch Stadium, St-Louis: 3
Wrigley Field, Chicago: 3
Astrodome, Houston: 2
Crosley Field, Cincinnati: 1
County Stadium, Atlanta: 1
Turner Field, Atlanta: 1
Pro Player, Miami: 1

Biggest opening day crowd: 55 456, on april 5th, 1993 at Riverfront. smallest: 4802 on april 6th, 1983 at Wrigley.

Chisox is right about the weather. It can be pretty darn cold here in early april. But usually, the team opened in Montréal about a week after opening on the road, in tropical venues like NY, Chicago or Pittsburgh. Was it really worth it not having an opening day at home for almost 20 years, to save one week? It can be every bit as nasty in Montréal on april 15th, than on april 8th.

While were on the topic on opening day, I would like to nominate this lineup as the weakest ever fielded by the 'Spos for the inaugural game.

April 6th, 1987 at Cincinnati:

Alonzo Powell, LF
Mitch Webster, RF
Andrés Galarraga, 1st
Hubie Brooks, SS
Tim Wallach, 3rd
Vance Law, 2nd
Jeff Reed, C
Reid Nichols, CF
Floyd Youmans, SP

Oddly enough, they lost 11 to 5...