Just when Montreal Expos fans thought they saw it all out comes this. It really is sad how MLB has gone out of its way to ignore that it once had a franchise in Montreal. True, Montrealers forgot about the Expos towards the end but how can the memories of the Expos be erased so callously? It was, despite the sad, waning years of the late 90s, a pretty decent franchise over all. It had its heritage and fine moments.
To see Brian Schneider and Livan Hernandez named in the all-time Expos-National Top 5 list was shocking to say the least. No Dawson. No Raines. No Rogers. How credible can this list possibly be? Chalk this in the 'fans can't be trusted to make real decisions' file. How can this be possibly rationalized? Do these hams realize how good the Expos were from '78 to '88? Carter and Staub made the list. Staub was more of a romantic figure. Guerrero passes him by a mile.
The all-time Expos list would HAVE to include - Raines, Dawson, Carter and Rogers. The fifth spot is up for debate. But any of Dennis Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Tim Wallach, Jose Vidro, Vladimir Guerrero, Grissom, Alou, Parrish, Galarraga, Reardon, Cromartie, Walker, Wetteland would rank ahead of Schneider and Hernandez. And these are just guys off the top of my head. I wanted to get the 80s and 90s edition of the Epxos in to show how dumb this list really is.
As I have said before, let us Montrealers wallow in our 2nd rate sports city by ourselves.
Closest I ever got to Montreal was changing planes at the airport during flights between Toronto and Fredrickton, NB. Sorry I never got to see the place.
ReplyDeleteMy street is bigger than Fredricton. Well, you can always look me up whenever you do - if you ever do. It really is a great place to visit even if I have my issues with it. Nothing like it in North America which has its fair share of great cities.
ReplyDeleteHis stats were alright. Vladimir Guerrero beats him by a mile. There is no question Guerrero belongs ahead of Vidro and maybe even Rogers. The only thing I can see to justify the clown who put this together is that they wanted (insisted?) on having National players in their. Short existence notwithstanding. In this light, Schneider and Hernandez (and Vidro) made the cut. But it's a silly way to look at it.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Vidro was Montreal's greatest 2nd baseman but the issue is all-time players regardless of position. Staub 'Le Grand Orange' as I mentioned in the post was a sentimental and fan favorite. Like Rodney Scott, Coco Laboy and Warren Cromartie. As for the zaniest Expo? Gotta be Pascual Perez.
ReplyDeleteThe Expos have indeed had their share of characters. Lee, Perez, Valentine etc.
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