Senator Youppi
- Wade
Washington Expos? No... D.C. Drifters? Maybe... Capital Moolies? Hmmm...
In perhaps the worst-kept baseball secret since Art Howe's scheduled departure, Major League Baseball will announce today that the Montreal Expos will be moving to Washington, D.C.
You might remember the Expos. In 2001, they, along with our hometown aberration, were on the contraction block. The Twins and 'spos were in such dire financial straits, playing with such mediocrity because of their market and stadiums, that the baseball world would be better off without 'em. The public (and, importantly, the player's union) were none too keen on the elimination of franchises and starting outfield jobs, so the plan was scrapped... until 2007, at least.
I haven't really follow what happened to the Minnesota team, but based on predictions I'm assuming they've been languishing in last place since then. The Expos, however, have finished an average of 22 games behind their division leader, lost their star pitcher and hitter to large-market teams, and (funny) been purchased by the owners of the teams that they play their games against. Must be nice to have an antitrust exemption.
D.C. mayor Anthony Williams (what happened to Marion Barry) is quoted as saying "I think we'll be in a position where we can have a celebration [Wednesday]." The good mayor must not be a baseball fan, considering their team batting average is .249 and their starting left fielder is named "Terrmel." Also, because the team is owned by baseball, the mayor best not get too attached to any star player lest Bud Selig decide that baseball would be better off if said player was starting for, say, the Boston Red Sox.
But good for them. Count me as the first person on the Moolie bandwagon. After all, considering the successful history of major league baseball in our nation's capital, how could this go wrong?
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