Houston @ Washington Suspended game

[cc6]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Decent park, horrible team, tough market. A crying shame that Montreal lost the team -- when they put good product on the field, the fans went to the park.

During the 1993 playoff run, the Phils and Expos were playing a 3-game set and we drove up from PA to watch the games. The place was packed 3 games in a row. The strike killed the Expos. They went from having the best team in baseball at the time of the strike to having a firesale right after it was resolved.

It wasn't just not having a World Series that harmed them. They released Pedro Martinez after the 1997 season, without approaching him to discuss a contract. They chose not to discuss a contract with Larry Walker after the 1994 season, so he too had no choice but to sign somewhere else.

There were other things that hurt them. Felipe Alou being fired. The team not being able to afford a new ballpark. Jeffrey Loria abandoning the team and stealing all their scouts and coaches. Bud Selig wanting the team contracted. Making it to the top of the wild card race in August of 2003, then going on a huge downhill slide because MLB wouldn't let them call up one player. Playing home games in Puerto Rico, including a three game set against the Blue Jays on Canada Day. It's great that at least they were able to last as long as they did.