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OT: MLB Thread

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 4h Hope so RT @TSNDaveNaylor: Is MLB going to return to Mtl someday? We'll ask former Expo Warren Cromartie at 5:30 pm. #TSN1050
 
XPOFAN said:
In the US, you don't really need risk takers as usually they hood wink the city and or state to pony up for the stadium.
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They get away with it in the States because they can play one city off against another. If the city you're in doesn't give you what you want, threaten to move. There's always another city out there willing to prostitute itself to attract a major league franchise. Seattle lost the Sonics and came close to losing both the Mariners and the Seahawks. But in the end the city ponied up the dough to build not one but two brand new stadiums to replace the Kingdome. When the city wouldn't build a new arena to replace Key Arena fast enough, the Sonics left for Oklahoma City. But the NBA is coming back because the city finally knuckled under on building a new arena.

But there's no "Oklahoma City" equivalent in Canada for MLB. It's not like you can blackmail the city of Montreal by threatening to put a team in Vancouver or Calgary because those cities won't pay either.

Fact is, despite Americans' aversion to taxation, when it comes to pro sports they are far more willing to commit public money to stadium projects than Canadians. If NHL teams are forced to pay for their own arenas, as was the case in Montreal and Vancouver, there's no way the Expos are going to get any public funds coming their way. Whoever owns them is going to have to raise all or most of the cash himself.
 
It doesn't help that demographics are changing in Canada as well. More kids are going into soccer and basketball these days. Canada may have the second most talented national basketball team in the world by the time the Rio Olympics are held.

Not to mention some posters on here mentioned that many baseball diamonds in Montreal were replaced with soccer pitches. You are not likely to bring your kids to baseball games if they don't play themselves.
 
Well you know, some of those rich Cuban- Americans down there should pony up and buy the team. It's basically become a Latin American sport anyway.
 
A new season begins without nos amours. Bright side is we are one year closer to Selig's retirement/death.

Some interesting stories this year though. Are Jays the team to beat? (Probably) Will Yankees not make the playoffs? (hope so) Is Washington for real? ( yes). Will the attendence in Miami take a nose dive :)smile(21): )

Play ball!!!!
 
Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC

If Clowe can pitch, Yankees might be interested. Sabathia gives up four in the second.
 
XPOFAN said:
A new season begins without nos amours. Bright side is we are one year closer to Selig's retirement/death.

Some interesting stories this year though. Are Jays the team to beat? (Probably) Will Yankees not make the playoffs? (hope so) Is Washington for real? ( yes). Will the attendence in Miami take a nose dive :)smile(21): )

Play ball!!!!
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I trust you will NEVER complain about me commenting on anyone.

Re no team in Montreal, no one there seemed to care when I was there last weekend. As you would say "let it go".
 
I can't tell you how many people I heard stating, damn if only the Expos were starting next week, oh yes I can, NONE.
 
But what's it to you anyway. They were"dead to you" years before they were dead. Yet you have to comment and be negative about it.
 
If you had, you still wouldn't want Selig dead or mention every season opening week that it is another year without the Expos.
 
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