Ceremonies, displays to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Expos
Members of the inaugural Montreal Expos team line up prior to the club’s first game at Jarry Park on April 14, 1969.
By Danny Gallagher
Canadian Baseball Network
Montreal doesn't have its team back yet but it didn't stop prospective team owner Stephen Bronfman from taking the initiative to announce 50th anniversary celebrations in the city March 24, 25 and 26.
Bronfman also infused sentiment from his father Charles, the original principal owner of the Expos, in a media release put out by Cision's NewsWire outlet.
"Charles and Stephen Bronfman wish to thank all fans, players, coaches, sports media and business partners for their support and loyalty to baseball and Nos Amours, the Montreal Expos,'' the release said in part.
The three-day celebrations get underway March 24 when the annual Exposfest gala takes place at the Embassy Plaza in Laval, Quebec, where more than 15 former Expos will participate in autograph sessions followed by a four-course supper. Some 700 tickets at $150 a pop were sold for the event. Grand prize is a 2019 Ford Mustang with tickets still available at $100 each.
On March 25 and 26 at Olympic Stadium, former Expos will sign autographs prior to the Blue Jays' exhibition games against the Milwaukee Brewers. Fans will also "get the chance to admire many items related to the history of the Expos – baseball bats, jerseys and balls as well as the outstanding other memorabilia of several favourite players – and relive the great moments in the story of the Expos,'' the release said.
Early franchise hero Rusty Staub, who died a year ago last March, and several former Expos will also be the subject of special tribute ceremonies before and during the Blue Jays-Brewers games. And some or most of the former Expos will head to City Hall March 25 to sign the guestbook.
"All these celebrations, over the coming days and months, will let us relive the greatest moments in the Expos' history and once again demonstrate our passion and our collective commitment to this great sport and unique team,'' Stephen Bronfman said in the release. "My Dad and I are deeply touched by all these gestures of gratitude, and we sincerely thank all Expos supporters, baseball fans, the people of Montréal and Quebec, the various governments, as well as all the organizers of these activities for their backing and encouragement, and all their tireless efforts in bringing baseball back to Montreal.''
Bronfman, Mitch Garber and several other businessmen are hoping to land a big-league franchise for Montreal, sometime in the next few years, either through relocation of a team or the expansion route.
Danny Gallagher will be signing copies of his Expos book Blue Monday for $20 each at Exposfest March 24 from 3-6 with some sale proceeds going to the Kat D Foundation and the Montreal Children's Hospital.