Pro baseball in Canada

[OMMF]

With the economy and fan support, do you think making the 94 playoffs would have made that big of a difference, now, 10 years later? Granted one playoff run may get you a baseball stadium, as it did against our wishes here in Seattle, but I can't see the Expos still being there even if the 94 season had been completed.

[CC97]

With the economy and fan support, do you think making the 94 playoffs would have made that big of a difference, now, 10 years later? Granted one playoff run may get you a baseball stadium, as it did against our wishes here in Seattle, but I can't see the Expos still being there even if the 94 season had been completed.

Well the Jays made the playoffs in '93 and we draw poorly when stacked up against MLB.

I think a '94 playoff run may have gotten them enough attention to get someone investing in a new stadium.

[OMMF]

With the economy and fan support, do you think making the 94 playoffs would have made that big of a difference, now, 10 years later? Granted one playoff run may get you a baseball stadium, as it did against our wishes here in Seattle, but I can't see the Expos still being there even if the 94 season had been completed.

Well the Jays made the playoffs in '93 and we draw poorly when stacked up against MLB.

I think a '94 playoff run may have gotten them enough attention to get someone investing in a new stadium.

I dont know that you can compare Toronto and Montreal. First the SkyDome was built before the Blue Jays had won the Championship and secondly Toronto had already demonstrated a loyal following before they had even opened the SkyDome.

Even with the Expos having their best season ever, they still didn't match the attendance from the year before or even a less successful season like 87 or 89. I just don't see Montreal as a baseball town, then or now.

Montreal Expos attendance for 15 years (Year W L % Div Rank GP HGP Att Stadium)

2002 83 79 0.512 2 162 81 812,045 Stade Olympique

2001 68 94 0.420 5 162 81 642,745 Stade Olympique

2000 67 95 0.414 4 162 81 926,272 Stade Olympique

1999 68 94 0.420 4 162 81 773,277 Stade Olympique

1998 65 97 0.401 4 162 81 914,909 Stade Olympique

1997 78 84 0.481 4 162 81 1,497,609 Stade Olympique

1996 88 74 0.543 2 162 81 1,616,709 Stade Olympique

1995 66 78 0.458 5 144 72 1,309,618 Stade Olympique

1994 74 40 0.649 1 114 52 1,276,250 Stade Olympique

1993 94 68 0.577 2 163 81 1,641,437 Stade Olympique

1992 87 75 0.537 2 162 81 1,669,127 Stade Olympique

1991 71 90 0.441 6 161 68 934,742 Stade Olympique

1990 85 77 0.525 3 162 81 1,373,087 Stade Olympique

1989 81 81 0.500 4 162 81 1,783,533 Stade Olympique

1988 81 81 0.497 3 163 81 1,478,659 Stade Olympique

1987 91 71 0.562 3 162 81 1,850,324 Stade Olympique

Toronto Blue Jays

2002 78 84 0.481 3 162 81 1,637,900 Skydome

2001 80 82 0.494 3 162 82 1,915,438 Skydome

2000 83 79 0.512 3 162 81 1,705,712 Skydome

1999 84 78 0.519 3 162 81 2,163,464 Skydome

1998 88 74 0.540 3 163 81 2,454,303 Skydome

1997 76 86 0.469 5 162 81 2,589,297 Skydome

1996 74 88 0.457 4 162 81 2,559,573 Skydome

1995 56 88 0.389 5 144 72 2,826,483 Skydome

1994 55 60 0.478 3 115 59 2,907,933 Skydome

1993 95 67 0.586 1 162 81 4,057,947 Skydome

1992 96 66 0.593 1 162 81 4,028,318 Skydome

1991 91 71 0.562 1 162 81 4,001,527 Skydome

1990 86 76 0.531 2 162 81 3,885,284 Skydome

1989 89 73 0.549 1 162 81 3,375,883 Exhibition/Skydome

1988 87 75 0.537 3 162 81 2,595,175 Exhibition Stadium

1987 96 66 0.593 2 162 81 2,778,429 Exhibition Stadium

[CC97]

Even with the Expos having their best season ever, they still didn't match the attendance from the year before or even a less successful season like 87 or 89.

Perhaps because in that season the Expos played 30 less home games than any other season.

[uncle_wiggily]

With the economy and fan support, do you think making the 94 playoffs would have made that big of a difference, now, 10 years later? Granted one playoff run may get you a baseball stadium, as it did against our wishes here in Seattle, but I can't see the Expos still being there even if the 94 season had been completed.

It would definitely not have changed much. A new stadium is not the be-all-and-end-all in this instance. Rising player salaries, the miniscule budget they to operate at and the state of limbo they were in over the last few years, all contributed to their declining interest and fan base. The fact they could not hold onto any of the stars they developed really hurt their organization. Fans will still be there through the dry spells, but when there is no possibility of making it into the light, that is when they start leaving in droves.

[OMMF]

Even with the Expos having their best season ever, they still didn't match the attendance from the year before or even a less successful season like 87 or 89.

Perhaps because in that season the Expos played 30 less home games than any other season.

You know the whole time I was putting that together I was like "Don't forget there was a strike, don't forget there was a strike" and I posted it anyway. Grrr. But I think my point about not being able to compare the 2 still stands.

[jkrdevil]

I think the had the 94 strike never happened then the Expos would be around for 1-2 years top. For most of their existance they have been in the bottom of the league in attendance. There were a few years in the early 80's when they were at the top but out side of that they have been at or near the bottom. Even in 94 they were in the bottom of the NL in attendance (and again ever team that year played a shorter season so it is accurate to compare them to other teams in only that year). The Expos get to the playoffs and sure they may do ok the next few years but they would be moving 3 or 4 years from now. Baseball in Montreal was struggeling in baseball before the strike, the stike was the thing that just finished it off.