MLB: Potential Destinations for Expansion

By David Hill | Apr 23, 2016

Apr 4, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; General view of the stadium with snow and a baseball before the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

6 of 6

Embed from Getty Images

1. Montreal

Consider Montreal a bit of a do-over for the MLB. The Expos had solid support until the strike in 1994 destroyed the fanbase, and after a decade of dismantling and penny pinching by Jeffrey Loria, the team was taken over by Major League Baseball and moved to Washington DC. The fans deserved a better fate.

More from MLB News

Yet, baseball remains popular in Montreal. Exhibition games played in the city have been popular, drawing sellout crowds, showing that the love of the game has not disappeared just because the Expos were essentially stolen away. The city wants baseball back.

Montreal also has a rich baseball history outside of the Expos. Jackie Robinson played his first games outside of the Negro Leagues in Montreal, spending a season with the Royals before joining the Dodgers. Baseball had been played in the city in some capacity since 1860, with the first franchise, the Montreal Base Ball Club, playing games in the early 1870’s.

Next: Five closers on the hot seat

The biggest problem facing expansion to Montreal would be finding a replacement for Olympic Stadium, but with the efforts of former Expo Warren Cromartie and the Montreal Baseball Project, the return of the Expos could be forthcoming when baseball expands once again.