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The city of Montreal, Canada is known for its rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and unique cuisine. But one thing that is often overlooked is its deep connection to Major League Baseball (MLB). For decades, Montreal has been a hotbed for professional baseball, with teams like the Expos, the Royals, and the Dukes all calling the city home at some point or another. But today, the question remains: is there a Major League Baseball team in Montreal?
MLB in Montreal History
The Montreal Expos were the first professional baseball team to call Montreal home, joining the National League in 1969. The team was originally owned by a group of investors led by Charles Bronfman and was managed by legendary skipper Gene Mauch. The Expos quickly became one of the most successful teams in the National League, making the playoffs in 1981 and winning the NL East Division title in 1982 and 1983.
The Expos Move to Washington
Unfortunately, the success of the Expos was short-lived. In 2004, the team was relocated to Washington, D.C., and became the Washington Nationals. This move was met with great disappointment by the fans of Montreal, many of whom had been devoted to the Expos for decades.
The Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were the first professional baseball team to call Montreal home, beginning in 1897. The Royals were a Triple-A affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and many of the Dodgers’ future Hall of Famers—like Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider—began their careers with the Royals. The team eventually moved to New York in 1960 and became the Buffalo Bisons.
The Montreal Dukes
In 1977, the Montreal Expos were joined by the Montreal Dukes, a Double-A team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dukes played in Montreal until 1987, when they moved to Albany, New York and became the Albany-Colonie Yankees.
The Montreal Mets
In 2000, the Montreal Mets were added to the city’s baseball roster. The Mets were a Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets and played in the International League. Unfortunately, the team was short-lived and moved to Norfolk, Virginia in 2002.
The Montreal Impact
In 2006, the Montreal Impact entered the sports scene. The Impact are a professional soccer team that currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS). The team has been a success both on and off the field, making the playoffs in 2009 and winning the Canadian Championship in 2013.
Minor League Baseball in Montreal
While there may not be a Major League Baseball team in Montreal, the city does have a rich history of Minor League Baseball. The current Minor League team in Montreal is the Quebec Capitales, who play in the Can-Am League. The Capitales have been a successful team, winning the league championship in 2009, 2011, and 2014.
The Potential Return of MLB to Montreal
Despite the absence of a Major League Baseball team, the city of Montreal has been actively campaigning for the return of a team. In 2015, a group of local investors launched a campaign in an effort to bring a team back to the city. This campaign received a great deal of support from the people of Montreal, with over 10,000 people attending an exhibition game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds.
Conclusion
At the moment, there is no Major League Baseball team in Montreal. But the city has a deep history with the sport and a passionate fan base that is eager to see the return of a team to the city. With the support of local investors and the people of Montreal, perhaps one day Montreal will see the return of a Major League Baseball team.
Keywords
- Major League Baseball
- Montreal Expos
- Montreal Royals
- Montreal Dukes
- Montreal Mets
- Montreal Impact
- Quebec Capitales
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Cincinnati Reds