redsoxman
12-16-2003, 07:52 PM
As it stands, Expos players are not enthralled with splitting their schedule between two homes -- especially given their distance from one another. In spite of that, there is a plan in motion to keep them as a two-city team on a permanent basis, albeit in two places much closer to one another. David King of the San Antonio Express News is reporting that Bexar (pronounced bear) County Judge Nelson Wolf is working on a deal that would land the Expos in Big Tony on a shared basis with Monterrey, Mexico.
This is not the first time that an Expos-to-Central-Texas story has circulated. On January 16 of this year, the Dallas Morning News discussed just such a move only without the Monterrey component. The single greatest stumbling block is the lack of a proper facility in San Antonio. Wolf talks of expanding the existing minor league facility to 25,000, reasoning the Expos never draw that in Montreal, so it would be all that is required. The last team to attempt to play major league baseball in a stadium of that size was ...the Montreal Expos. Prior to moving into the great pit known as Olympic Stadium, they did their homework in Jarry Park, which held about 28,000. The Seattle Pilots spent their lone year at Sicks Stadium, which held 25,000. Clearly, these are not facilities to which a prospective big league city should aspire.
Carl Everett behaved well in both Texas and Chicago.
This discussion comes on a day when the Expos landed a talented free agent to call their own. Much-traveled Carl Everett has signed a two-year deal for $7.5 million with an option for a third year. Given the circumstances in Montreal, this has to be considered a minor coup for general manager Omar Minaya -- in spite of Everett's long-held reputation as a center of controversy. He appeared to leave that behind during his last two stops in Texas and Chicago where he made the All-Star team in 2003.
Regarding Everett, Minaya told Peter Barrouquere of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, "One thing I like about Carl Everett is the fact that this guy comes to play every day. You talk to the general managers, and you talk to (White Sox general manager) Kenny Williams and other managers that Carl played for, between the white lines, this guy is what we consider a warrior. The fact that he has the ability to play three outfield positions to me is very important."
His presence will do some small part to make up for the departed Vladimir Guerrero. Everett actually had better overall numbers than Guerrero in 2003, but that was owing to Guerrero having missed 50 games to injury. In spite of his long absence, the Expos still managed to finish four games over .500, although their record with him missing was worse. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times details the deal and explains how it is that Everett -- a Tampa native -- passed on the opportunity to play in his hometown for the Rays, who opted for Jose Cruz, Jr. instead.
Now, if only the remaining free agents would listen to my suggestion from yesterday's Insider and join together to fight as an independent force. That notion brought these letters:
Jim: Regarding your proposal that free agents band together to win a pennant -- you've gone stark raving mad! I love it.
Murray
Brooklyn, New York
They called Einstein mad when he proposed the light bulb! They called Beethoven mad when he discovered gravity! They called the Lipiazner Staillions mad when they dove off the Steel Pier in Atlantic City! But look at them now. All famous. Why? Because they dared to think differently!
Jim: All the free agents going to one team? It's working in other sports:
The Lakers with Malone and Payton together with Shaq and Kobe. The Colorado Avalanche with Kariya and Salanee together with that entire team.
However, for some, it still doesn't work: New York Rangers...need I say more?
This is not the first time that an Expos-to-Central-Texas story has circulated. On January 16 of this year, the Dallas Morning News discussed just such a move only without the Monterrey component. The single greatest stumbling block is the lack of a proper facility in San Antonio. Wolf talks of expanding the existing minor league facility to 25,000, reasoning the Expos never draw that in Montreal, so it would be all that is required. The last team to attempt to play major league baseball in a stadium of that size was ...the Montreal Expos. Prior to moving into the great pit known as Olympic Stadium, they did their homework in Jarry Park, which held about 28,000. The Seattle Pilots spent their lone year at Sicks Stadium, which held 25,000. Clearly, these are not facilities to which a prospective big league city should aspire.
Carl Everett behaved well in both Texas and Chicago.
This discussion comes on a day when the Expos landed a talented free agent to call their own. Much-traveled Carl Everett has signed a two-year deal for $7.5 million with an option for a third year. Given the circumstances in Montreal, this has to be considered a minor coup for general manager Omar Minaya -- in spite of Everett's long-held reputation as a center of controversy. He appeared to leave that behind during his last two stops in Texas and Chicago where he made the All-Star team in 2003.
Regarding Everett, Minaya told Peter Barrouquere of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, "One thing I like about Carl Everett is the fact that this guy comes to play every day. You talk to the general managers, and you talk to (White Sox general manager) Kenny Williams and other managers that Carl played for, between the white lines, this guy is what we consider a warrior. The fact that he has the ability to play three outfield positions to me is very important."
His presence will do some small part to make up for the departed Vladimir Guerrero. Everett actually had better overall numbers than Guerrero in 2003, but that was owing to Guerrero having missed 50 games to injury. In spite of his long absence, the Expos still managed to finish four games over .500, although their record with him missing was worse. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times details the deal and explains how it is that Everett -- a Tampa native -- passed on the opportunity to play in his hometown for the Rays, who opted for Jose Cruz, Jr. instead.
Now, if only the remaining free agents would listen to my suggestion from yesterday's Insider and join together to fight as an independent force. That notion brought these letters:
Jim: Regarding your proposal that free agents band together to win a pennant -- you've gone stark raving mad! I love it.
Murray
Brooklyn, New York
They called Einstein mad when he proposed the light bulb! They called Beethoven mad when he discovered gravity! They called the Lipiazner Staillions mad when they dove off the Steel Pier in Atlantic City! But look at them now. All famous. Why? Because they dared to think differently!
Jim: All the free agents going to one team? It's working in other sports:
The Lakers with Malone and Payton together with Shaq and Kobe. The Colorado Avalanche with Kariya and Salanee together with that entire team.
However, for some, it still doesn't work: New York Rangers...need I say more?