Montreal Expos Fans React to Blue Jays’ ALCS Game 7 and Expos Documentary

The Toronto Blue Jays play Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 20. A win would send them to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

This article explores the mixed feelings among Montreal Expos fans regarding the Toronto Blue Jays’ potential advancement to the World Series. It also reviews the recently released documentary “Who Killed the Montreal Expos?” which investigates the factors behind the Expos’ relocation and highlights ongoing challenges in Major League Baseball (MLB).

• The Toronto Blue Jays are competing in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on October 20, aiming to reach the World Series for the first time since 1993.
• Some Montreal Expos fans find it difficult to support the Blue Jays, reflecting lingering loyalty to their former team, while others accept the Jays as Canada’s de facto national team.
• The documentary “Who Killed the Montreal Expos?” by Jean-François Poisson was released on Netflix, examining the business failures and political decisions that led to the Expos’ move to Washington D.C. in 2004.
• The film draws parallels between the Expos’ story and current MLB team relocations and management challenges, including the Oakland Athletics’ recent stadium struggles and owner John Fisher’s minimal investment.
• The documentary highlights how ownership decisions, lack of public funding, and league inaction contributed to the Expos’ demise, but also shows continued fan desire for MLB’s return to Montreal.

Mixed emotions among Montreal Expos fans regarding the Blue Jays

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare for the critical Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, fans in Montreal—once home to the now-relocated Expos—express varied emotions toward the Jays, who have become known as “Canada’s Team.” For diehard Montreal sports enthusiasts like Anthony Fraietta, there remains a loyalty to the Expos and local teams that complicates full support for Toronto. Fraietta admits, “As a diehard Montreal fan, Habs fan, Expos fan, it’s hard to root for a team from Toronto.”

Despite this, others around Montreal are embracing the Blue Jays’ success. Jeff Goodman, attending the Game 7 in Toronto at significant personal expense, sees the appeal in the excitement of baseball’s playoff atmosphere, even if he isn’t a Jays fan by heart. “I’m torn because I’m not a Jays fan... but in this circumstance, being at the game for the excitement and the experience, I’d like to see the Jays win,” he explains.

Sales of Blue Jays jerseys in Montreal stores reflect growing acceptance, with store owner Santana Enrique describing the team as the country’s de facto national team, especially since Montreal lacks its own MLB franchise. Perry Giannis, organizer of the Expos Fest, sees the Blue Jays’ role as “national team by default,” accentuating the fun of having a team to cheer for in Canada’s baseball scene. Though still resentful about the loss of the Expos, Giannis feels a personal connection through the Guerrero family, as the Blue Jays’ Vlad Jr. links to his father’s Montreal baseball heritage.

“Who Killed the Montreal Expos?” — a deeper look into the team’s relocation

The Netflix documentary “Who Killed the Montreal Expos?” offers a compelling narrative that goes beyond sports highlights to explore the intricate business and political challenges that doomed Montreal’s only MLB franchise. Directed by Jean-François Poisson, the film sheds light on the mismanagement, failed stadium negotiations, and opaque decision-making behind the team’s move to Washington D.C. in 2004, where they became the Washington Nationals.

Expos fans felt “humiliated” and “stolen from” when their beloved team was relocated, though financial shortcomings largely stemmed from ownership failures rather than fan support. Repeated attempts to secure a new stadium in downtown Montreal, which would have replaced the aging Olympic Stadium and boosted attendance and revenue, were blocked or ignored. Owner Jeffrey Loria ultimately abandoned the franchise, leaving it under MLB’s control.

The documentary also connects this history to current MLB controversies, such as the Oakland Athletics’ 2025 season being played in Sacramento while awaiting a new stadium and owner John Fisher’s apparent reluctance to invest adequately in the team. These parallels highlight continuing issues of league governance and franchise viability.

Loria’s legacy and MLB’s ongoing challenges

Jeffrey Loria, former owner of the Expos and later the Miami Marlins, features prominently in the documentary as a controversial figure known for “fire sales” — systematically dismantling competitive rosters to cut costs. While the Marlins won two World Series titles under his tenure, these successes were bookended by significant roster sell-offs that shaped the sport’s economic realities in the 2010s.

The documentary also draws attention to labor disputes such as the 1994 MLB strike, which abruptly ended what was the Expos’ most promising season ever. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire after the 2026 season, the looming possibility of a salary cap and lockout echoes past tensions. These conflicts disproportionately affect small- and medium-market teams, threatening their financial stability and fan support.

Who bears responsibility for the Expos’ downfall?

The documentary offers a nuanced answer to the question posed by its title. Rather than blaming a single individual or entity, it portrays the Expos’ demise as the result of multiple actors and missed opportunities. Jeffrey Loria’s role in abandoning the franchise, MLB’s passive stance, and Quebec’s government refusal under former premier Lucien Bouchard to provide public stadium funding all contributed to the team becoming unsustainable in Montreal.

Ultimately, capitalist interests and a lack of coordinated support from both sports authorities and political leaders sealed the franchise’s fate. Nonetheless, the film underscores the persistent enthusiasm among Montreal’s baseball fans and their hope for Major League Baseball’s eventual return.

Looking forward: the future of baseball in Montreal and Canada

While the Toronto Blue Jays have become the standard-bearers of Canadian baseball, the emotional and cultural attachment Montrealers have to the Expos lingers strongly. The variety of perspectives among Montreal sports fans illustrates both the pain of losing a team and the pragmatic acceptance of the current landscape.

The documentary “Who Killed the Montreal Expos?” received a positive reception, rated 4.1 out of 5, both for its insightful historical analysis and its timely commentary on the business of sports. It serves as both homage and cautionary tale, urging reflection on how professional sports franchises are managed, supported, and valued by their communities.

As October 20’s decisive ALCS game approaches, Montrealers watch with mixed feelings—some rooting for the Blue Jays, others hoping for different outcomes—knowing that the city’s baseball story is far from over.

Questions and answers

Q: Who Killed the Montreal Expos documentary summary

A: "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" is a documentary that explores the decline and eventual relocation of the Montreal Expos baseball team. It examines the various factors that led to the team's downfall, including management issues, financial difficulties, and lack of fan support. The film features interviews with former players, fans, and experts who discuss how these elements contributed to the end of Major League Baseball in Montreal.

Q: Why did the Montreal Expos move

A: The Montreal Expos moved primarily due to financial struggles, poor attendance, and stadium issues. The team's ownership faced economic challenges, and the city of Montreal was unable to provide an adequate new stadium to keep the team competitive. Additionally, the 1994 MLB strike and limited media market contributed to the decline in support, leading to their relocation to Washington, D.C., where they became the Nationals in 2005.

Q: Toronto Blue Jays World Series chances 2023

A: The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2023 MLB season with strong offensive capabilities and promising young talent, boosting their chances of competing for a World Series title. However, their chances depended heavily on the health and consistency of key players as well as pitching performance. While considered contenders in the American League East, they faced tough competition from teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, making their World Series run challenging but attainable.

Q: MLB team relocations history

A: MLB team relocations have occurred several times throughout history, often driven by financial issues, market size, or stadium concerns. Notable moves include the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958, the New York Giants to San Francisco in the same year, and the Montreal Expos relocating to Washington, D.C. in 2005 to become the Nationals. These relocations reflect the changing demographics and economic factors affecting baseball markets in North America.

Q: Montreal Expos legacy and fan reactions

A: The Montreal Expos left a lasting legacy as Canada's first Major League Baseball team, remembered fondly for their passionate fan base and unique place in baseball history. Fans often express nostalgia and disappointment over the team's relocation, seeing the Expos as a symbol of lost potential in Montreal. The legacy also includes a cultural impact on Canadian baseball, inspiring future generations, despite the team's struggles and eventual departure.

Key Entities

Toronto Blue Jays: The Toronto Blue Jays are a Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Canada, and are the only Canadian franchise currently in MLB. Founded in 1977, they have won two World Series championships, in 1992 and 1993.

Montreal Expos: The Montreal Expos were Canada’s first Major League Baseball team, established in 1969 and based in Montreal, Quebec. They relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2005 and became the Washington Nationals.

Jean-François Poisson: Jean-François Poisson is an entrepreneur known for his involvement in the Canadian baseball scene, particularly linked to efforts to revive professional baseball in Montreal. He has been mentioned in discussions about potential ownership or investment in relocating MLB franchises back to Montreal.

Jeffrey Loria: Jeffrey Loria is a prominent art dealer and former baseball team owner, best known for owning the Montreal Expos and later the Miami Marlins. His ownership tenure of the Expos was controversial and coincided with the eventual relocation of the franchise.

Oakland Athletics: The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California, known for their competitive history and innovative management strategies. The team has been exploring relocation options amid stadium challenges in Oakland.

External articles

• Montreal baseball fans torn as Blue Jays play Game 7 of ...
• Disgust at team voting against Expos
• Blue Jays haters in Montreal?

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YouTube Video

Title: From the little kid in the Expos jersey to the man leading the Blue Jays to the World Series.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GZtMGTmgLJs