See Former Expos Star Tim Raines Reflects on Montreal’s Legacy and Calls for the City’s Baseball Revival

As one of the most iconic figures in Montreal Expos history, Tim Raines holds a special place in the hearts of baseball fans who remember the city’s rich baseball legacy. Reflecting on his time with the team and the passionate fan base that embraced the Expos, Raines has been vocal about his belief that Montreal deserves a second chance to host an MLB team.

In a recent interview, Raines opened up about his experiences with the Expos, the profound connection the team had with the city, and his hopes for Montreal’s baseball future. His comments come at a time when discussions about Major League Baseball expansion and relocation have sparked renewed hope for Montreal to once again be home to a professional team.

Montreal’s Legacy in Baseball

Tim Raines, who spent 13 of his 23 major league seasons with the Expos, is widely regarded as one of the best players in franchise history. He helped put Montreal on the baseball map during the 1980s and early 1990s, a period when the Expos had a loyal and growing fan base. Reflecting on those years, Raines emphasized how much the city embraced the team and how special it was to play in front of those fans.

“Montreal was a baseball city, no doubt about it. We had some of the most passionate fans in the game,” Raines recalled. “They loved the Expos, and they loved the players. You could feel the energy in Olympic Stadium when we were playing well, and that’s something you never forget as a player.”

Raines pointed to the team’s successes during his tenure, particularly the Expos’ near-miss at the postseason in 1994, the year a strike ended the season prematurely when the team had the best record in baseball. “We had something special that year,” Raines said. “If the strike hadn’t happened, who knows what could have been. That’s one of the biggest ‘what-ifs’ in Expos history.”

The Case for a Baseball Revival in Montreal

With Major League Baseball considering expansion or relocation of certain franchises, the idea of bringing baseball back to Montreal has gained significant traction in recent years. Raines is among those advocating for the return of the sport to a city he believes is still hungry for baseball.

“I think Montreal deserves another shot,” Raines said. “There’s a rich baseball culture here, and there’s no question in my mind that if a team returned, the city would rally behind it just like they did with the Expos.”

Raines also noted that the absence of baseball in Montreal has been felt by generations of fans who grew up following the Expos and by those who were too young to experience it. “The game left, but the love for it didn’t,” he continued. “You still see Expos jerseys around the city, and the people haven’t forgotten. It’s time to bring the team back.”

The Challenges and Opportunities

While Raines and other Expos supporters are hopeful, they recognize the challenges involved in bringing an MLB team back to Montreal. Financial and logistical hurdles would need to be addressed, including the construction of a new stadium and securing ownership for the potential franchise. Olympic Stadium, while iconic, is no longer considered a suitable venue for a major league team, and a new, modern ballpark would be crucial to the success of the endeavor.

Still, Raines is optimistic that the city and its business leaders could make it happen. “There’s a real opportunity here. Montreal is a major league city, and if the right plan is in place, there’s no reason why baseball couldn’t thrive here again.”

One of the factors fueling optimism for Montreal’s chances is the growth of the city itself. With a larger population, a thriving cultural scene, and increased corporate support, the conditions for baseball’s return appear more favorable than they were when the Expos left in 2004. Raines sees this as an important aspect of the city’s potential to host a team once more.

“Montreal has grown, and the market is there for a team,” Raines said. “With the right ownership group, a new stadium, and the support of MLB, there’s no doubt in my mind that Montreal could support a successful franchise.”

A Hopeful Future

As discussions about MLB expansion continue, Tim Raines remains hopeful that the Expos’ legacy could be revived. For him, it’s not just about reliving the past, but about creating new memories and giving today’s generation of Montrealers the chance to experience the excitement of major league baseball.

“We had something special with the Expos, and it would be amazing to see baseball come back to Montreal,” Raines said. “The fans here deserve it, and I believe that if given the chance, the city would show MLB that it belongs in the big leagues once again.”

For now, Montreal baseball supporters like Raines will continue to advocate for the city’s inclusion in future expansion plans, keeping alive the hope that one day, baseball will return to the place where it once thrived.