By Canadian Press

Throwback Expos day at D.C. baseball game divides Montrealers — and Americans

Jul 6, 2019 | 4:02 PM

An Expos throwback day at the Washington Nationals’ ballpark has divided Montrealers.

While some cheered the vintage uniforms donned by players Saturday afternoon as an overdue homage, others chastised the move as an “insult” to their baseball forebears.

The Nationals — created after the Expos moved to Washington in 2005 — announced this week they would tout the powder blue away jerseys and pants along with the vintage cap sported by Montreal players in their inaugural season 50 years ago.

The gimmick fits into a night of retro theatrics at Nationals Stadium that includes 1960s pop tunes, a stylized “M” on the scoreboard, a ceremonial first pitch thrown by newly inducted Expos Hall-of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. — and, of course, some poutine and smoked meat among the concessions.

Dave Kaufman, a Montreal-based journalist and talk radio host, says that while the stadium features a “ring of honour” that includes Expos legends like Gary Carter and Tim Raines, the Nationals’ northern roots go largely unacknowledged in D.C.

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He and Sylvain Tremblay, who co-leads the Encore Baseball Montreal social media group, say the marketing stunt nonetheless offers a fitting nod to the history of the franchise, despite online put-downs from some armchair critics.

The debate comes amid rising emotions and renewed hopes for an Expos reincarnation in Quebec’s biggest city.

Stephen Bronfman — son of former Expos owner Charles Bronfman — has long pushed for a hometown revival, praising last month a plan for the Tampa Bay Rays to split games between Montreal and Florida.

The Canadian Press