The Montreal Expos Quiz | MLB Teams

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1. The Montreal Expos hold the distinction of being the first ever Major League Baseball franchise to be based outside of the USA. In what year did they begin playing MLB?

Answer: 1969

The Montreal Expos began operations in MLB's National League East Division as part of the expansion era of the 1960s. The team was named after the 1967 world's fair (Expo 1967) which had just been held in Montreal a few years prior.

2. What was the name of the stadium/ball park in which the Montreal Expos would play most of their home games during their tenure in Montreal?

Answer: Olympic Stadium

Although they did play their very first game at Jarry Park stadium, they moved in 1977 into the larger stadium built by the City of Montreal to host the 1976 Summer Olympics. They called the "Big-O" their home ball park until the end of the 2004 MLB season (they moved to Washington in 2005).

The Montreal Forum was the home of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens for many decades and the Percival Molson Stadium, on the campus of McGill University, is the home stadium for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

3. As it the case with most expansion sports franchises, the Montreal Expos struggled early in its existance to achieve success and notoriety. However, after several years of astute drafting, the Expos eventually became a respectable foe. In which year did the Expos win the NL East division title?

Answer: 1981

During the split season of 1981, caused by a labour dispute, the Expos won the "second" half season of the NL East division, defeating the winners of the "first"half, their nemesis the Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 2 in an impromptu divisional playoff.

The Expos would go on to loose the NL Pennant to the Los Angeles Dodgers 3 games to 2. The ninth inning home run hit by Rick Monday of the Dodgers in game 5 of that best of 5 series still is a painful memory for me from my youth.

4. During the 1980s, the Montreal Expos fielded some impressive lineups, with several all-stars chosen from within their ranks. How many Expos were voted to the starting line-up for the National League for the 1982 MLB all-star game?

Answer: 4

Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Gary Carter and Steve Rogers were all starters for National League during that July 13, 1982 midsummer classic. The game was fittingly played at the "Big-O" in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, making it also the first ever MLB all-star game to be played outside the USA. Al Oliver joined his fellow Expos' teammates in the NL lineup as a reservist.

The National League used their experience with the large speedy Astro turf gaps in the outfield to beat their American League adversaries 4-1.

5. MLB franchises have often used team mascots to help entertain the local fans during those inevitable pauses that are an intricate part of a baseball game. What was the name of the Montreal Expos mascot?

Answer: Youppi

Youppi joined the Montreal Expos in 1979, donning the number "!"and was employed as their furry family fun usher until the end of the 2004 season, regularly matching whits with other NL mascots such as the Phillie Phanatic and the infamous Sand Diego Chicken. Paying tribute to former beloved Expos outfielder Rusty Staub, whom the fans had affectionally nicknamed "Le Grand Orange"/"The Big Orange One", Youppi was a tall orange coloured muppet like furry creature.

When the franchise was relocated to Washington in 2005, Youppi became unemployed.

However, this colourful story has a happy ending as he was later signed to a long term contract by the NHL's Montreal Canadiens in 2005.

6. The Expos produced several Golden Glove fielding winners from the fast/hard Astroturf at their home field in Montreal. Which Expo won an incredible 6 consecutive National League Golden Glove awards for fielding excellence at his position.

Answer: Andre Dawson

The 1977 NL Rookie of the Year award winner, Andre "The Hawk" Dawson, won six consecutive Golden Gloves from 1980 to 1985. He was also no slouch at the plate winning three Silver Slugger awards during that same span while suiting up for 4 MLB all-star games as an Expo.

His throwing arm was well respected by opponents and he led the NL three times in put-outs from the outfield. You had to be fast to get a double on the Hawk back in those days, and few would even dare to try to defy his throwing arm by stretching out an extra base from a hit or by tagging up on a fly ball to the outfield.

7. Free agency and escalating salaries ended up taking its toll on the Expos, a small market franchise. Without a major television endorsement contract, the Expos faced the risk of losing some of their best players to impending free agency or to lucrative contracts elesewhere. Who was their All-Star catcher that was part of a blockbuster trade in 1984?

Answer: Gary Carter

Gary Carter played for the Expos from 1974 to 1984. He was traded to the NL East division rival New York Mets for four players. A perennial all-star, he returned to play one last season for the Expos prior to his retirement in 1992. He passed away losing a battle with several brain tumors in 2012. Affectionaltely known as "the Kid" due to his ever present boyish smile and his exuberance on and off the field, he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Montreal area sports fans.

8. The 1994 MLB players strike put an end to another Montreal Expos season on August 12. What was their win-loss record at that time?

Answer: 74 wins 40 losses

On August 11, 1994, the Montreal Expos had the best record in MLB with 74 wins and 40 losses, with a 9 game lead in first place in the NL East division and were looking like a serious contender for the National League Pennant. However, the outbreak of a players strike would eventually put an end to that dream.

9. The Montreal Expos were not only known for producing well rounded fielders, as a few remarkable pitching talents donned their red white and blue uniform over the years. One pitcher would even throw a perfect game as an Expo. Which pitcher threw a perfect game in 1991?

Answer: Dennis Martinez

Dennis "El Presidente" Martinez tossed a 95 pitch perfect game as a Montreal Expo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Dodger Stadium, on July 28, 1991. Ron Hassey, the journeyman catcher who was behind home plate for Martinez during that game, would later go on to say that he was so nervous, that he could barely walk back and forth to the dugout during the last three innings.

10. The Montreal Expos franchise was sold in 2005 and relocated to Washington DC, and became the Nationals. Prior to its relocation, as part of MLB's efforts to test tout new markets for future expansion, the Montreal Expos played several home games in 2003-04 from which city/location?

Answer: San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Montreal expos played a total of 22 home games out of San Juan Puerto Rico, before being relocated permanently to Washington DC as the Nationals.

Source: Author GuyLafleur10

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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The Montreal Expos Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about my favourite baseball team from my youth, the Montreal Expos (Nos Amours/Our Beloved). They are gone but not forgotten. (Amusez-vous/Enjoy!)

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