What a difference a day makes. Tuesday's Montreal Expos Major League Baseball season opener at Olympic Stadium featured something that will not be seen again in Montreal this baseball season: a crowd. The 34,351 people who showed up were treated to a 7-6 come from behind win by their Expos over the Florida Marlins.
"That's the loudest I've heard it in Montreal for a long time," said Marlins left fielder Cliff Floyd. "It was like playing in the World Series, those 34,000 sounded like 75,000."
Floyd and the Marlins would not have to worry about distractions on Wednesday for the rematch as only 4,779 seats were filled. Even without any support from their fans the Expos almost pulled of another come from behind victory. They rallied in the ninth to close a 6-1 Marlins lead to 6-5 before Lee Stevens flew out to end the game.
The Expos have played well so far this season, but with the thousands of empty seats the team continues down the road to contraction. Since their last run at the pennant in 1994, attendance has fallen to a paltry few that can brave the sight of a team that has a payroll almost $100 million less than the New York Yankees.
Wednesday's attendance is a bad sign for the handful of Expos fans that are still aware of the fact that a Major League Baseball team does play in Montreal.
Barry Bonds. The home run record holder has started this season like the last one never ended. Bonds hit two home runs in each of his first two games.
Chuck Finley. Finley's wife, Tawney Kitaen, was arrested and charged with spousal abuse and battery for an alleged attack on her husband. Finley missed his first start on the mound Wednesday as he was suffering from scratches and abrasions
The Sabres are down to their last breath. They have to win their last five and hope the Canadiens and the Capitals start losing.
The Major League Baseball season has started, and now we can all enjoy watching the Yankees to see who they buy next - provided that we get the YES network (Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network), that is.
