The 1994 Montreal Expos had the best record in Major League Baseball. They had done away with the pinwheel hat that drew in Li’l Baby Scaia, but Moises Alou, Pedro Martinez and Montreal native Denis Boucher made up for that, opening up a six game lead in the National League East.
They were underdogs who rose up to take down Goliath. They were grinding out a season, not knowing what might lay ahead. Their triumph was cancelled. Even the pandemic couldn’t cancel the World Series, but put the Expos in there, and it’s time to shut ‘er down.
Loyal Scaiaholics will recall the editorial board at 1 Scaianalysis Esplanade has previously awarded the title of “Honorary 1994 Expos” to a variety of organizations:
- The 2010 Cincinnati Reds, who predate the blog. Scaianalysis Esplanade was still under construction then.
- The 2014 Kansas City Royals
- The 2016 Washington Nationals
- The 2020 Dayton Flyers
- Larry King
This year, following the lead of Time Magazine in 2006 [because the Scaianalysis Editorial Board is nothing if not keyed into current trends], we are naming all of us Honorary 1994 Montreal Expos.
COVID-19 restrictions started more than a year ago. We’ve all now lost a year which we can never get back.
We’ve been wracked with infighting and questions about our future, but we’re still gettin’ the job done when it really counts.
After the strike, the 1994 Expos were dismantled to cut costs. The team simply didn’t have enough money to prepare for such a hit to revenue.
We’ve all struggled. The 1994 Expos lost their first four games after the all-star break. In a similar struggle, I was unable to provide you with a rundown of new dishes served by the Texas Rangers before their season begins.
But we’re also resilient. The 1994 Expos then went on to win 20 of their last 23 games.
The 1994 Expos did not get a trophy. I’m sorry to say the most recent stimulus package did not include trophies for people as they get vaccinated.
A new season is starting now. Much like the Expos’ later years, many fans of 15 teams, including the Texas Rangers, cannot watch them on TV.
Even without knowledge of Rangers’ new dishes, I’ll be able to attend opening day. It may not feel the same pumping mustard on it from a giant bucket, but our medical community has been innovative, working long hours to care for a record number of patients and developing a vaccine in record time.
I’m sure I can figure out how to make a mess with mustard coming from a small packet.
