The Expos joined the [National League]? in 1969, along with the San Diego Padres. Their home stadium was Jarry Park, in Montreal. The Expos suffered through 10 straight losing seasons under their first manager, [Gene Mauch]? (1969-1975) and three other managers. In 1979 they posted their first winning record with a 95-65 record, under manager [Dick Williams]?. They would post five consecutive winning seasons, including their only division championship, in the split season of 1981. They defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in the divisional series, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the National League Championship series. Montreal was led through these years by a core group of young players, including catcher [Gary Carter]?, outfielders [Tim Raines]? and [Andre Dawson]?, third baseman [Larry Parrish]? and pitchers [Steve Rogers]? and [Bill Gullickson]?.
The Expos had several mediocre years in the mid 1980s under manager [Buck Rodgers]?, but rebuilt and under manager [Felipe Alou]?, who took the position midway throught the 1992 season, finished second in the National League East in both 1992 and 1993. 1994 proved to be heart-breaking for the Expos. With a very talented group of players, including outfielders [Larry Walker]?, [Moises Alou]? and [Marquis Grissom]?, second baseman [Delino DeShields]? and pitchers [Ken Hill]? and a young Pedro Martinez, the Expos had the best record in major league baseball, 74-40 when the strike forced the end of the season.
The Expos lost most of their star players through free agency and trades, and have posted losing records since 1994, except for a second place finish in 1996.
Montreal is often cited as an example of a small-market team, unable to compete with teams in bigger markets such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Jeffrey Loria, the new owner, has made some personnel moves, however the future of the franchise in Montreal does not look very strong. Attendance in the 2001 season was usually fewer than 10,000 people. On November 7, 2001, Bud Selig announced that major league baseball would undergo a contraction of two teams, after a 28-2 vote by the owners. Montreal was one of the franchises to dissent, and many believe that the Expos will be one of the teams that will dissolve before play begins for the 2002 season.
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