Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball franchise based in Montreal, Quebec, and the first MLB team located outside the United States.

The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball franchise based in Montreal, Quebec, and the first MLB team located outside the United States. Founded in 1969, they played their final season in 2004 before relocating to Washington, D.C., where they became the Washington Nationals.

What it is

The Expos were established in the late 1960s and began play in 1969, becoming the first MLB franchise located outside the United States. The team spent its early years at Jarry Park before moving to Olympic Stadium in 1977.

Why it matters

The Expos remain a major part of Canadian baseball history as the first MLB team based in Canada. Their departure from Montreal is still a significant reference point for Canadian sports fans and for discussions about professional baseball in Canada.

Key details

The team’s best regular season is widely identified as 1994, when the Expos went 74–40 before the MLB strike ended the season early. Notable former Expos include Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Pedro Martínez, Larry Walker, and Vladimir Guerrero. The franchise never won a World Series.