Re: Les Expos en Boston?

["Sean Smyth" <ssmyth@suscom.net>]

A. Joseph Ross writes:
>> I wonder why the Red Sox would want to lease Fenway Park and help
>> promote their competition.  And I wonder how Boston fans could
>> develop fan loyalty for a team that's only here "on a temporary
>> basis."

I suspect you are right about the temporary Expos not developing a fan base.
As someone said to me last night, "At least they'll draw 6,000 a night now."
(It would also be easier for MLB to operate the team, without having to deal
with the Canadian  exchange rate, etc.) And as far as the Sox not wanting to
let another team on their turf: I am sure the way the ownership thinks is
that since they sell a good deal of tickets before the season, there
wouldn't be much threat from a one-season Expos operation. And, to bring
that full circle, the Sox probably feel the same about their spot inventory
on NESN and wherever else; since most of the spots are likely tied down,
impact on ad revenue would be minimal. Plus, any sponsors spending money on
fixed advertising in the ballpark may have to pay the Sox more since their
exposure would essentially be doubled.

>> I seem to remember my father once telling me that before the Braves
>> left Boston, they tried to make an arrangement to play in Fenway
>> Park and sell Braves Field.  According to my father, Fenway was a
>> smaller stadium, but the parking was much better.  In any event,
>> again according to my father, Tom Yawkey refused to allow the Braves
>> to play in Fenway Park, perhaps hoping the Braves would leave town.

Lou Perini (?), the Braves owner and of the Perini Construction clan, wanted
to have the Braves play at Fenway for one year while Braves Field was
renovated; Yawkey nixed the idea for exactly the reasons you listed. Braves
Field was indeed much larger, with somewhere in the neighborhood of 45,000
seats.