Photos: Kevin Raftery

Montreal Baseball Project’s gala to mark the 20^th anniversary of the 1994 Expos was, in one word, magical. Held on March 29, 2014 at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, fans in attendance of the sold-out affair began the evening up close and personal with the players at a VIP Cocktail. Master of Ceremonies Marc Griffin started the dinner with a rousing red carpet introduction of each of the team members in attendance. Gala attendees were treated to several video presentations, including a message from long-time Expos’ play-by-play announcer Dave Van Horne as well as a preview of filmmaker Robbie Hart’s documentary in progress, Nos Amours…The Journey Continues.

Invited speakers were Dr. Roger Tabah, Claudine Cook, Jacques Doucet, Rodger Brulotte, Matthew Ross, Elliott Price, Mitch Melnick, Jonah Keri, and Danny Gallagher. Two performances by Annakin  Slayd and Melissa Blouin brought the audience to their feet. MBP President and Founder Warren Cromartie presented commemorative prints to Guests of Honour Claude Raymond and Felipe Alou. Both Raymond and Alou gave moving speeches that remarked upon their many years as members of the Expos’ organization, their memories of the 1994 season, and their hopes for the future of Major League Baseball in Montreal.

The evening wrapped up with Cromartie taking over the microphone, inviting members of the 1994 Expos to the stage to talk – “Cropah-style” – about their own memories. It was during one of these chats that Larry Walker revealed – in a demonstration of just how confident the team was – that he and fellow outfielders Moises Alou and Marquis Grissom used to exchange gloves during pitching changes and play out the rest of the inning that way. The smile on manager Alou’s face at this revelation demonstrated that not only had the statute of limitations expired on shenanigans, but that he was just as confident in his players as they were in themselves.

Photographs by Andrew Soong

One hour prior to the kickoff of Montreal Baseball Project’s gala to mark the 20^th anniversary of the 1994 Expos, the team assembled to sign memorabilia items, many of which were part of a silent auction later that night that raised $30,000 for the ALS Society of Quebec. It was yet another chance for the former teammates to catch up – and they took the time to pose for an informal and memorable team photo.

Photographs by Andrew Soong

Montreal baseball fans packed Olympic Stadium for a second day in a row on March 29, 2014 when the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets played a second of two exhibition games. The first pitch was preceded by a stirring ceremony to honour the 1994 Montreal Expos. Twenty years after posting the best record in baseball, twenty members of the team were introduced on the field before 50,299 delirious fans. With a total attendance figure of over 96,000 for the two exhibition games, Montreal left no doubt in anybody’s mind that it wants Major League Baseball back.

Photographs by Andrew Soong

On Saturday, March 29, 2014, the 1994 Montreal Expos traveled as a team from their hotel to Olympic Stadium in the morning. A press conference was held, featuring Toronto Blue Jays’ President Paul Beeston, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, Montreal Baseball Project President and Founder Warren Cromartie, Simon Arsenault of evenko, and Olympic Park President Michel Labrecque.

Photographs by Andrew Soong

Montreal’s historic baseball weekend got underway Friday, March 28, 2014 as Major League Baseball returned to Olympic Stadium for the first time in nearly a decade. The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets played an exhibition game before 46,121 fans in the Montreal Expos’ former home. The game was preceded by a touching pre-game ceremony in honour of the late Expos great Gary Carter. The Hall of Famer’s wife Sandy Carter and daughter Kimmy Bloemers were on hand, as were Carter’s teammates Tim Raines, Steve Rogers, and Warren Cromartie. Cromartie elicited a loud and boisterous reaction from the crowd when he shouted, “Let’s bring baseball back to Montreal!” Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, a great baseball fan, threw out the ceremonial first pitch dressed in an MBP jersey and Expos jacket.

Photographs by Andrew Soong

Montreal Baseball Project is filling out its lineup card. We are pleased to reveal the members of the 1994 Expos who will attend our 20th-Anniversary Gala for the "Best Team in Baseball" on March 29. This is a team that captured our city's imagination. They still remain champions in our hearts.