RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Before Jarry Park Stadium, Montreal's main baseball stadium was Delorimier Stadium, the longtime home of the Montreal Royals. The diamond at Jarry Park had simply hosted youth baseball on a field in the park. However, in early 1960 the Montreal Royals were dropped by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an affiliate.
Looking to improve facilities for a stadium in Montreal, the 3,000 seat Jarry Park Stadium was built, formally opening in August 1960. After the Dodgers ended their affiliation with the Royals, potential new owners of the team had an option on the franchise, with the provision that a suitable ballpark is put in place. Unable to negotiate an agreement to play at the aging Delorimier Stadium, the group looked to spacious Jarry Park as the alternate site. The Jarry Park Stadium was built for this reason. However, even after the construction, the Royals franchise relocated to Syracuse, New York in 1960.
When the original baseball field was later approved for the Expos, it was renovated to a park approaching major league standards. Unroofed extensions were built from the original stands to the left and right field corners, a large bleacher section was constructed across the left field, and a scoreboard was built behind the right-field fence. This work brought the stadium's capacity to 28,500, and the park was approved as the Expos temporary home.
Before Jarry Park Stadium, Montreal's main baseball stadium was Delorimier Stadium, the longtime home of the Montreal Royals. The diamond at Jarry Park had simply hosted youth baseball on a field in the park. However, in early 1960 the Montreal Royals were dropped by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an affiliate.
Looking to improve facilities for a stadium in Montreal, the 3,000 seat Jarry Park Stadium was built, formally opening in August 1960. After the Dodgers ended their affiliation with the Royals, potential new owners of the team had an option on the franchise, with the provision that a suitable ballpark is put in place. Unable to negotiate an agreement to play at the aging Delorimier Stadium, the group looked to spacious Jarry Park as the alternate site. The Jarry Park Stadium was built for this reason. However, even after the construction, the Royals franchise relocated to Syracuse, New York in 1960.
When the original baseball field was later approved for the Expos, it was renovated to a park approaching major league standards. Unroofed extensions were built from the original stands to the left and right field corners, a large bleacher section was constructed across the left field, and a scoreboard was built behind the right-field fence. This work brought the stadium's capacity to 28,500, and the park was approved as the Expos temporary home.
The 1969 season witnessed the debut of two expansion teams, the Houston Astros and the...
Houston Astros vs Montreal Expos - Joe Morgan - Radio Broadcast / The 1969 season witnessed the debut of two expansion teams, the Houston Astros and the Montreal Expos, who embarked on their inaugural campaigns in Major League Baseball. Both teams faced numerous challenges as they sought to establish themselves in the league. The month of August proved to be a critical juncture in their respective journeys.
For the Houston Astros, August marked a period of significant improvement and progress. Despite a slow start to the season, they showed resilience and determination, steadily improving their performance in the summer months. Led by talented players such as Joe Morgan and Jimmy Wynn, the Astros began to find their footing and make their presence felt in the league. While the playoffs remained out of reach, their August surge provided hope for a brighter future.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Expos encountered a more arduous season. As an expansion team, they faced the challenges of building a competitive roster from scratch. In August, the Expos struggled to maintain consistency, battling with their lack of experience and depth. Despite the hardships, the team displayed flashes of potential, thanks to players like Rusty Staub and Ron Fairly, who showcased their abilities and hinted at a promising future.
The 1969 season allowed both the Houston Astros and the Montreal Expos to lay the foundation for their future endeavors in Major League Baseball. While the Astros demonstrated signs of growth and improvement in August, the Expos endured their share of challenges as they navigated their inaugural season. Their journey in 1969 laid the groundwork for their development into integral components of the league's landscape in the years to come.