Expo greats steal show in Montreal
Fans give Raines, Martinez et al nice heartfelt ovation before Jays lose to Bosox
MONTREAL— The game itself was meaningless in terms of the final score, but the Blue Jays and Red Sox were joined on the field Friday night by a third team that has long since departed the scene — but not the hearts of the 50,000 in attendance at Olympic Stadium.
Providing some real meaning on this night in a ceremony prior to Boston’s 4-2 victory, former Montreal Expos Pedro Martinez, Tim Raines, Vladimir Guerrero, Marquis Grissom, Ellis Valentine and Jose Vidro were honoured on the field. They received an ovation louder, longer and warmer than today’s stars received.
Toronto’s lineup looked to be very similar to the one that will take the field opening day on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop.
The lone missing starter was designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, still playing minor league games in Florida in order to ensure they can backdate a stint on the disabled list should the need arrive.
Manager John Gibbons was asked about the fact he plans on having his slugging cleanup hitter in the opening day lineup despite zero Grapefruit League plate appearances.
“He never really does, so I don’t know,” Gibbons joked about Encarnacion’s lack of spring training time. “We’re used to that. They say he’s putting up some pretty good at-bats over (at the minor-league camp), so that’s all we’re really looking for.”
Acouple of factors may have caused some grumbling among the players this year in terms of making the three-day trek to Montreal. One is the fact that once again, they are flying right back to Florida from whence they came to open the season against the Rays. Second is that ESPN has asked the Jays and Rays to be playing a 4:05 p.m. opener, nationally televised, but giving Toronto no off-day to prepare. That is highly unusual in any major pro sport.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Gibbons said.
“The guys are all fresh this time of the year. There was a little bit of complaining. I’m not sure when they actually changed the schedule to put us on ESPN. That’s a good sign, the fact they want to put us on TV, but I don’t think it’s that big a deal because it’s so early.
“Everybody’s feeling good.”