Major League Baseball's Montréal Expos were born 45 years ago this week. They played their final season in Canada in 2004 before shifting to Washington the following season and becoming the Nationals.

Montréal was granted an expansion franchise by the National League on May 27, 1968. Five cities were in the running for two new NL franchises: San Diego, Montréal, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Milwaukee, and Buffalo. Montréal was a decided underdog; an Associated Press story published on the morning of the formal vote declared that "Montréal, at present, simply doesn't figure."

The franchise was officially announced as having been named "Expos" on September 5, 1968 and their logo and caps were unveiled at a press conference on January 15, 1969.

Read more...