The 1994 season was a tragic one for the Montreal Expos, but for fans and players alike, it remains a bittersweet memory of what could have been.
As the best team in the MLB that year, the Expos were on track for a historic season. With a record of 74 wins and 40 losses, they were leading the National League East division and had the best record in all of baseball. The team was stacked with talented players such as Larry Walker, Moises Alou, and Pedro Martinez, who would go on to have successful careers in the league.
But on August 12, 1994, everything changed. The players went on strike, bringing the season to an abrupt halt. The Expos, along with the rest of the league, would not play another game that year.
For fans, it was a devastating blow. The team had been gaining momentum and support from the city, with record-breaking attendance numbers and a real chance at making it to the World Series. But the strike shattered those hopes and left a void in the hearts of Montrealers.
Former Expos player, Cliff Floyd, recalls the disappointment of that season, saying, “We were on a mission. We were going to win the World Series. And then it was just taken away from us.”
The strike lasted for 232 days, making it the longest work stoppage in professional sports history. It wasn’t until April 1995 that the players and owners reached an agreement and the season resumed. But for the Expos, it was too late. The team had lost its momentum and struggled to regain its footing. They finished the season with a record of 66 wins and 78 losses, missing the playoffs.
For many, the 1994 season remains a “what if” moment in Expos history. What if the strike hadn’t happened? Would the team have gone on to win the World Series? Would it have changed the fate of the franchise, which ultimately moved to Washington in 2004?
Despite the tragic end to the season, the memories of the 1994 Expos team live on. Fans still proudly wear their Expos gear and reminisce about the talented players and the excitement they brought to the city. And for the players, it remains a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.
As the 25th anniversary of the strike approaches, the Montreal Expos continue to hold a special place in the hearts of fans and players alike. And while the team may no longer exist, the legacy of the 1994 season will always be remembered as one of the best in MLB history.
