The media was convened today at iMLB headquarters for a press conference by Commissioner Cal Ripken, where it was formally announced that the league would be adding two expansion teams in Nashville and Montreal.
“Baseball is the first organized sport ever played in Nashville, a sense of pride for the Nashville Stars. Baseball is in our DNA. The Stars are deeply rooted in Nashville’s rich baseball history going back to 1860. Sulphur Dell was a cornerstone for all of baseball including the Negro Leagues. The Stars were one of the many teams that were based in Nashville. The Negro Leagues introduced us to some of MLB’s greatest: Satchel Page, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and many more. This history becomes the inspiration and foundation for the future of baseball in Music City. The Nashville Stars will bring the MLB experience to Nashville, building on our focus of baseball, families, community and entertainment.” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper Jr. “With today’s approval from Major League Baseball, together we will make history by becoming the first franchise to honor a team name from the Negro Leagues-Nashville Stars. Music City Baseball is excited to announce our collaboration through a revenue sharing partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Diversity without equity is not enough and honoring the traditions and history of the Negro Leagues is a way we can connect to our history and our future. Baseball is a bridge to a better, more equitable society.”
Turning to the Montreal side of things, the big shock was the news that Tom Brady is at the head of the effort to bring baseball back to the city. Joining the press conference on behalf of his ownership group he said the following “In recent months, a new attitude toward baseball has developed in Montreal. Optimism and forward-looking thinking have replaced frustrations over past disappointments. Montrealers want to once again experience the thrill and excitement of baseball with their families. Montreal Baseball Project aims to turn desire into action by taking the necessary steps to see the game return to the city.”
Warren Cromartie, the head of the Montreal baseball project, will be the largest share holder in the Expos. Cromartie suited up for over a thousand games with the Montreal Expos between 1974 and 1983. “Cro,” a fan favourite to this day, famously waved the Canadian flag at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia after recording the final out in the Expos’ victory over the Phillies to capture the 1981 NL East Division Championship. In 1984, Cromartie became perhaps the most prominent American ballplayer still in his prime to sign with a Japanese baseball team. Cro led the Yomiuri Tokyo Giants in RBIs three times, twice in homeruns and batting average, and was named Central League MVP in 1989 en route to a Japan League Championship for the Giants. In 1991, Cromartie returned to North America for a final Major League season, hitting .313 for the Kansas City Royals.
The two squads will be coming into the fold next season and Commissioner Ripken hinted at his divisional realignment plans but offered no specifics.