The Curse of the Blue Monday.

It has nothing to do with New Order, although I thought it was funny they called it the "Blue Monday" -- it's been 20 years today that Rick Monday, from the Los Angeles Dodgers (Major League Baseball team) has hit a decisive home run in the last game of the National League's Championship to kill the hope of my home team, the Montreal Expos, to go battle the World Series to the New York Yankees.

That happened a monday, and the guy's name was monday, and the people here have since then referred to this as the BLUE MONDAY.

Since then, the Expos have came close to their division title very often, but never won it again. The one time where they were absolutely sure to win it, when they had the best record in Major League Baseball in August 1994, there was a strike that cancelled the World Series.

What a story, eh?

Which, of course, reminds a lot of The Curse of The Bambino that has afflicted the Boston Red Sox for more than 60 years after they have traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees. But that's another story.

Seb.

P.S. Somehow, I don't expect this topic to be popular among our British friends!

Originally posted by Jeff White Hey Chris...when you say america...do you mean the US or North America...cuz the Toronto Blue Jays were in the world series one year...sebsy...I think they might have even won it if I'm not mistaken...do you recall...I seem to remember a former Texas Ranger by the name of Mitch Williams giving up the decisive home run to Joe Carter...I know you're an Expo fan and all...but seeing that this is probably the closest either of us will ever get to having the Series in our home town...well, you get the idea...

Yeah, Mitch Williams, when pitching for the Phillies, gave the homerun which ended his career (he never could overcome that after -- aowtch!), and it led to the World Series title by Toronto.

And that doesn't give me any pride -- rather one of jealousy!

There is quite a strong rivalry between Montreal and Toronto...

S.

Originally posted by Green My sympathies, Seb. It has been rumoured around here that the Expos might relocate to Portland in the near future due to attendance problems, but we don't really have a stadium here for the team to move into right away, so we'll see what happens. We also root for the Expos here as Mike Thurman is from Philomath and OSU. Never mind that he seems to follow one good pitching performance with a mediocre one. Here's hoping you still have a team next year.

Oh, the Green Man is well informed!

Yes, Thurman has been inconsistent all year -- but I like the guy anyway. He just needs a nice streak of wins to give him confidence.

As for the team, it ain't going anywhere since there are no stadiums ready to welcome them anywhere else at the moment we speak. Actually, there is one -- Washington's RFK Stadium, but two years ago the Expos played an exhibition game there and only about 10,000 people showed up! Also, Washington is too close to Baltimore where Peter Angelos, the Orioles' owner, has territory rights.

The only reason why our attendance had an historic low is because the team is led by idiots who don't give a sh*t about the fans, who've been making doubtful decisions baseballwise, who's only goal was probably to move the team out of town from the very start, and especially, because the team has just known its FIFTH straight consecutive losing season and because this team has no personnality.

Also, consider this:

• The BLUE MONDAY of 1981;

• The trade of Gary Carter in 1984 (who had a fantastic relationship with the fans);

• The trade of Tim Raines in 1990 (ditto)

• Losing the division title or a place in the series by less than five games in 1987, 1991, 1993, and 1996.

• Having the best record in the Majors in 1994 when the strike ruined everything;

• As a direct consequence of that, the firesale of every of our best players between 1995 and 1999: Larry Walker, John Wetteland, Marquis Grissom, Ken Hill, Henry Rodriguez, Rondell White, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

• The project of a new downtown outdoor stadium being abandonned by the new owners who, in one year, found a way to alienate themselves from every co-owners and 90% of the business community and fans.

Now, you NEVER hear this in United States' medias because it is much cooler to bash the organization as a symbol and the city. People tend to forget that in the 80s, and in 1994, the Expos were drawing more than 2 million fans a year!

Seb, a pissed off baseball fan.

Originally posted by chris p Is baseball actually a game?? And when did a World Series contain more than one country invoved other than America?? ;)

There is actually 2.. yes we have 2 teams in Canada :D

I don't think your posts are closed because they are off-topic, because this board would be closed due to off-topic stuff...!

As for american (and canadian! we have different rules than the US for that sport!) football.. it does play with the foot also.... hands and feet.....

Originally posted by Hooky Monster Without wishing to step out of my moaning character - everytime I post a topic which is 'off-topic' the thread is closed very quickly. I'm surprised this hasn't happened to this thread. I mean, come on, this has to be the most tenuously linked New Order post I've read in some time.Ok, Rant overp.s. Oh and baseball is not my pint of stella either; so I think you North Americans can keep it, along with your rather poor version of football. I mean, why is it called football when they only use their hands? And what's with all the poofy padding too?

Oh, then why is the quarterback kicking the ball then?

Originally posted by Sébastien Boisvert > Originally posted by Hooky Monster> Without wishing to step out of my moaning character - everytime I post a topic which is 'off-topic' the thread is closed very quickly. I'm surprised this hasn't happened to this thread. I mean, come on, this has to be the most tenuously linked New Order post I've read in some time.> > Ok, Rant over> > p.s. Oh and baseball is not my pint of stella either; so I think you North Americans can keep it, along with your rather poor version of football. I mean, why is it called football when they only use their hands? And what's with all the poofy padding too?

Oh, then why is the quarterback kicking the ball then?

Since when does the quaterback kick the ball?

That would be a first!

There is one guy for that on the special units.

shut up !