How'd That Work Out?

Came across this nugget of joy while perusing the Palatial Archives. Courtesy of Dr. Phil, in the 7 December 1999 Chicago Tribune:

Instead of a new address, a new era might b just what the Montreal Expos need. Major League orders’ approval of the transfer of the team to Jeffrey Loria signals a fresh start for the floundering franchise.

With Loria and his partners bringing much-needed funding, the Expos are headed to the winter meetings looking to make a statement as much as a trade or two. And for a change, they won’t be dumping their best players because they can’t afford them.

“We’re going to hold on to the players we have, and we’ll be able to improve the team,” minority owner Raymand Bachand said. “It’s very exciting.”...

Loria, who has remained in the background, will be introduced to Montreal fans at a news conference this week. In addition to the names of other members in his group, he also is expected to provide concrete plans for an open-air, 37,000 seat ballpark to be built in downtown Montreal. The Quebec government apparently has agreed to provide interest-free loans to induce the team to stop listening to overtures from cities such as Washington and Charlotte.

“Any decision to move or sell the team depends on the vast majority of partners, it’s not one person who will make a decision to move the team,” Bachand said. “The financial structure, including the government loans, are an incentive to stay here for the long term, and I have no concerns whatsoever about that.”