Even nearly two decades after the Montreal Expos moved, the bitterness and resentment of certain key players on the record seem palpable, most notably former owner Jeffrey Loria, who attacked one of the club’s former shareholders.
In his recent book, From the Front Row: Reflections of a Major League Baseball Owner and Modern Art Dealer, the 82-year-old didn’t mind throwing arrows at some. Among them is Pierre Michaud, who served as Provigo’s chief executive officer and said Friday, according to Loria and the Montreal Gazette: “We don’t like Americans here.” And by the way, we don’t like Jews.”
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Being of Jewish descent, the New York native added that Michaud, who declined to comment on the allegations despite calls from reporter Danny Gallagher, reacted violently when Loria refused to sell Expos shares to other shareholders. “You shouldn’t be doing this,” Michaud reportedly yelled before continuing with a tirade against Jews and Americans, according to the author.
“When I politely declined the offer, he angrily stood in front of my face. He was completely stunned, but I wasn’t surprised. He turned and left the room and I never spoke to him again. To this day, I still get annoyed at the nervousness and pride of my partners in Montreal.
A file that keeps people talking
The Expos saga ended with the club’s transfer, becoming the Washington Nationals at the end of the 2004 season. Previously, Loria said she struggled to keep the franchise alive in Montreal; Recall that after unanswered requests for money, he acquired nearly all of the partners’ shares and sold the team to Major League Baseball in 2002, shortly after acquiring the Florida Marlins. The businessman was richly rewarded when the Southern Club won the 2003 World Series.
“Even before I arrived in Montreal [en 1999]This market poses a challenge as revenue and fan support are limited, he said. However, my focus was on the possibility of doing something positive for baseball.”
The fight behind the scenes
Earlier this month, Journal columnist Rodger Brulotte spoke to the club’s former general partner and chairman Claude Brochu, who clarified that it was the shareholders at the time who appointed Loria in his place in December 1999, about two months after his departure. Brochu insisted he had no part in that decision.
And obviously, in his eyes, Loria isn’t the only one who should be wearing the fool’s hat when it comes to Loves’ departure.
“Yes, there were some arguments. I understand it better now because I learned that some of them sabotaged the project by claiming they had a better plan. Unfortunately, we’re still awaiting their plan,” he told Rodger Brulotte.
“It is unforgivable that an ideological conflict between owners would nullify our role as trustee of Expos in Montreal.”
The former shareholders filed a $100 million lawsuit in a Miami court against Loria and Big League Commissioner Bud Selig. However, her petition was denied by a federal judge in 2005.