ESPN One of Three Bidders for MLB Rights Despite Recent Opt-Out, Rob Manfred Confirms

ESPN's relationship with Major League Baseball, which dates back to 1990, may not be over just yet.

Months after ESPN opted out of the remainder of a seven-year deal with MLB set to run through 2028 after the league declined to reduce its annual rights fee from $550 million (and MLB did the same, largely ceremonially, after the fact), the two sides are back at the negotiating table.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed as much in an interview with CNBC's Alex Sherman, stating that the network—along with NBC and Apple—have bid on the package for , the same deal that ESPN opted out of earlier this year. Evidently the two sides have buried the hatchet a bit since Manfred called ESPN a "shrinking platform" after the opt-outs. As MLB looks to find local media rights solutions, as it currently produces and distributes those games for the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Padres, Rockies and Twins, ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer subscription service could be a potential solution. From CNBC:

Sherman floats the possibility that MLB could split its package between two of the bidders, potentially fetching more than the $550 million it brings in from ESPN alone in the process.

NBC may also be interested in as a bridge between its current and upcoming offerings. Apple TV+ currently airs Friday night MLB games for $85 million per year and recently reported that the service is "potentially the leading streamer land some of the MLB media rights currently resting with ESPN."

MLB's new agreements are expected to run through 2028, to line up with the expiration dates for the league's deals with Fox and TNT, allowing the league to go to market with its full suite of offerings in a few years.

Orioles Pitcher Had Comically Short Walk to Join Blue Jays After Doubleheader Trade

The Baltimore Orioles hosted the Toronto Blue Jays for a doubleheader on Tuesday, with both games played at Camden Yards. In between the two games, the teams’ front offices got a bit of business done.

After game one, the Orioles agreed to trade relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez to the Blue Jays. As there was another game to be played, that meant Dominguez was to report directly to the visiting clubhouse to join up with his new team.

Cameras captured the awkward moment as the reliever was guided through the stadium, from one locker room to the other, by a member of the Blue Jays organization as he set off to meet his new teammates.

It wasn't a long journey for Dominguez, despite being traded to MLB's only international organization.

It's the second year in a row that he was traded mid-season, having gone from the Phillies to the Orioles at last year's trade deadline, and now from Baltimore to Toronto this season. It will certainly be interesting to see if he's in his new Blue Jays uniform and in the bullpen for the second leg of the doubleheader.

Across 43 appearances, Dominguez, 30, owns a 3.24 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 43 1/3 innings.

مسؤول برشلونة السابق يحرض الإدارة ضد لامين يامال

حرض توني فريكسا، المدير التنفيذي السابق لنادي برشلونة، إدارة بطل الدوري الإسباني على اتخاذ أي إجراءات ضرورية ضد النجم لامين يامال، حال خروج الأمور المتعلقة به عن السيطرة.

وواجه لامين يامال الكثير من المشاكل مؤخرًا، بسبب تصريحاته الإعلامية وحرصه على استفزاز خصومه بشكل مستمر، عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، قبل المباريات الكبرى.

ويرى الكثيرون أن الضجيج المنتشر حول لامين يامال قد أثر على مستواه بشكل سلبي في الفترة الأخيرة، حيث إنه لا يقدم أداءً مشابهًا لما كان عليه في الموسم الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رد فعل ريال مدريد تجاه تصريحات لابورتا الساخرة من فلورنتينو بيريز

وقال فريكسا في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “لو كان لامين ابني، لقلت له إنه ليس بالمستوى الذي يُقال عنه، سأقول له استمر في العمل الجاد ولا تُصدق أي شيء تسمعه، ركز فقط على كرة القدم”، مؤكدًا على ضرورة حمايته ومنع الضجيج الإعلامي من تشويه مسيرته.

وأضاف: “إذا كان لدى لامين أي مشكلة تحتاج إلى معالجة، فعلينا مساعدته، نظريًا إذا وصل الأمر إلى حد لا يمكن فيه حل هذه المشكلة، فهذه ليست نهاية العالم، سيستمر برشلونة”.

وترى صحيفة “سبورت” أن فريكسا ترك الباب مفتوحًا بتلك الطريقة أمام سيناريوهات تتضمن ضمنيًا إمكانية بيع لامين يامال، إذا لزم الأمر، للحفاظ على استقرار النادي الرياضي أو المؤسسي.

وشدد: “لا أستبعد أي سيناريو، أفكر في ناديي، جميع أعضاء النادي موجودون هنا مؤقتًا فقط، المهم هو برشلونة”.

Dave Roberts Had a Simple Message for Dodgers Before Popping Champagne

The Los Angeles Dodgers made quick work of the Cincinnati Reds in their National League wild-card series as they cruised to a 8-4 victory in Game 2 thanks to big nights from Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Next up for the defending World Series champions is a date with the Philadelphia Phillies in what should be must-see TV.

Major League Baseball seasons are marathons and teams rightly celebrate their accomplishments by going all out even if they have much larger goals in mind, so the Dodgers piled into their victorious locker room to party it up after sweeping the Reds. But not before manager Dave Roberts charged them with a responsibility.

"There's a lot of work to be done," he said. "My only ask is that every single guy be ready when called upon. Keep your minds right. We're going to need every single one of you guys. Stay in it. Stay focused. Keep playing for each other. Let's go!"

The end of the motivational speech meant it was time to pop bottles and Los Angeles, even despite all its recent history, enjoyed it like it was the very first time.

South Africa begin WTC title defence as Pakistan eye home revival

Big picture

This is a series of opposites and inversions. South Africa, the side that won the World Test Championship this year, visit Pakistan, the team that finished bottom. Two sides historically known for their legendary fast bowling prowess will look to manufacture alternate means of taking 20 wickets, with the conditions set to favour each team’s less decorated spin bowlers. South Africa will look to complete a record-extending 11th straight Test win, while Pakistan have triumphed in just three of their previous 12.Even the venue is a bit incongruous for the occasion. Despite Test cricket returning to Pakistan after a decade-long hiatus in 2019, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hasn’t seen much of it, with just one five-day game played here, three years ago. All told, this will be just the second Test since 2009 to be played in Lahore, with the Gaddafi Stadium regaining its original position in Pakistan after the stadium was knocked down and rebuilt ahead of the Champions Trophy this year.South Africa are in a somewhat unprecedented position, beginning a world title defence. An ICC trophy was elusive enough for the side to put any notions of defending one into uncharted territory. But a credible defence will have to go through this awkward test in Pakistan. They will do so without the services of their talismanic captain Temba Bavuma, whom his stand-in Aiden Markram termed “irreplaceable”. As importantly, they will miss Keshav Maharaj for the first Test, needing the internationally less experienced Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen to step up.Related

  • Pakistan prepare for South Africa with precious little first-class cricket

The hosts are in the early stages of an experiment with the surfaces they prepare, one that has brought them results, but also left games heavily dependent on the toss. Pakistan have won three of the four home Test matches played under this system, but three of four have also been won by the side batting first. Pakistan have three finger spinners in their line-up which make their intentions plain, while Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan return to the side after white-ball absences. In theory, Pakistan have a soft enough draw to make qualification for this edition’s final in two years a realistic prospect. But two Test matches, such as the ones coming up, are a long enough time in Pakistan cricket, let alone two years.

Form guide

Pakistan: LWLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa: WWWWW

In the spotlight

Perhaps it says more about Pakistan than it does about Noman Ali, but the man who celebrated his 39th birthday last week is the most important player for the home side this week. With Sajid Khan struggling to overcome a bout of flu, the left-arm spinner needs to take on even more responsibility on the kind of surface Pakistan will prepare almost exclusively suited to his strengths. Noman last played red-ball cricket in February, but he has taken 36 wickets in his last four Tests, making full use of conditions. Sajid just about picked up the other half, but in his absence, Pakistan will ask even more of the man who has entered his 40th year.Ryan Rickelton is still finding his way as an opener in the longest format•Associated Press

Ryan Rickelton has 638 runs in 19 Test innings, and is still finding his way as an opener in the longest format. Nearly half of those runs, though, came in one mammoth innings earlier this year against Pakistan, when he amassed 259 as South Africa ground Pakistan into the Newlands dirt. There is an unbeaten hundred against Sri Lanka, but aside from that, he has yet to cross 42 in 17 other innings. As South Africa begin their defence and Rickelton takes guard in conditions he has not faced before, it remains to be seen whether his happy memories against Pakistan can overcome his otherwise modest Test record.

Team news

Pakistan’s biggest headache is the potential unavailability of Sajid Khan as he battles flu. The offspinner did rejoin the Pakistan camp, but Shan Masood said a decision on whether he plays will be taken last minute.Pakistan (possible): 1 Abdullah Shafique/Imam ul Haq, 2 Shan Masood (capt) 3 Kamran Ghulam 4 Babar Azam 5 Saud Shakeel 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 7 Salman Ali Agha 8 Noman Ali 9 Khurram Shahzad 10 Sajid Khan/Abrar Ahmed 11 Asif AfridiSouth Africa captain Aiden Markram kept his cards close to his chest regarding the eleven, though it is inevitable the visitors will also go spin-heavy.South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Bedingham (wk), 6 Kyle Verreynne, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Prenelan Subrayen, 9 Senuran Muthusamy, 10 Simon Harmer, 11 Kagiso Rabada

Pitch and conditions

The previous week saw unseasonal rains and cool temperatures in Lahore, but that weather system has been washed away. The Test will be played under hot October sunshine. That should help break the surface, almost certainly spin-friendly, up even quicker. It was kept under cover today. The winner of the toss will almost certainly bat first.

Stats and trivia

  • South Africa have won 10 Test matches on the trot, their longest streak in history
  • Babar Azam is 251 runs away from becoming the 5th Pakistan batter to 15,000 international runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad are the only players to have achieved that feat.

Quotes“It’s a good opportunity for us to start against the defending champions. It will be a good yardstick for us to play against them, especially if we can get a good result against them.” “Preparation has been good. We had a camp back in South Africa where we tried to simulate conditions as best as we could. There was a lot of focus on spin play and our spinners getting used to the ball spinning a lot compared to South Africa.” South African captain Aiden Markram reveals what the visitors tried to do to replicate the conditions they are likely to encounter

Seahawks Could Move Two Games Due to Mariners Conflicts

It's not often that the Mariners and Seahawks conflict in October—but this year is different.

Thanks to the Mariners' first American League West Division title since 2001, the Seahawks may have to move two games, according to a Saturday evening report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Per Schefter, the Seahawks have home games against the Buccaneers on Oct. 5 and the Texans on Oct. 20 that could conflict with the ALDS and ALCS, respectively—should the Mariners get that far. In the event of a conflict, the Seahawks may have to adjust their kickoffs.

Why is this a problem?

"The infrastructure of the area surrounding the Mariners' T-Mobile Park and the Seahawks' Lumen Field—which are practically next door to each other, a mere one-tenth of a mile apart—is not designed to support two games played at the same time and would create logistical issues that include a chaotic traffic situation along with overcrowding," Schefter wrote.

The last time the Mariners won a division title in '01, the Seahawks were in the middle of a two-year stint at Husky Stadium—home of Washington football—while Lumen Field was being built.

Casemiro replacement: Man Utd to make £42m bid for "one of the best CMs"

Manchester United have endured a phenomenal upturn in form over the last couple of weeks, as seen by their run of three Premier League victories in a row.

Ruben Amorim appears to be finally silencing the doubters, after being subject to countless barrages of criticism from supporters and pundits across the country.

However, his work in the transfer window is largely to thank, with his additions from the recent summer transfer window already having an immediate impact at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo arrived in a £71m deal from Brentford and has already taken the role as the Red Devils’ main talisman, as seen by his tally of five goals in his first nine league outings.

Despite the additions within the final third, Amorim and the hierarchy are still hunting for a new central midfielder to take the first-team squad to the next level in the near future.

Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January

Over the last couple of months, United have been hugely touted with a winter move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, after his phenomenal start to the 2025/26 season.

The 22-year-old has started all nine Premier League games to date, resulting in his maiden England call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad – subsequently cementing his place as a regular starter.

However, any deal could prove to be a somewhat expensive one, with Sean Dyche’s side currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature.

He’s not the English midfielder currently in their sights, with Borussia Dortmund star Jobe Bellingham another target for the Red Devils, according to one Spanish outlet.

They have reported that Amorim’s side are preparing a €50m (£42m) offer for the 20-year-old despite only joining the Bundesliga outfit back in the recent summer transfer window.

It also states that the player is growing frustrated with his lack of minutes, having only started two league outings in 2025/26 and featured for a total of 208 minutes.

Why United’s £42m target would be the perfect Casemiro replacement

Many United fans expected Casemiro’s minutes at United to be extremely limited this season after struggling to impress, some Amorim took the reins back in November last year.

The Brazilian, who’s now 33, has even been called into question by numerous pundits over the last few years, many of whom have claimed he’s no longer at the level required for the Premier League.

Jamie Carragher infamously said that ‘the football has left him’ and recommended that the former Real Madrid star move to Saudi Arabia or America to end his career.

However, he’s been a key component of Amorim’s side this campaign, subsequently featuring in eight of the nine league outings – even scoring twice and notching an assist.

Casemiro’s latest goal came in the recent triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion, stepping up to the plate when the manager and team needed him most.

Despite his recent form at Old Trafford, there’s little denying he’s entering the final years of his career at the top level, with his current deal at the Red Devils set to expire in the summer of 2026.

The supporters shouldn’t worry about a potential departure, especially if the rumours around a move for Bellingham come to fruition in the winter or summer transfer window.

Whilst the Englishman has struggled for action in the current season, he’s still managed to produce numerous incredible stats that would see him be a monster hit with the fans in Manchester.

Bellingham, who’s been labelled “one of the best midfielders” by the Second Tier Podcast, has completed 88% of his attempted, whilst ranking in the 89th percentile for touches per 90.

Games played

8

Minutes played

208

Pass accuracy

88%

Touches per 90

84.8

Tackles made

2.2

Duels won

6.5

Aerials won

71%

Fouls won

1.7

Such figures highlight his incredible ability with the balm at his feet, with such a skillset adding yet another talented technician to the heart of Amorim’s first-team squad.

Out of possession, the youngster has been just as impressive, making 2.2 tackles per 90 to date, whilst also winning 6.5 duels per 90 – highlighting his workmanlike style.

Other tallies, such as a 71% aerial duel success rate and 1.7 fouls won per 90, showcase his all-round ability, which has made him a constant nuisance to countless opponents.

£42m may seem a hefty sum of money for the Dortmund star, but it certainly could prove to be a fantastic piece of business if he reaches his full potential.

At just 20, he has bags of time to develop further, whilst also offering the club a long-term replacement for the experienced Casemiro into 2026/27 and beyond.

Not Mbeumo: Man Utd's "world-class" star is now becoming Amorim's new Bruno

Manchester United have hit the jackpot on one star who could reach Bruno Fernandes’ level.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 28, 2025

Bancroft century boosts Gloucestershire's unbeaten streak

Overseas star carries his bat in 144-ball 143 to give his side four wins from four

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Aug-2025Gloucestershire 289 for 5 (Bancroft 143*) beat Glamorgan 288 for 9 (Byrom 94, Northeast 52, van Buuren 3-33) by five wicketsCameron Bancroft scored a superbly-judged unbeaten hundred to guide Gloucestershire to a convincing five-wicket victory over Glamorgan and extend their winning start to the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign to four games at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium.Set 290 to win and retain top spot in Group A, Gloucestershire were indebted to their overseas star, who carried his bat in posting 143 from 144 balls, striking 17 fours and two sixes and sharing in stands of 72 and 84 with Ben Charlesworth and Graeme van Buuren for the third and fifth wickets respectively as the home side reached their target with 20 balls to spare.Recalled to the team, allrounder van Buuren had earlier claimed 3 for 33 with the ball to ensure Eddie Byrom’s outstanding innings of 94 from 108 balls was made in a losing cause. Byrom staged a stand of 127 in 22.1 overs for the second wicket with Sam Northeast, who raised a 59-ball 52 after Gloucestershire had won the toss. Dan Douthwaite weighed in with a hard-hitting 43, but seamers Matt Taylor and Josh Shaw took three wickets apiece to restrict the Welsh county to 289 for 9.Gloucestershire remain the only side to boast a 100 percent record after four matches, but 2024 competition winners Glamorgan are still seeking their first victory and will have to win all of their remaining fixtures if they are to stand any chance of making the knockout stages.Gloucestershire inserted their neighbours on a flat surface and Matt Taylor struck an early blow, luring Asa Tribe into driving low to mid-off in the second over.Initially tied down by nagging line and length, Byrom and Northeast eventually broke the shackles, both heaving Taylor over the mid-wicket boundary rope as their alliance raised 50 in 49 balls.Gloucestershire engineered an opportunity with the advent of Ollie Price’s off-breaks, Northeast hitting to deep midwicket on 19. Although Zaman Akhter took the catch, his momentum carried him over the boundary and the batter enjoyed a fortuitous escape. There were no such issues for Byrom, who moved smoothly to a 46-ball half-century with his seventh four, a fluent straight drive off Craig Miles.The hundred partnership occupied 16.4 overs as Gloucestershire’s seamers struggled to contain the second-wicket pair, who were further aided by some uncharacteristically loose fielding from the Group A leaders. Making good his earlier escape, Northeast posted 50 from 57 balls, only to give van Buuren’s slow left arm the charge and be stumped by James Bracey immediately afterwards with the score 135 for 2.This was the breakthrough Gloucestershire had been wanting and experienced allrounder van Buuren then removed the in-form Kiran Carlson for nine in his next over, Glamorgan’s captain nicking behind as the visitors slipped to 151 for 3 at the halfway stage. Welsh ambition required Byrom to bat on and register a substantial score, but the Zimbabwe-born left-hander fell to a superb catch by Tommy Boorman on the deep square leg boundary as van Buuren struck another potentially crucial blow.Byrom had provided the innings with a solid platform but with the score 194 for 4 in the 35th, Gloucestershire felt they were back in the game, an impression confirmed when Will Smale edged a catch behind off the bowling of Matt Taylor and departed for 26.Just when Glamorgan looked as though they might fall short, Douthwaite launched a counter-attack, including four sixes and dominating a stand of 52 in 7.2 over for the sixth wicket with Zain-ul-Hassan before falling to the returning Shaw.Bracey afforded Gloucestershire’s chase a super-charged start, raising 34 from 25 balls in an opening stand of 43 in 5.3 overs with Bancroft. But Ned Leonard redressed the balance in his first over, taking two wickets in three balls to reduce the home side to 43 for 2. Bracey was caught at the wicket and then Price was out slashing at a delivery outside off stump, Northeast palming the ball into the air for Tribe to complete the dismissal at first slip.Bancroft and Charlesworth responded to adversity in positive fashion, finding the gaps and running hard between the wickets to add 50 in 10 overs and rebuild the innings without taking undue risk. Having contributed 37 to a stand of 72 for the third wicket, Charlesworth then lost concentration, lofting Carlson to wide long-off where Douthwaite took a superb catch on the run to reduce the home side to 115 for 3 in the 20th.Undeterred, Bancroft went to 50 from 59 balls and he and Jack Taylor advanced the score to 145 for 3 at halfway, at which point Gloucestershire were required to score a further 145 at 5.8 an over. The home side’s task was rendered more difficult when Taylor was deemed to have feathered a catch behind off the bowling of Harris in the 26th.Guiding the pursuit thereafter, Bancroft moved to his sixth career List-A hundred off 100 balls by lifting Andy Gorvin over the long-on boundary. He found an able ally in van Buuren, who proved especially strong off the back foot, scoring at a run a ball to ensure the rate stayed below six an over.Glamorgan lost wicketkeeper Alex Horton to a hand injury and he was replaced behind the stumps by Smale, but Gloucestershire’s fifth-wicket pair were already in control, combining deft placement with quick running to keep the scoreboard moving. Harris returned to pin van Buuren lbw for 36, but Boorman contributed a brisk 27 not out to an unbroken stand of 57 for the sixth wicket with Bancroft to calm any nerves and render the outcome a formality.

Celtic manager target Craig Bellamy now raves about one Hoops player

Rumoured Celtic manager target Craig Bellamy has shared praise for one Hoops player who has impressed under Martin O’Neill.

Celtic linked with shock Bellamy move

The Hoops are yet to appoint Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor, with O’Neill steadying the ship with wins over Falkirk and Rangers.

The Irishman booked Celtic’s place in the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend and there have been class he could stay on until the end of the current campaign due to his relationship with Dermot Desmond.

Wales boss Bellamy has been one of numerous managers linked with the full-time vacancy, though, with those at Parkhead even weighing up contact at the end of October.

Celtic can make Tierney completely unplayable by hiring 4-2-3-1 manager

Bellamy has even spoken out on the rumours of a move to Glasgow, saying: “It’s not on my radar – and it won’t be on my radar. I can understand the links because I played there, [now] I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links.

“But to me, I love what I’m doing at this present moment. I have to be honest, I’m completely focused on what’s to come. It looks it’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that and to me, that’s all I’m focused on and I know it’s a little bit cliched, but it’s the honest truth.

“I couldn’t want for anything more than what I have at this present moment and that’s where it lies with me.”

Bellamy shares praise for Celtic teenager Callum Osmand

Bellamy also expressed his disappointment that he could not consider Celtic teenager Callum Osmand for Wales selection after a change in the rules around the eligibility of players from the Channel Islands.

Jersey-born forward Osmand was capped by Wales at Under-16 and Under-17 level when players from the Channel Islands were able to represent any of the four Home Nations.

But a change in the rules means players from the Channel Islands – British Crown Dependencies who are not full FIFA or UEFA members – are now only eligible to play for England, and Osmand’s Wales career is at an end as he has no Welsh heritage.

Osmand made a dramatic impact since Celtic interim managers O’Neill and Shaun Maloney came in.

He made his senior debut in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk and netted his first goal for the club in Sunday’s 3-1 Hampden victory over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final. The 19-year-old has even been added to Celtic’s Europa League squad.

How Did the Expos Get to Washington? Explaining Their Strange Ownership Swap

This week has been a strangely newsy one for the Montreal Expos, a Major League Baseball team that has not taken the field since 2004.

The release of a Netflix documentary examining the team's demise—entitled —was long planned. However, the filmmakers probably didn't count on Canada's younger MLB team—the Blue Jays—reaching the World Series and throwing an even bigger spotlight on baseball in the Great White North.

Like many of baseball's more famous relocations—the Dodgers', the Giants', or (more recently) the Athletics'—the Expos' defection to Washington to become the Nationals marked the culmination of a long and arduous process. It was also unique in that it involved a quasi-ownership "trade" that influenced the fate of a franchise thousands of miles away from Quebec.

Here's a look at how Canada's second-largest city lost its team.

How did Jeffrey Loria buy the Expos?

Liquor magnate Charles Bronfman and five partners founded the Expos in 1969—a time when Montreal was still widely known as Canada's cultural capital (Toronto wouldn't jump it in population until Canada's 2001 census). The Expos found sledding tough in their early years, making just one playoff appearance (1981) despite numerous winning seasons. Bronfman sold the team to Claude Brochu in 1991, and after a tumultuous decade, Brochu sold a controlling stake to art dealer Jeffrey Loria in 2001.

How did Jeffrey Loria get out of his deal with the Expos?

For much of Montreal's existence, the team faced one overarching question: how would the team replace Olympic Stadium? The oft-derided building long overstayed its welcome for the 1976 Summer Olympics, and Loria quickly sought public funding for a new park. As attempts to replace Olympic Stadium dragged, MLB attempted to fold the Twins and Expos—a move only stopped by a successful court challenge. Amid this turmoil in Montreal, Loria sold the team to MLB and used the money to buy the Marlins—taking the Expos' resources with him.

How did the Expos get to Washington?

MLB's purchase of the team was effectively the ballgame for Montreal, but the years leading up to the team's relocation produced a slew of interesting what-ifs. First, in 2003 and 2004, the Expos split their home games between Montreal and San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium—routinely drawing better in Puerto Rico than in Canada. Along with San Juan, several non-Washington cities circled the Expos, with Charlotte and Portland discussed as contenders. Ultimately, the American capital won the Expos sweepstakes, and the team took on the name of several early Washington teams—the Nationals.

What is the legacy of the Expos' final years?

For many years, the legacy of the Expos' messy relocation seemed to be MLB's eagerness to avoid a repeat—but the Athletics' widely reviled, slow-motion departure from Oakland appears to have scuttled that. Montreal retains an appetite for baseball, as the Expos live on as a nostalgia item—"The DNA is still here even though they’re gone," documentary director Jean-François Poisson told 's Matthew Roberson Thursday. If expansion one day brings baseball back to Quebec, the Expos—as ever—will likely need to do something about Olympic Stadium, which somehow still stands on the eve of its 50th anniversary.