B4 SPORTS East Oregonian Saturday, June 22, 2019 MLB COLUMN We’re all part of Umatilla County history. Baseball is doomed on Florida’s Gulf Coast SHARE YOUR PHOTOS By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Columnist B aseball is doomed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Sure, they’ll still have spring training, not to mention sparkling beaches and early bird specials. But the Tampa Bay Rays will become the Montreal Expos (Version 2.0) in the not-too-distance future. Or, if that doesn’t pan out, there are potential backup plans in Portland, Charlotte and Nashville — maybe even Las Vegas, the once-scorned city of sin that every league now wants to be in. The Rays formally became lame ducks with word that Major League Baseball is allowing the team to explore the pos- sibility of playing part of its schedule in Montreal, a jarring but not really sur- prising development that is almost certainly the pre- cursor to this long-troubled franchise fi nding a perma- nent home far away from Tampa Bay. There is much work to be done, for sure. A pesky lease at the Tropicana Field that runs through 2027. The lack of a new stadium in Montreal. Not to mention the more immediate issues that are sure to crop up from a team playing “home” games in two cities that are roughly 1,300 miles apart. But, rest assured, there won’t be a team in Tampa Bay a decade from now — and, in all likelihood, the end will come several sea- sons earlier. There was a giddy reac- tion north of the border, where the original Expos resided from 1969-2004 before moving to Wash- AP Photo/Paul Chiasson, File Starved for fans despite success on the fi eld, the Tampa Bay Rays have been given the go-ahead by MLB to look into play- ing a split season in Montreal. An idea under consideration is for the Rays to play early in the season in Tampa Bay and later in Montreal at Olympic Stadium (above). ington and becoming the Nationals. Montreal still has a devoted base of baseball fans and deserved a better fate the fi rst time around. Another version of the Expos would have a strong shot at long-term success under the right circum- stances — most notably, deep-pocketed ownership and a new ballpark. Both requirements are moving toward reality. Stephen Bronfman, son of the Expos’ origi- nal owner, Charles Bron- fman, is spearheading the drive to bring baseball back to Montreal. He appears to be far enough along in his efforts that MLB agreed to the extraordinary step of exploring a two-city solu- tion for the Rays’ fi nancial woes. “I think we’re close,” Bronfman told reporters in March before the Toronto Blue Jays played an exhi- bition game at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, which has become a well-attended tradition in recent years. “There’s a feeling in the air.” Bronfman has moved to acquire a prime parcel of land that would be the centerpiece of a new sta- dium in Montreal. While he’s continually preached patience, no doubt mind- ful of how the Expos failed in their numerous attempts to replace the Big Owe, it’s clear that a path is being cleared for baseball’s return. The Expos, let’s not for- get, drew over 1 million fans their fi rst six years even while playing at tiny Jarry Park. After moving to Olympic Stadium in 1977, they drew more than 2 mil- lion fans four times and were one of the more pop- ular teams in the National League through much of the 1980s. “It was a destination spot,” said Steve Rogers, a fi ve-time All-Star pitcher for the Expos. “I have no doubt that the city of Mon- treal would go over the top now to embrace a major league team.” The Expos’ fortunes turned after Bronfman sold the team in 1990. The East Oregonian is proud to announce its partnership with Athena Public Library, City of Echo, Milton-Freewater Area Historical Society, Pendleton Round-up, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, Umatilla County Historical Society and our readers on a new pictorial history book, “Umatilla County Memories: The Early Years.” YOU’RE INVITED We are excited to invite you, our readers, to participate in this unique project. Please bring your photos to one of our scanning sessions listed here — and be sure to check our submission guidelines. Photos will be scanned on-site and given right back to you. In order to keep things speedy, please fill out our simple photo submission form prior to the session. Forms can be downloaded at Umatilla.PictorialBook.com. Please plan to fill out one form for each photo you’d like to submit. Download submission forms and pre-order at Umatilla.PictorialBook.com SUBMISSION GUIDELINES General interest photos, such as: commerce, industry, transportation, rural life, public service, etc. Photos taken between the 1800s and 1939. Photos only — preferably original (no newspaper clippings or photocopies). Photos taken in Umatilla County. P E N D L E T O N Limit 10 photos per family. No appointment necessary. If you’re a private collector, call 360-723-5800 to set up an appointment. th of july HOSTED BY THE PENDLETON VFW “LET’ ER BUCK” POST 922 SCANNING SESSIONS 10 AM Thursday, July 4, 2019 THEME: Saturday, June 22 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tribal images only Tamástslikt Cultural Institute “Only in America” 47106 Wildhorse Boulevard, Pendleton Sunday, June 23 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Echo Bank Building and Historical Museum 230 W. Main Street, Echo Horse Staging Area: Western Auto/Baxter Parking Lot Line-Up Area: SW Dorion Street Monday, June 24 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Athena Public Library 418 E. Main Street, Athena From City of Pendleton building on SW Dorion to Main Street to SW Court to the Convention Center Wednesday, June 26 10 a.m. – noon Umatilla County Historical Society Heritage Station Museum 108 SW Frazer, Pendleton Any Individual, Organization or Business - ALL ARE WELCOME Thursday, June 27 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Milton-Freewater Area Historical Society and Frazier Farmstead Museum All Entries will receive a participation ribbon. Trophies will be awarded in the following 14 Categories: MOTORIZED - Best ClubMOTORIZED - Judges’ Choice BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL • FIRST RESPONDERS & ARMED FORCES PEOPLE WITH PETS • BAND / DRUM & BUGLE • YOUTH DANCE & DRILL GROUPS • FLOATS • CIVIC GROUPS & SERVICE CLUBS YOUTH GROUPS • EQUESTRIAN (2 riders or less) EQUESTRIAN GROUPS • EQUESTRIAN GROUPS - Royalty HORSE & BUGGY/WAGON In Addition, the VFW will award the “Patriot Trophy” to the entrant with the most overall votes 1403 Chestnut Street, Milton-Freewater (Winner of Patriot Trophy not eligible for additional trophies) May be picked up at the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, Dean’s Athletic, DG Gifts, Elite Guns & Tactical and the Pendleton Downtown Association You may also mail requests to VFW Post 922 • PO Box 787 • Pendleton, OR 97801 or email requests to: fbradbury@yahoo.com Questions? Call Fred Bradbury at 541-377-7474 MASTER PRINTERS N W Printing • Copy Center • Graphic Design Not all photos submitted or used in ads will appear in the final book.