Expos Managing General Partner Jeffrey Loria addressed
the media before the team's home game against the D'Backs
yesterday in what was "perhaps his most extensive public
conversation since those early, heady days when he was
hailed as the saviour of baseball in Montreal, according to
Stephanie Myles of the Montreal GAZETTE. Now, Loria is
"vilified in many quarters as the man who arrived with a
cunning master plan to move the team out of town." Loria
confirmed yesterday that "he still hasn't reached agreement
with the local partnership to buy out their 76-per-cent
share" of the team, but said that a press conference "will
probably be held during the team's last homestand" of the
season to "clarify some of what Loria referred to as the
'misinformation that may be out there.'" Loria also called
the "criticism of the club's lack of a marketing plan
'hogwash,'" and noted the team's winter caravan drive to
boost ticket sales was "by far the biggest and best in
recent years." Loria: "(The fans) are not responding. I
don't know why. We need to keep encouraging them" (Montreal
GAZETTE, 8/30). Loria also said, "So far, we've received
very little support from the business community." Loria
also dismissed reports of infighting between the team's
ownership board: "I don't squabble with anybody, I haven't
spoken with any of these guys you think I'm squabbling with"
(AP, 8/30). Asked if he would consider selling his stake in
the team, Loria replied, "Read my lips: never." Last
night's game was played before a Expos-season-low crowd of
6,029, while the team's 12,290 average attendance continues
to be the lowest in MLB (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/30).