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The Montreal Expos were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec, that served as the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. Established in 1968 through an expansion granted by MLB, the team was primarily owned by Canadian businessman Charles Bronfman from its inception until 1991. The Expos began playing in 1969 at Jarry Park Stadium before moving to the Olympic Stadium in 1977, competing in the National League (NL) East division. Known for their distinctive logo featuring a stylized 'M' with a fleur-de-lis and maple leaf, the team symbolized Canadian participation in America's pastime, though they faced challenges such as bilingual broadcasting requirements and a smaller fanbase in a non-U.S. market. Over their 36 seasons in Montreal, the Expos cultivated a loyal following and produced Hall of Famers like Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Pedro Martinez, with notable achievements including four playoff appearances and a franchise-record 74 wins in the strike-shortened 1994 season. Despite early promise, the Expos struggled with financial instability, ownership transitions, and declining attendance in the 1990s and early 2000s, exacerbated by the team's shared use of Olympic Stadium with the Montreal Alouettes and a major league strike in 1994. After Bronfman's sale to a consortium in 1991, subsequent owners like Claude Brochu and Jeffrey Loria faced mounting debts, leading to MLB assuming control in 2002. The franchise played its final season in Montreal in 2004 before relocating to Washington, D.C., and rebranding as the Washington Nationals in 2005. The move remains controversial, with Montreal fans and city officials criticizing MLB for prioritizing U.S. market expansion over sustaining the Expos, resulting in ongoing efforts to revive MLB in the city. The Expos' legacy includes breaking barriers for international baseball, fostering Canadian talent like Expos draftees who contributed to the sport's growth, and leaving an indelible mark on Montreal's sports history.