July 07, 2004

MLB: Still no decision on Expos

Man, a measly 974 days into the Montreal Expos relocation saga, and already some people are getting cranky. After MLB president Bob DuPuy revealed last week that a decision likely won't be forthcoming after next week's All-Star Game, as had been previously promised, a spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams has lashed out at MLB for foot-dragging.

"We need Major League Baseball to make a decision," said Tony Bullock, Williams' communications director. "We've been waiting a while. We're hopeful, but every time they get ready to make a decision, they push it back. ... There's a tremendous demand for downtown property in Washington. These sites just aren't going to sit here endlessly, waiting for Major League Baseball. ... They got the message pretty loud and clear from the mayor that we wanted a decision by the All-Star Game."

USA Today reported last week that D.C. and Northern Virginia are the likely finalists, though each locale's stadium plan faces legislative hurdles. D.C.-area stadium-tax opponents have begun to organize as well, under the banner of the NO DC Taxes for Baseball! Campaign, which notes: "The DC area is the largest metro area without a team and one of the wealthiest in the nation. Major League Baseball should be begging to come here rather than making outrageous demands." But where would Bud Selig be without making outrageous demands?