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“I didn’t watch a ton of Blue Jays games, but I watched enough because they were on a lot more (than the Expos),” Anthopoulos said.

Among his favourite Expos memories was sitting in his bedroom listening to Dave Van Horne on the radio calling a game in San Diego on June 3, 1995, when Martinez pitched nine perfect innings against the Padres before giving up a hit in the 10th inning en route to a 1-0 victory. Martinez was not credited with a perfect game by Major League Baseball.

“I remember being in my room having Dave Van Horne on and thinking: ‘I wish this game was on TV right now.’”

When asked if he has a message for Expos fans today — 11 years after the team left town — Anthopoulos said: “We say it all the time, Canada’s Team, Canada’s Team, but (the Blue Jays) are the only team in Canada. Montreal’s an important market for us. A few years ago, we did a caravan there and that was a step in the right direction. And then finally playing four (preseason) games the last two years (at Olympic Stadium) I think is a step in the right direction, too. Now we’ve got a guy like (catcher Russell) Martin, who is from there, which I think has a connection as well.

“What’s exciting for me is that I think the walls between cities have been kind of broken down. This is the only team in Canada, we’re on TV all the time (on Sportsnet) — we’re on TV in French in that market as well (TVA Sports). I think we’ve done what we could as an organization to connect with the community. I think playing games there was a huge step in the right direction. I think everyone knows we’re huge proponents of Montreal being able to get a team back. I certainly feel that way, I know our CEO does, I know our ownership feels that way. It would be great for baseball in Canada.”