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If the day comes when a reborn Montreal Expos team is playing ball at beautiful new Felipe Alou Park, we have to hope the field will never be sullied with the designated hitter.

I don’t like the DH — but that’s not the problem. The problem is a division called the American League East.

I know, I know. I am as guilty as most people who want to see Major League Baseball return to this city. I thought instant rivalries with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees made it a no-brainer for the Expos to play in the AL East.

Upon further reflection, I’ve concluded for prospective owners Mitch Garber and Stephen Bronfman, the AL East should be a deal-breaker.

Here’s the thing: On June 5 this year, I happened to notice the well-heeled Blue Jays had already lost their 34th game of the season. How long, I wondered, would it take the Yankees and Red Sox to reach that level? I guessed it would be around three weeks, meaning the Jays were, in effect, three weeks behind.