The list of active former Expos is dwindling rapidly.

“If he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts but caught Cole’s three-hit shutout, he’d be all smiles after the game because he helped Cole win a game and throw a shutout and he wouldn’t care about his strikeouts,” former teammate Mike Sweeney said. “That’s what makes him a great teammate. He puts the team first. It’s all about winning. Nothing is about himself.”

I'd say if he truly had put his team and winning first he wouldn't be 0-for-4 with 4 Ks, no?

With Schneider and Nick Johnson now out, the ranks continue to dwindle. (EDIT: Sodastream Cola Free to boteman.)

Ex-Expos who played in MLB in 2012, by my reckoning: Luis Ayala, Miguel Batista, Geoff Blum (now a broadcaster), Jamey Carroll, Endy Chavez, Bruce Chen (was the Brian Schneider of pitchers, until he unforgivably left the NL East), Bartolo Colon, Scott Downs, Livan Hernandez ("plans to play in 2013"!), Maicer Izturis, Ted Lilly, Guillermo Mota, Spleenless Carl Pavano, Jon Rauch, and Juan Rivera. (Vlad played a few games in the minors, and Javy Vazquez keeps making comeback noises.)

At least trading for Schneider didn't turn out as badly for the Mets as I and most others feared.

Back when Schneider was a Met, I read about a TV ad he did for a local business. The idea of the ad was he that he was having trouble filming the ad itself, because he was being swarmed and interrupted by autograph seekers. Someone online described the ad, then wrote that Schneider could have walked the length of Manhattan while wearing his Mets uniform and he wouldn't have been stopped.

#2: The only one missing from that list is Shawn Hill, who started the year in the Atlantic League and finished it by pitching 3 innings for the Jays.

[3] not exactly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UuRLrhIWzw

Also, Brendan Harris, Val Pascucci and Claudio Vargas played in AAA last year. Chad Cordero talked of a comeback last July.

Au Revoir Les Expos.

Brian's wife:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/extramustard/03/26/hotclicks.0326/index.html

During the summer of 2005, I had a powerful combo of adderall and marijuana working (summer school + work). I was eating pizza, pausing between papers, and caught the tail end of an afternoon Cubs/Nats game on WGN. I watched the last few innings.

Nats were up 4-2 in the 8th, Livan is throwing a Livan-gem, but Lee triples and Burnitz doubles, scoring Lee (4-3). Todd Walker hits a deep fly that moves Burnitz to third. Then, with Hollandsworth up, Schneider wizards one to third and nails Burnitz.

It was Burnitz, yeah, but it was the kind of throw only a "real catcher" made. For at least 15 minutes, I thought Schneider was one of the best C's in the league. Please consider the circumstances above.

(I love BBRef)

Madame Secretary looks great!

[3] not exactly

I'm sorry for you and your actual clip of the specific thing, but somebody on the internet several years ago once said otherwise. As cable news says, it's been a spirited discussion but we'll have to leave it there.

I've updated my "Last Man Standing" list.

It's a Google spreadsheet that lists all of the defunct or moved MLB franchises, and the last man to play in the majors from that franchise/team, and the last man living from that franchise/team.

For example:
Baltimore Orioles (AL) - 1901-1902
(Became New York Yankees)
Last man playing in the majors from that franchise/team: Roger Bresnahan (1915)
Last man alive from that franchise/team: Andy Oyler (1970)

New York Giants (NL) - 1883-1957
(Became San Francisco Giants)
Last man playing in the majors from that franchise/team: Willie Mays (1973)
Last man alive from that franchise/team: There are 38 players still alive (and a separate sheet lists their names)

At the bottom I also list the last man playing and/or alive from the defunct leagues (NA, UA, PL, AA, FL).

Don't forget that Urbina is trying to get back in the running.

He seemed like a pretty good guy the one time I met him in 2005. He felt like his dogs were getting more press than he was.

Don't forget that Urbina is trying to get back in the running.

He's taking a whack at it, isn't he?

I've updated my "Last Man Standing" list.

Good stuff, RTG. (Am I the only one who's shocked that there are still so many living ex-St. Louis Browns?)

I once met Brian Schneider and told him he was a great catcher and asked for my autograph. He just looked at me like I was crazy and went on his way.

Of course I never figured out why he was taking chemistry at my school.

I once met Brian Schneider and told him he was a great catcher and asked for my autograph. He just looked at me like I was crazy and went on his way.

Well, asking other people for your autograph is weird.

He seemed like a pretty good guy the one time I met him in 2005. He felt like his dogs were getting more press than he was.

I suppose the fact that I don't know why his dogs would be notable tells you just how much press he got. :-)

BTW, Ian Desmond was drafted by the "Expos", and Roger Bernardina signed with them at one point but didn't play for them. Presumably we all agree those don't count...