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Major League Baseball Comes to Canada
Play ball! From the impromptu games of "town ball" in the 1800s, through Jackie Robinson's Montreal Royals to the Expos and Blue Jays, Canadians have always been infatuated with baseball. But getting big league teams to come to Canada proved harder than hitting a grand slam. It took decades of persuading, promoting, wheeling and dealing, but eventually America's favourite pastime found a home in the great white north.		Educational activities about Major League Baseball Comes to Canada

	Baseball's humble beginnings		Jackie Robinson puts Montreal on the baseball map		Les Expos sont là!
	From "The New York Game" played by socialites in 1845, to the first professional Canadian teams, Miller Stewart tracks baseball's early history. (Radio; runs 13:26)		In 1946 a rookie second baseman for the Montreal Royals changes the face of baseball forever. (TV; runs 3:45)		After 10 years without a significant team, Montreal welcomes Canada's first Major League Baseball franchise. (Radio; runs 28:40)

	Montreal Expos first game and home opener		'Nos Expos' are the talk of the town		Will Toronto ever get a franchise?
	In two wild games, the Montreal Expos stun the Mets in New York and then the Cardinals at Montreal's Jarry Park. (TV; runs 2:04)		A tiny stadium, creative organist and unusual baseball terminology make Expos games popular with both tourists and locals. (Radio; runs 10:35)		Just when it looks like Toronto is going to get an American League franchise, U.S. President Gerald Ford gets in the way. (TV; runs 2:03)

	Toronto joins the big leagues		No beer for 'Toronto the Good'		Blue Jays or snow birds?
	After decades of lobbying, baseball's American League grants Toronto an expansion franchise. (Radio; runs 8:04)		Toronto's Exhibition Stadium is the only big league ballpark sans suds. (Radio; runs 3:03)		Toronto welcomes big league baseball to the great white north as the Blue Jays win a freezing home opener. (Radio; runs 1:37)

	How to spit on umpires' feet without getting caught		Expos say 'Au revoir'
	Danny Finkleman investigates the "horrible" hallmark of professional baseball: chewing tobacco. (TV; runs 3:07)		After 36 seasons, Canada's first big league team heads south. (Radio; runs 6:46)

LINKS Topic from Les Archives de Radio-Canada on the same subject Bienvenue dans les ligues majeures CBC.ca CBC Sports: Baseball External sites Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame: History Toronto Blue Jays Official Site -- History Montreal Expos Official Site: History Jackie Robinson: Vive Le Montreal The CBC assumes no responsibility for the content of external links.

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