The Expos at the start

Jim “Mudcat” Grant pitches during the Expos’ inaugural game in 1969

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the late, sometimes great Montreal Expos’ inaugural game at Shea Stadium.

Jim “Mudcat” Grant is the Expos’ starting pitcher that day, but does not last long as he allows three runs on six hits before leaving the game with one out in the second inning.

The Mets’ Tom Seaver facing Maury Wills, the Expos’ first batter in 1969

Historians note that shortstop Maury Wills is the Expos’ first batter, but that at-bat does not go well for him as he strikes out looking against the Mets’ Tom Seaver.

The expansion Expos stunningly win that first game 11-10, but the Mets eventually stun everyone later that season by beating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series.

The Expos end up playing 36 seasons in Montreal before Major League Baseball forces the franchise to relocate to Washington, D.C., after the 2004 season.

Montreal faithful today continue to wait for another team to call their own, whether through an expansion team or another one looking to relocate.