Expos vote to play entire 2004 season in Montreal

*Expos vote to play entire 2004 season in Montreal*

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FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - The Montreal Expos have voted to make Olympic Stadium their permanent home in 2004.

Prior to Friday's game against the New York Mets, the players voted to play the entire 2004 season in Montreal, negating Major League Baseball's plan to have the team again play a portion of their schedule in Puerto Rico or Mexico.

The decision by the players now forces the hand of baseball, which operates the team. It had hoped to boost revenues by having Montreal play 22 of its 81 home games in San Juan, Puerto Rico or Monterrey, Mexico.

The Expos went 13-9 in San Juan this season but felt the adverse effects associated with extra travel hurt their chance to compete for a postseason berth. Montreal began Friday's play at 78-76, seven games behind Florida in the National League wild card chase.

MLB has said that bypassing the opportunity to generate additional income could result in the team having its already austere payroll slashed.

The players and their union seem prepared to deal with the consequences.

"There will be no split season," said Gene Orza, associate counsel for the Players Association. "It's not a negotiating ploy, believe me. It's their decision and that's what we will do."

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