The Expos

April 1978

The year got off to a confident start with a sweep of Houston underneath the Astrodome. The very next day at Jack Murphy Stadium, the Padres went to town on the pitching of Maurice Warldron, who let up eight runs in 0.2 innings! San Diego would win that series with a 4-3 decision in the deciding game.

A sold-out stadium would see Montreal win their home opener, despite letting Atlanta score three runs in the first innings. Ken Forsch was credited with his second win of the season in a 5-3 result. A series victory against Houston would place Montreal in first position, although they would have to share it with Philadelphia.

A short-series (2 games) back at San Diego was split, and the Expos returned to home base to sweep the Phillies and win against the Pirates. Montreal were now leading the division by three whole games!.

A curious bout of schedule-making would now see the Dodgers and Expos engage in two four-game series. Like Montreal, the Dodgers had had a winning start to the season. Although the Expos would win the first game at Stade Olympique, the Dodgers would win six of the next seven games, the streak only broken by a 8-4 decision at Dodger Stadium where the misely Jamie Easterly secured a win on the road.

Second place. That certainly makes a difference to running dead last!

NL East
1. New York (15-12)
2. Montreal (15-13)
3. St Louis (13-12)
4. Philadelphia (12-13)
5. Chicago (12-14)
6. Pittsburgh (9-16)

NL West - Los Angeles are barely holding off the Giants
AL East - Detroit lead Baltimore by a game
AL West - California lead Texas by 2.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Scott McGregor (1.45)
Wins - Scott McGregor (4)
Saves - Mark Wiley (4)
Average - Andre Dawson (.354)
Home Runs - Andre Dawson (4)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (3)

May 1978

San Diego would prove to be easy fodder for the Expos, being shut out in two games and beaten 7-4 in the other. A short series at the Astrodome resulted in two wins for Montreal, which would be needed in the lead-up to eleven straight home games. Third baseman George Brett would be lost for the rest of the season, however, with a broken fibula. Prior to his accident, Brett was batting at a career-high .279.

San Francisco came back from a game down to be the first team to win a series inside Stade Olympique. The Pirates must have thought 'this is easy' after a 8-1 win, but would only score one run in their next four games. Scott McGregor only allowed three hits in one memorable 16-0 drubbing. Atlanta also went down in the final series of this particular homestand, although some eyebrows were raised with the brutaility of their 19-10 win. It almost seemed as though fielding was optional in that game.

Montreal would pack their bags for a seven-game roadtrip, but only ended up winning two of those games - a 6-3 win against the Giants, and a 5-4 win in extra-innings against Atlanta. It was in this game at the Fulton County Stadium that the Expos suffered double trouble in the injury department yet again, with Andre Dawson (ruptured cervical disc, three months) and Rusty Staub (broken collar bone, five weeks) the casualties.

With the loss of one of their best offensive weapons, and their steadying captain, the Expos dropped three of five games at Stade Olympique to finish off the month. However, they still had their heads above .500.

NL East
1. New York (38-18)
2. Montreal (31-25)
3. Philadelphia (30-25)
4. St Louis (27-26)
5. Chicago (25-28)
6. Pittsburgh (17-37)

NL West - The Giants now lead the Dodgers by 3
AL East - Baltimore lead the Yankees by 2.5
AL West - Oakland have the jump on the Angels by 3.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Scott McGregor (2.19)
Wins - Scott McGregor (7)
Saves - Mark Wiley (10)
Average - Dwight Evans (.372)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (12)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (4)

Draft Choices
2B Adrian Scott (64/85) - Dunedin FL
SP Curt Young (49/90) - Saginaw MI
RP Rick Luecken (47/87) - McAllen TX
1B David Green (49/83) - Managua, Nicargua
RP Chris Green (49/79) - Los Angeles CA
C Ed Hearn (50/76) - Stuart FL

June 1978

With the potential existing for the team to get bogged down by playoff speculation, a media ban was placed on all players with the exception of Rusty Staub. He immediately poured cold water on the enthuasism of the local press, stating that the first goal was to finish above .500. In any case, he added, any chance that the Expos had of winning the title rested with New York collapsing.

The Phillies stole a series from the 'Pos in the crulest possible fashion, scoring four runs in the ninth inning and then fanning three straight batsmen in a 4-3 win.

Tough times for the Expos set in after the draft, with the team winning just three games of a ten-game roadtrip. In fact, the team would not win another series this month, going down to the Mets (twice) and Cubs, and splitting a short series with Houston. In doing so, they dipped their noses under .500 for the first time this season.

NL East
1. New York (57-24)
2. Philadelphia (45-37)
3. St Louis (41-39)
4. Chicago (39-42)
5. Montreal (39-42)
6. Pittsburgh (27-34)

NL West - The Dodgers take back the lead from San Francisco, by 3.5
AL East - The Orioles lead New York by 5.5
AL West - Oakland and California appear to be the only two decent teams in this division.

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.32)
Wins - Ken Forsch (10)
Saves - Mark Wiley (13)
Average - Dwight Evans (.347)
Home Run - Dwight Evans (15)
Stolen Bases - Lee Culligan (7)

July 1978

The Expos had an indifferent start to the month, dropping a series against the Cubs but then sweeping the Dodgers. Rob Teal - the dependable substitute who had been filling in George Brett's shoes - suffered a severe knee ligament and we will not see him again this year. No Expos were chosen in the All-Star game - no, not even Scott McGregor, which is somewhat disappointing for the Cy Young Award winner.

Ten days later, Rusty Staub bit the bullet for 1978, breaking his fibula while attempting to steal a base. Although he is far a picture of perfect health at the best of times, this is Rusty's first serious injury in his 16-year career.

The final day of the month saw Montreal record their tenth win, a 4-3 decision against St Louis that took nearly six hours to complete.

Although not playing terrible baseball, the Expos have clearly fallen off the pace.

NL East
1. New York (75-30)
2. St Louis (56-47)
3. Philadelphia (54-49)
4. Chicago (53-53)
5. Montreal (49-58)
6. Pittsburgh (36-68)

NL West - Same old story. Dodgers over Giants by 2.5
AL East - Baltimore lead New York by 7.5. Nothing new here.
AL West - California lead Oakland by 3.5 games.

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.37)
Wins - Scott McGregor (11)
Saves - Mark Wiley (16)
Average - Dwight Evans (.333)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (19)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (7)

August 1978

Being thrashed in four games inside Busch Stadium is not an ideal way to start the month. In fact, the Expos would win just one of their first ten games this month, all against St Louis.

The trend continued all month, with Montreal unable to win a single series. Of course, Tom Seaver's Mets came to town and rubbed our noses in it all week long as well.

At the end of the month, Montreal are sitting at 55-81, needing only to win 26 straight games to break even for 1978.

NL East
1. New York (94-41)
2. St Louis (77-54)
3. Philadelphia (70-61)
4. Chicago (65-69)
5. Montreal (55-81)
6. Pittsburgh (46-88)

NL West - ATLANTA (!!!) lead the division, by 2 games over LA
AL East - Baltimore easily lead New York and can start thinking about October
AL West - California are powering along and lead Oakland by 13

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.54)
Wins - Scott McGregor (14)
Saves - Mark Wiley (18)
Average - Dwight Evans (.324)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (25)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (9)

September-October 1978

Glenn Abbott's season is over, succumbing to the same injury that claimed Rusty Staub. He has doubled his win total from last season, while shaving his ERA by one full run. That's the kind of progress we like to see!

For the first time, the Expos schedule would finish in September, not October. Montreal would split the record, winning at least one game in each series, including winning series on the road against Los Angeles, Pittsburgh (twice) and San Francisco. In the end though, one wondered whether a shot at a .500 season was squandered due to injuries at inopportune times.

NL East
1. New York (112-50)
2. St Louis (90-72)
3. Philadelphia (88-74)
4. Chicago (86-76)
5. Montreal (68-94)
6. Pittsburgh (55-107)

NL West
1. Atlanta (98-64)
2. Los Angeles (91-71)
3. San Francisco (79-83)
4. San Diego (78-84)
5. Cincinnati (68-94)
6. Houston (59-103)

AL East
1. Baltimore (115-47)
2. New York (94-68)
3. Detroit (92-70)
4. Boston (88-74)
5. Cleveland (71-91)
6. Toronto (66-96)
7. Milwaukee (52-110)

AL West
1. California (108-54)
2. Oakland (99-63)
3. Seattle (81-81)
4. Minnesota (72-90)
5. Texas (72-90)
6. Chicago (71-91)
7. Kansas City (53-109)

Making their return to post season play for the first time in twenty years - when they were based in Milwaukee - Atlanta would shock the Mets by winning the first two games at Fulton County Stadium. However, New York came back - as they invariably do - and took the series with a 1-0 win in the decider.

The ALCS also needed a deciding game, and it would be the California Angels heading off to their first ever World Series after upsetting Baltimore 6-2 in the decider. California would proceed to upset the Mets in the 1978 World Series after a monster sixth innings in Game Six produced five match-winning runs.

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1978 Batting            Team    G  AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR  BB    K  SB  CS    R  RBI  SLG  OBP
Cash, Dave                MON  162  .256  664  170  34  6  0  57  49  11  15  86  45  .325  .324
Lynn, Fred                MON  162  .240  587  141  24  11  18  75  92    3  5  70  89  .411  .328
May, Milt                MON  145  .248  577  143  23  2  14  32  68    1  0  54  60  .367  .287
Evans, Dwight            MON  162  .342  565  193  38  5  31  125  81    7  2  94  109  .591  .461
Mason, Jim                MON  140  .229  550  126  20  2  4  51  113    1  1  57  35  .295  .297
Culligan, Lee            MON  117  .165  406  67  14  5  0  42  72    8  8  43  18  .224  .244
Dawson, Andre            MON  82  .309  340  105  15  7  18  23  46    6  3  63  66  .553  .354
Staub, Rusty              MON  65  .282  245  69  7  0  8  32  31    0  0  37  35  .408  .370
Teal, Rob                MON  66  .212  203  43  10  1  3  14  52    1  1  11  22  .315  .274
Ashford, Tucker          MON  64  .127  189  24  3  0  0  17  30    1  2    7    6  .143  .197
Scott, Adrian            MON  67  .143  182  26  7  0  1  11  37    1  0  14    6  .198  .202
McConnell, Josh          MON  47  .151  146  22  3  1  2  12  27    1  2    6  20  .226  .226
Brett, George            MON  33  .279  136  38  9  1  3  17    8    2  0  23  17  .426  .353
McGregor, Scott          MON  40  .125  104  13  3  0  0    3  37    0  0    5    6  .154  .148
Strait, Josh              MON  46  .143    91  13  1  3  1    6  10    0  1    5    5  .253  .210
Forsch, Ken              MON  37  .105    76    8  1  0  0    2  37    0  0    2    3  .118  .128
Nyman, Chris              MON  75  .159    69  11  3  1  0    6  11    0  0    2    3  .232  .227
Rhoden, Rick              MON  30  .118    68    8  1  0  0    2  18    0  0    2    4  .132  .141
Gessler, Darryl          MON  25  .169    65  11  1  0  0    3  15    0  0    3    3  .185  .206
Abbott, Glenn            MON  28  .172    64  11  2  0  0    6  23    0  0    1    2  .203  .243
Chappas, Harry            MON  19  .146    48    7  1  0  1    2  16    1  1    4    2  .229  .180
Sanderson, Scott          MON  16  .094    32    3  0  0  0    2  13    0  0    1    3  .094  .147
Schatzeder, Dan          MON    5  .211    19    4  0  0  0    1    7    0  0    0    2  .211  .227
Warldron, Maurice        MON    4  .000    11    0  0  0  0    1    3    0  0    0    1  .000  .083
Smith, Chris              MON    5  .200    5    1  0  0  0    0    0    0  0    0    1  .200  .200
Camper, Cardell          MON    2  .200    5    1  0  0  0    0    2    0  0    0    0  .200  .200
Ross, Tony                MON    5  .250    4    1  0  0  0    0    0    0  0    0    0  .250  .250
Easterly, Jamie          MON    0  .000    4    0  0  0  0    2    2    0  0    1    0  .000  .333
Sutton, John              MON    0  .000    4    0  0  0  0    1    1    0  0    0    0  .000  .200
Johnson, Tom              MON    0  .500    2    1  0  0  0    0    0    0  0    0    0  .500  .500

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1978 Pitching            Team    IP  ERA    G  GS  W  L  SV    K  BB  R/9
McGregor, Scott          MON  304.0  2.87  40  40  17  15  0  156  78  9.83
Forsch, Ken              MON  241.1  4.66  37  37  11  19  0  140  82 13.50
Abbott, Glenn            MON  212.1  2.54  28  28  12  9  0  95  46  9.75
Rhoden, Rick              MON  190.1  7.80  30  30  5  20  0  116  124 18.96
Sanderson, Scott          MON  101.1  5.77  17  16  4  7  0  59  34 13.94
Sutton, John              MON  80.2  3.79  63  0  4  4  4  42  35 12.50
Easterly, Jamie          MON  77.1  2.79  44  0  5  4  1  56  28 10.13
Warldron, Maurice        MON  71.1  6.18  28  4  1  3  0  56  63 17.92
Schatzeder, Dan          MON  57.0  5.05  16  5  1  4  1  32  39 15.32
Johnson, Tom              MON  53.2  3.02  39  0  3  2  1  40  17 10.23
Wiley, Mark              MON  40.0  4.73  38  0  3  6  24  23  16 13.05
Camper, Cardell          MON  23.0  1.57    8  2  2  0  0  14    6 10.17
Anderson, Larry          MON    0.2 13.50    1  0  0  1  0    0    1 13.50

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Off Season News

Golden Gloves went out to Scott Anderson (pitcher), Dave Cash (second base), Jim Mason (shortstop) and Dwight Evans (right field)

- Catcher Milt May was resigned through Arbitration for a slight increase.
- SS Jim Mason (85/91) was kept for another season for $400,000
- Outfielder Fred Lynn (87/94) was kept for one more season. He needs a breakout season to justify his $450,000 pricetag.
- Wholehearted 1B Chris Nyman won arbitration and will stay for $90,000
- We took a chance on Rob Teal, who was still recovering from his severed knee ligament injury. He stays for a bare $150,000, and it will be interesting to see if he can return to his best.
- Cy Young Award winner Scott McGregor won his Arbitration case and was awarded $885,000.
- New closer Mark Wiley also stayed through Arbitration
- Fan favourite Jamie Easterly halved his ERA and won arbitration for $340,000
- Other players to stay included pitchers John Sutton and Gil Patterson
- Craig Chamberlain was the only player released

Former Met Cleon Jones - a two-time World Series winner - was signed to give a bit of depth to our bench. At 36 years old, he signs a one-year contract. Another Met joined the pitching staff in the form of Rick Camp, who was a free agent.

John Sutton was packed off along with a large amount of cash to the Dodgers. In return, we get starter Doyle Alexander, who is 102-67 and 3.49 ERA over his nine seasons with Los Angeles.

The general consensus is that only injuries stopped Montreal from breaking even in 1978. A big boost to the medical department should go some way towards rectifying that, although you can never prevent bad luck.

Just before spring training, Scott McGregor signed a new three-year contract, with a slight decrease in his yearly salary. It does include a no-trade clause, however, thereby giving McGregor some stability.

http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/medi...tures_6109.jpg
1979 Montreal Expos

Line-up
2B - Dave Cash
SS - Jim Mason
RF - Andre Dawson
CF - Dwight Evans
1B - Rusty Staub
LF - Fred Lynn
3B - George Brett
C - Milt May

Bench
C - Josh Strait
SS - Lee Culligan
OF - Cleon Jones
3B - Rob Teal
2B - Adrian Scott
IF - Darryl Gessler

Rotation
1. Scott McGregor
2. Glenn Abbott
3. Ken Forsch
4. Doyle Alexander

Bullpen
Mopup - Maurice Warldron
Closer - Mark Wiley
Setup - Jamie Easterly
Short - Rick Camp
Short - Scott Sanderson
Middle - Shane Rawley
Long - Dan Schatzeder

Pre Season Predicitions
1. New York (99-63)
2. Chicago (90-72)
3. St Louis (87-75)
4. Philadelphia (86-76)
5. Pittsburgh (79-83)
6. Montreal (70-92)
All topsy-turvy and over the shop again!

AMERICAN - Baltimore to beat California in 4 games
NATIONAL - New York to beat Atlanta in 4 games
WORLD SERIES - Baltimore to beat New York in 5 games

April 1979

The year started with a tough double-road trip to Atlanta, where the Braves won four of five games. The Expos opened their home record with series wins against Houston and Cincinnati (a sweep) while taking a game off the Giants on the road. At the end of the second fortnight, the team was 7-7 and injury free, with Dwight Evans already knocking in five home runs.

A series at Jack Murphy Stadium used to be pencilled in for at least two, if not three, wins - but the Padres were no longer the easy beats of the National League. Montreal had to work hard for their two victories after getting a lesson in baseball in the series opener. After a day's break, the two teams went at it again, and the Padres outscored the Expos in each of the three games.

A sweep at Riverfront Stadium accelerated Montreal up the standings, and despite dropping a game to the Padres back home, they would feel quite satisfied with their first month of competition.

NL East
1. Philadelphia (16-8)
2. Chicago (17-9)
3. New York (17-11)
4. Montreal (13-12)
5. St Louis (12-15)
6. Pittsburgh (8-18)

NL West - Atlanta lead the Astros by 4 games.
AL East - Cleveland and Detroit are tied at the top, while Milwaukee - Milwaukee???!!! lie in third
AL West - The World Series Champion Angels lead Oakland by 4.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Doyle Alexander (3.27)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (3)
Saves - Mark Wiley (2)
Average - Dwight Evans (.347)
Home Runs - Rusty 'Le Grande Orange' Staub (6)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (3)

May 1979

May would be a month of dodgy beds, early flights and bad room service, with just five games played at home. The trip got off to a decent start with the Expos splitting two series with the Cubs. A date with the mighty Mets followed, where New York put those pesky Canadians back in their place with a sweep.

Series victories against Pittsburgh and Atlanta (at home) followed to restore the Expos standing, just four games behind the Mets, who they would next play down at Shea Stadium.

The first game was a thriller, with the Expos holding a 9-6 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Mets scored two doubles to drive in two runs, and tied the game when Ron Swoboda tagged up off a Tim Foli fly-ball. Montreal went ahead in the tenth inning when George Brett singled and allowed Jim Mason to cross home plate. Brett would score himself when Dwight Evans singled.

The Mets would come back and levelled the game when Ken Boswell drove in two runs down the right field line. Relief pitcher Tom Johnson then walked two batsmen in the eleventh inning and eventually gave up the winning run with a single over Jim Mason's outstretched glove.

Over the next two days, the Mets would outscore the Expos 12-0 to extend their lead at the top. Philadelphia would show no mercy against the Expos pitchers, although Montreal did steal the third game of the series.

The month ended on a happy note for Montreal with a sweep of the Astros on their home Astroturf. Still within striking distance of the leaders, the Expos sat just four games behind. The season could go anywhere from here.

NL East
1. Chicago (32-22)
2. New York (31-22)
3. Philadelphia (28-25)
4. Montreal (26-25)
5. St Louis (26-30)
6. Pittsburgh (23-32)

NL West - Atlanta lead San Francisco by 7
AL East - Cleveland are the top in a crowded division
AL West - California lead Oakland and Seattle by 4.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (3.75)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (7)
Saves - Mark Wiley (7)
Average - Dwight Evans (.319)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (10)
Stolen Bases - Andre Dawson (6)

Draft Choices
1B Andres Galarraga (63/90) - Caracas, Venezuela
RP Chuck Crim (49/89) - Van Nuys CA
SP Ray Hayward (49/87) - Enid OK
RP Mike Capel (48/84) - Marshall TX
SP Joseph Wynne (51/78) - Cincinnati OH
RP Tim Barrett (48/76) - Huntingburg IN

June 1979

June began - as it often does - with a series sweep lost to Philadelphia. It's almost a tradition. That was followed by a six-game series with the same side at Stade Olympique, where the series was evenly split down the middle.

On the road we went, and it wasn't a happy trip with just three wins from nine games in Pittsburgh, Chicago and St Louis.

The month eneded with a series of home games against three of our division rivals, but only the Phillies would leave with their tails between their legs. Even Pittsburgh managed to win a series.

NL East
1. New York (51-32)
2. Chicago (47-37)
3. Philadelphia (42-39)
4. St Louis (42-41)
5. Montreal (35-44)
6. Pittsburgh (32-50)

NL West - Atlanta still hold a strong lead at the top, by 6 over LA
AL East - Baltimore creep out to a slight lead over Detroit
AL West - Seattle are the surprise leaders, by one over California

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.85)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (11)
Saves - Mark Wiley (9)
Average - Dwight Evans (.323)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (14)
Stolen Bases - Andre Dawson (10)

July 1979

A good month to be playing at home, with the All-Star Game breaking up the middle of the month. Dwight Evans was chosen yet again to represent the Expos, and didn't let anybody down in the National League's victory.

A healthy squad this far into the season was a rarity. It also meant that there could be no excuses for whatever happened. Therefore it was extremely pleasing to sweep the Pirates and Cardinals at home. Three losses to the Giants notwithstanding, the team was in good form.

With the trade deadline approaching, and management expressing the desire to make a bold move and aim for the division title, rather than merely shooting for .500, a deal was worked out with the Red Sox. Fred Lynn would move south where he would get to work in a different environment and try to produce the offense some believe he is capable of. In the other direction comes respected outfielder Ben Oglivie, a three-time All-Star representative and owner of two World Series rings. A handful of minor league players are also moving to Boston, along with $1.6 million. We believe it's a good deal and will set Montreal up in the short-term to contend.

Oglivie's debut couldn't lift the Expos past the Mets however, with the New York team winning all three games of their series. The month ended on a successful note with two wins against the Pirates. If only we could be in a division full of Pittsburgh and St Louis teams.

NL East
1. New York (66-38)
2. Chicago (58-48)
3. Philadelphia (55-50)
4. Montreal (49-53)
5. St Louis (49-56)
6. Pittsburgh (34-70)

NL West - Atlanta lead the Giants by 5.5 games
AL East - Baltimore lead Detroit by 3 games
AL West - California lead the Mariners and A's by 2 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.67)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (15)
Saves - Mark Wiley (12)
Average - Ben Oglivie (.323)
Home Runs - Ben Oglivie (27)
Stolen Bases - Dave Cash (10)

August 1979

The Cardinals came to town and practically stuck a stake through our hearts with a series win. The next fortnight was spent playing the Giants and Dodgers both home and away, and we had some pretty mixed results - splitting a four-game series with LA before being swept in San Francisco, and the reverse happening back in Montreal.

The month finished at 13-14, and it certainly could have been a lot worse. Incredibly, we still have a healthy squad. We're simply just not in the same league as the Mets, it has to be said.

NL East
1. New York (83-47)
2. Philadelphia (73-62)
3. Chicago (67-66)
4. Montreal (62-67)
5. St Louis (63-72)
6. Pittsburgh (47-82)

NL West - Atlanta lead by 15 games. The title is practically theirs.
AL East - Baltimore have been brought back to earth and only lead the Tigers by 2
AL West - California lead Seattle and Oakland by 9.5

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.51)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (17)
Saves - Mark Wiley (16)
Average - Dwight Evans (.312)
Home Runs - Ben Oglivie (34)
Stolen Bases - Andre Dawson (14)