The Expos

[Shortstop]

September-October 1979

Fourteen straight home games at the start of the month didn't seem to give us any kind of advantage, with seven wins and seven losses to show for their efforts.

The Expos then went on the road to Philadelphia and St Louis, and beat the odds to record five wins from ten games. There was still a shot at a winning season.

If what happened before was merely beating the odds, then sweeping the Mets at Stade Olympique would have to rank right up there with the miracles. In one of the games, Scott McGregor allowed just one hit all night.

The Expos then won two of three games at Riverfront Stadium. However, proving that fairytales don't always go to script, Rusty Staub would suffer a sore rotator cuff and be ruled out for the rest of the season, thereby denying Montreal fans the opportunity to see their favourite player in action one last time before he retired.

However, there would be one final twist to the plot. At the press conference the next day, where it was expected Staub would announce that after seventeen seasons he was hanging up the cleats, he instead announced that he had signed a new three-year contract and would stay - injuries and bad luck notwithstanding - until the end of 1982!

The news had a tremendous effect on the Expos, who used the positive vibes eminating through the camp to again sweep the Mets - therefore winning their last seven games played against the NL East Champions.

The 82-80 record was Montreal's second winning record, and equalled their best result in franchise history.

NL East
1. New York (100-62)
2. Philadelphia (88-74)
3. Chicago (83-79)
4. Montreal (82-80)
5. St Louis (76-86)
6. Pittsburgh (57-105)

NL West
1. Atlanta (109-53)
2. San Francisco (89-73)
3. Los Angeles (82-80)
4. Houston (80-82)
5. Cincinnati (65-97)
6. San Diego (61-101)

AL East
1. Detroit (99-63)
2. Baltimore (97-65)
3. Toronto (87-75)
4. New York (80-82)
5. Boston (77-85)
6. Cleveland (76-86)
7. Milwaukee (47-115)

AL West
1. California (107-55)
2. Oakland (100-62)
3. Seattle (98-64)
4. Chicago (77-85)
5. Texas (73-89)
6. Minnesota (67-95)
7. Kansas City (49-113)

The Braves speared the Mets in four games to go to their first World Series since they moved to Atlanta. In the American League, the Angels won their way through to the World Series again.

Atlanta would go on to shock the Angels in four straight games. Despite winning the most games of any side in 1979, nobody could really say they expected them to go all the way and win it all.

[Shortstop]

Recap of the 1970s
With 1969 thrown in for good measure

National League East
1969 - Chicago
1970 - Chicago
1971 - New York
1972 - Chicago
1973 - New York
1974 - Philadelphia
1975 - New York
1976 - New York
1977 - New York
1978 - New York
1979 - New York

National League West
1969 - San Francisco
1970 - San Francisco
1971 - San Francisco
1972 - San Francisco
1973 - San Francisco
1974 - San Francisco
1975 - Los Angeles
1976 - San Francisco
1977 - San Francisco
1978 - Atlanta
1979 - Atlanta

American League East
1969 - Baltimore
1970 - Boston
1971 - Baltimore
1972 - Boston
1973 - Boston
1974 - Boston
1975 - Boston
1976 - Baltimore
1977 - Baltimore
1978 - Baltimore
1979 - Detroit

American League West
1969 - Minnesota
1970 - Oakland
1971 - Oakland
1972 - Oakland
1973 - Oakland
1974 - Oakland
1975 - Oakland
1976 - Oakland
1977 - California
1978 - California
1979 - California

NLCS
1969 - San Francisco d. Chicago
1970 - San Francisco d. Chicago
1971 - San Francisco d. New York
1972 - San Francisco d. Chicago
1973 - New York d. San Francisco
1974 - Philadelphia d. San Francisco
1975 - New York d. Los Angeles
1976 - New York d. San Francisco
1977 - New York d. San Francisco
1978 - New York d. Atlanta
1979 - Atlanta d. New York

ALCS
1969 - Baltimore d. Minnesota
1970 - Oakland d. Boston
1971 - Oakland d. Baltimore
1972 - Boston d. Oakland
1973 - Boston d. Oakland
1974 - Oakland d. Boston
1975 - Boston d. Oakland
1976 - Oakland d. Baltimore
1977 - Baltimore d. California
1978 - California d. Baltimore
1979 - California d. Detroit

World Series
1969 - San Francisco d. Baltimore
1970 - Oakland d. San Francisco
1971 - Oakland d. San Francisco
1972 - Boston d. San Francisco
1973 - Boston d. New York
1974 - Oakland d. Philadelphia
1975 - New York d. Boston
1976 - Oakland d. New York
1977 - New York d. Baltimore
1978 - California d. New York
1979 - Atlanta d. California

[Shortstop]

Off-Season News

Milt May signed a five year contract which should just about see him finish his playing days as an Expo. Although he's not spectacular in the batting line-up, he has been a solid contributor and reliable fielder. He gets $430,000 per season.

Dave Cash wanted a four-year contract. We compromised with a three-year deal and a player option. However, at 31 years of age he doesn't really represent value for money at $495,000 per season. He will probably go on the trading block at some stage of the season.

George Brett gets an extra season to prove that he can be the offensive weapon that the team needs.

Jim Mason had an excellent season, batting a career high .284. He gets another season in Montreal.

Ben Oglivie joined the Expos late in 1979 and only batted .251 during his time. However, Montreal had one of the best records in the NL East during his time with the team, and he did lead the NL with 44 home runs (even if 17 were only scored in the NL per se). The major issue here is his asking price of $1,250,000 for six seasons. We eventually got him down to $1,025,000 over five seasons, with a player option lasting until the end of 1987. Both parties are over the moon with the deal.

Cleon Jones had an excellent season off the bench, batting .326 in 239 at-bats. He has signed for another season, with a player option.

Rob Teal gets another season to ride the bench. Chris Nyman, Duane Walker and Tucker Ashford are also kept around for slightly increased salaries.

Now for the pitching. Doyle Alexander gets another four seasons at $625,000 with a player option for 1984. Ken Forsch gets a slightly reduced contract, as does closer Mark Wiley (through arbitration). Jamie Easterly gets $600,000 through arbitration, as well as the opportunity to compete for the closer's job with Mark Wiley.

Tom Johnson, Scott Sanderson and Rick Camp all get their desired contracts through Arbitration.

Lee Culligan was released without a contract offered, as were pitchers Joe Cowley and Alan Macquarrie.

Free Agent Signings
Journeyman Donnie Moore joins the Expos bullpen for $80,000 over two seasons. He has previously spent time in the farm systems of Philadelphia, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore, the Mets and the Yankees.

Trades
Dave Cash was shopped around to other clubs and eventually parachuted into the Yankees line-up. In return, we get promising second baseman Tony Bernazard (82/90) and $100,000.

Relief pitcher Tom Johnson was sent off to the Pirates. In return we get starter Mike Krukow (86) and $100,000.

[Shortstop]

Pre-Season Predicitions
1. New York (92-70)
2. Montreal (89-73)
3. Philadelphia (85-77)
4. St Louis (84-78)
5. Chicago (83-79)
6. Pittsburgh (78-84)

AMERICAN LEAGUE - Detroit to beat California in 4 games
NATIONAL LEAGUE - New York to beat Atlanta in 5 games
WORLD SERIES - Detroit to beat New York in 6 games

[Shortstop]

1980 Montreal Expos

Line-up
2B Tony Bernazard
SS Jim Mason
LF Ben Oglivie
CF Dwight Evans
RF Andre Dawson
1B Rusty Staub
3B George Brett
C Milt May

Bench
C Josh Strait
3B Rob Teal
OF Cleon Jones
1B Chris Nyman
SS Harry Chappas
CF Dave Henderson

Rotation
1. Scott McGregor
2. Glenn Abbott
3. Mike Krukow
4. Doyle Alexander
5. Ken Frosch

Bullpen
Closer - Jamie Easterly
Setup - Mark Wiley
Short - Donnie Moore
Short - Shane Rawley
Middle - Dan Schatzeder
Long - Rick Camp

[Shortstop]

April 1980

The season began with a trip to the home of the new World Series champions. Atlanta would win the deciding game of the series with a walkoff home run double in the bottom of the ninth.

A tough series against Cincinnati followed, with the Reds winning all three games.

Next it was off to San Francisco, where the Expos would win the series. A highlight was Andre Dawson hitting three home runs right out of Candlestick Park on April 7.

Two short series followed, with Atlanta being swept on their home turf, while back at San Francisco the Giants would win both games. The opening roadtrip of the season ended with the Expos going 5-8 and sitting two games back.

Cincinnati were the first visitors to Stade Olympique in 1980, still missing its roof - apparently its still in a warehouse in France, of all places! Montreal got things off to a great start by sweeping Pete Rose's Reds.

San Francisco would also suffer the fate of being swept in Montreal, in front of a very loud and vocal crowd of passionate supporters.

Proving that good things happen in threes, Atlanta would be the third team to be swept in three games. Montreal were on a franchise-best winning streak of nine games. This form extended back on the road and was only ended when Cincinnati won their series at Riverfront Stadium.

Philadelphia became the first team to win at Stade Olympique in 1980, and backed up their form to become the first team to win a series at the same venue.

NL East
1. Philadelphia (18-9)
2. St Louis (15-8)
3. Montreal (16-13)
4. Chicago (13-13)
5. New York (14-14)
6. Pittsburgh (9-17)

NL West - San Diego lead the Dodgers by 1.5 games
AL East - Boston lead the Orioles by 1 game
AL West - Seattle and Chicago are tied at the top

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbot (2.55)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (4)
Saves - Jamie Easterly (7)
Average - Andre Dawson (.315)
Home Runs - Andre Dawson (11)
Stolen Bases - Tony Bernazard (2)

[Shortstop]

May 1980

The month would provide the Expos with an excellent opportunity to stamp their mark as contenders in the NL East (as opposed to pretenders), with the team not going on the road until May 21.

San Francisco were swept in a short series, while Philadelphia played hardball and eventually stole their series with a close 6-5 win in the third game - but not before going down 12-1 to the Expos, with Doyle Alexander allowing just four hits. The Mets came to town in the unfamilair position of actually not being in first place, and were beaten in a close series.

Houston were then easily swept, with the Astros starting at a dismal 11-31 for 1980.

A capacity crowd then saw the Mets come to town and be beaten in another excellent series between the two clubs, with 39 runs scored in three nights. The Expos would score most of these and win the series.

Houston then welcomed the Expos to the Astrodome and proceeded to win their first series of the year, resulting in casualties in the form of Milt May, Doyle Alexander and Mike Krukow, all of whom would miss around a week.

Montreal would rebound by winning all but one game of a long series at Three Rivers Stadium, and moving into a share of first place.

New York would visit Stade Olympique for the third time this month, this time for a short series. The result was evenly split down the middle.

The Expos had proven, so far at least, that they were going to be very hard to beat in 1980.

NL East
1. Philadelphia (35-19)
2. Montreal (34-21)
3. St Louis (30-19)
4. Chicago (31-22)
5. New York (29-27)
6. Pittsburgh (19-36)

NL West - San Francisco lead Atlanta by 2.5 games
AL East - Baltimore lead Toronto by 5.5 games
AL West - California lead Chicago by 4.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (2.74)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (7)
Saves - Jamie Easterly (15)
Average - Andre Dawson (.338)
Home Runs - Andre Dawson (18)
Stolen Bases - Tony Bernazard (6)

[Shortstop]

Draft Picks

Before we made our first draft pick, we made a bold move to acquire the rookie pitcher Roger Clemens, newly drafted by Kansas City. Tucker Ashford and catchers Ed Hearn and Josh Strait will become Royals in exchange for the highly touted prospect. We also agreed to send our first three draft choices - whoever they were - to Kansas City in return for minimal compensation.

Therefore pitchers Lee Harper, Mark Gardner and second baseman Robby Thompson were packed off to the Royals for $200,000.

For ourselves, we drafted pitcher Dan Plesac (48/82), outfielder Dion James (49/75) and pitcher Scott Anderson (48/78)

June 1980

Jamie Easterly signed a new contract which will keep him in Expos colours until the end of 1982. The month began with a sweep of the Pirates and a series win against the Astros, both on the road. The Astros were then swept inside the Stade Olympique, but despite the 7-1 start to the month, we were still half a game behind the Phillies.

Therefore success in our series at Veteran Stadium would be imperative to keep the momentum going. Mike Schmidt helped the Phils to a big win in Game 1 by hitting his sixth home run in his last ten games.

Montreal would strike back in Game 2, winning 7-2. George Brett scored two runs and went 2/4, including a double.

Ownership of the NL East (for now) would rest upon the deciding third game. There were plenty of hits but not many runs. Philadelphia scored two to one to lead the East by a game and a half.

Montreal would return to home base and give Atlanta a baseball lesson, scoring 20 runs to 2 in a series drubbing. St Louis would not fare any better, going down in three games.

With a 33-8 record at Stade Olympique this season, the Expos were on fire, and lead the division by a full game. A long series against the Dodgers resulted in disaster, with Los Angeles winning three of four games and recording wins of 23-1 and 12-2 in the process.

St Louis would win their first ever series at Stade Olympique, including a shock 11-0 win in the deciding game of the series. San Diego would go down in their series, but not before following the Cardinals' lead and scoring a 10-0 result.

The end of the month saw the Expos still trail, this time to the Cubs.

NL East
1. Chicago (52-28)
2. Montreal (52-31)
3. Philadelphia (49-32)
4. New York (45-39)
5. St Louis (37-40)
6. Pittsburgh (26-53)

NL West - San Francisco lead Atlanta by 5.5 games
AL East - Baltimore lead Toronto by 6.5 games
AL West - California lead the A's by 4.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (3.41)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (11)
Saves - Jamie Easterly (26)
Average - Andre Dawson (.316)
Home Runs - Ben Oglivie (23)
Stolen Bases - Tony Bernazard (8)

[Shortstop]

July 1980

The Expos would lose two of four games to eventually slip four games behind the Cubs with the All-Star Break looming. Dwight Evans was invited back to the Home Run Derby but again failed to get out of the first round, with Steve Garvey of the Dodgers eventually taking home the prize. For the first time, more than one Expo would represent the NL, with Glenn Abbott pitching three innings in a losing effort, the American League winning 1-0.

After the break, the Expos won four of five games against the Phillies, three played at Stade Olympique, to remain four games behind the Cubs. The Pirates then surprisingly won two of three games to knock the Expos six games behind.

A three game series at Stade Olympique against the Cubs followed, and the Chicago side showed their quality by winning the series, only losing a dead third game. Their lead in the NL East was now at seven games. Montreal could then only win two of four games against the Padres.

New York then proceeded to sweep the Expos at the Shea, including a 17-1 trouncing. Despite the setbacks, the difference was now only five games, since the Cubs had a sweep loss of their own to the Padres.

NL East
1. Chicago (68-38)
2. Montreal (62-43)
3. New York (62-48)
4. Philadelphia (59-47)
5. St Louis (49-51)
6. Pittsburgh (38-67)

NL West - San Francisco lead Atlanta by 6.5
AL East - Baltimore lead Toronto by 8 games
AL West - California lead Seattle and Oakland by 6.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (3.45)
Wins - Glenn Abbott (13)
Saves - Jamie Easterly (34)
Average - Andre Dawson (.314)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (26)
Stolen Bases - Tony Bernazard (11)

Easterly's save total is worth mentioning, since he leads the Major Leagues by far in this tally - the next best is 20 by the Cubs' Ray Newman. It's no surprise that Easterly's ERA is also miserly, with just 0.43 runs given up - in fact, a total of just 2 in 41.2 innings pitched. That's quality!

The record number of saves is 37 set by Oakland's Rollie Fingers in 1972.

[Shortstop]

August 1980

The trade deadline came and went with no activity in Montreal. The Expos would live or die depending on the efforts of players currently there.

San Diego started the month in Montreal and would be swept by a confident Expos team boisteriously supported by their adoring local fans.

Another long roadtrip awaited the Expos, and it started with a split four-game series against the Cardinals, with all games decided by one run. The Mets then beat the Expos to keep Montreal four games behind Chicago. Another short series at Shea Stadium resulted in Montreal winning both by two runs to move just two behind the Cubs.

In the second win, on August 13, Jamie Easterly broke the record for most saves in a season, with still nearly two months to go.

Over to Los Angeles, where the Expos won in a sweep, by the scored of 5-1, 7-1 and 9-6.

Chicago came to Stade Olympique in a blue-ribbons series. It went nearly as well as it possibly could for the locals, with Montreal moving ahead on the NL East table by one game thanks for their 2-1 series win.

Los Angeles also came to town for a long series, but would be swept in a four-game series. The Expos' lead was now 4 games.

Chicago came along for two more games, desperate to close the gap. However, they would be blown off the diamond in a 18-8 loss, with Andre Dawson and Rusty Staub collecting two home runs each. Montreal would win the next game 6-1, where the focus now shifted to Wrigley Park for a three-game series to close the month.

Montreal's winning streak hit 7 games with a 3-0 shutout of the Cubs on their home turf. Chicago were knocked from second in the NL East, replaced by the Phillies, and responded by winning the next two games to win the series.

However, Montreal would keep their spot at the top at the National League East. Was history going to happen?

NL East
1. Montreal (82-50)
2. Philadelphia (77-54)
3. New York (79-56)
4. Chicago (76-65)
5. St Louis (66-65)
6. Pittsburgh (46-89)

NL West - Atlanta have roared back into contention, and lead the Giants by 3.5 games
AL East - Baltimore lead Toronto by 11 games
AL West - California lead Oakland by 10.5 games

Expos Leaders
ERA - Glenn Abbott (3.26)
Wins - Scott McGregor (18)
Saves - Jamie Easterly (44 - new record)
Average - Andre Dawson (.325)
Home Runs - Dwight Evans (33)
Stolen Bases - Tony Bernazard (13)

[Shortstop]

September 1-September 26 1980

The key word for this month was 'Opportunity'. And Montreal would not have a better opportunity than now to seal a first-ever spot in the NLCS, with no games at all against the Phillies or Mets, and just two series against the Cubs.

A majority of the games would also be played at Stade Olympique, where Montreal were enjoying a 51-15 record.

After a rest day to start the month, Montreal beat St Louis 2-1 to preserve their four game lead. A sweep of the Cubs - once primed to make the playoffs - saw Montreal keep their lead at the top, with the Mets (4) and Phillies (4.5) not far behind.

St Louis came to Stade Olympique with almost everybody writing off their chances. That suited them down to a tee as they swept the Expos on their home patch! Montreal would not be impressed with that result, and took out their frustrations on Pittsburgh. However, their lead was cut to just two games.

Los Angeles - long eliminated from playoff contention - played like a team unburdended, and beat the Expos in a 2-1 series. The lead for the Expos was now just one game. A series victory against the Cubs on the road would be appreciated, however a rest day saw the Expos lead now just to just a half game.

With the Pirates just 2-18 in their last 20 games, the series for Montreal represented alarm bells. The Pirates wouldn't - and never did - swoon to their better opponents and always gave their all in whatever game they played. Therefore, with Montreal treating each game as a matter of life or death, the Expos were able to sweep the Pirates, with Jim Mason getting five hits in the third game.

A trip to Busch Stadium with a three game series against the fifth-placed Cardinals saw the Expos drop all three games and give up the lead in the NL East with just six games left in their schedule.

NL East
1. New York (95-59)
2. Montreal (96-60)
3. Philadelphia (89-67)
4. Chicago (86-68)
5. St Louis (81-76)
6. Pittsburgh (49-108)

To finish the season
Expos - Pittsburgh (H), San Diego (A)
Phillies - Los Angeles (A), St Louis (A)
Mets - Chicago (A), Pirates (A - 2 game series), Chicago (H)

[Shortstop]

September 27

Bert Blyleven was the starting pitcher for the Pirates, who would be looking forward to the end of yet another long season. He was yanked after two innings and seven earned runs, helping the Expos to a 10-2 win.

Expos 10 Pirates 2 - Evans 2/3, Oglivie 3/5, home run to Milt May

The Mets slipped up against the Cubs 5-1, while Philadelphia were removed from contention with Montreal's win. The Expos led by a game.

September 28

The Expos got off to a fast start and didn't ever look like losing, giving Scott McGregor his 21st win of the season with a 12-4 decision.

Expos 12 Pirates 4 - McGregor 8.0ip, 6 hits, 69 pitches; Oglivie 3/4 (3 doubles), Brett 4/4 (4 doubles), Evans 3/5

September 29
The Expos took a massive step towards a first NCLS apperance with a 8-5 win over the Pirates in front of a sold-out Stade Olympique. At the same time, the Mets fell 4-10 to the Cubs, extending the Expos' lead to two games.

Expos 8 Pirates 5 - Mason 2/4 + double, Dawson 3/4 + home run

September 30
A rest day for Montreal, as they flew to San Diego. The Mets beat the Pirates 6-2 in the first game of a short series before playing the Cubs in three more games. Montreal's lead is cut to one.

October 1
The Padres stole a game from the Expos with a 4-3 win which makes the NL East race very interesting. Mark Wiley gave up two runs in the eighth inning in relief which eventually gave the home side the win. The Padres deserved the win, however, with just four hits allowed all night.

Padres 4 Expos 3
The Mets beat the Pirates 4-2 to close the gap to just a half game.

October 2
The Padres again beat the Expos, knocking Montreal from the top position in the NL East. The 5-3 loss means that the division title will go right down to the final day of the Expos season. Rusty Staub tried hard for the Expos all night, going 2/4 including a double.

Padres 5 Expos 3
The Mets beat the Cubs 5-3 to take the lead in the East.

October 3 - Final Game of the Season
Twelve years of endeavour went on the line at Jack Murphy Stadium in the final game of the Expos season, with the eyes of a nation upon the Expos.

The game got off to a perfect start when Dwight Evans drove in two runs at the top of the first. The lead would be extended with Jim Mason scoring a home run.

San Diego would peg one back at the bottom of the fourth when Nate Colbert tagged up and reach home, just beating the throw of Andre Dawson. Jim Mason scored another run, this time courtesy of a Ben Oglivie double.

The two teams traded a run each in the next inning to maintain the status quo. However, the game would exploded in the top of the seventh.

Three straight singles off the pitching of Larry McCall saw the bases loaded. Dwight Evans then walked up and as calm as you like, dispatched the ball over the fence.

Grand Slam.

Montreal added another run late in the game for good measure, but the game was already over. The Expos would have at least a share of the NL East Division Title!!!

Expos 11 Padres 2
Over at Shea Stadium, the Cubs won 8-2 against the Mets.

October 4
The Expos needed a Cubs win to give them the title. Otherwise, New York and Montreal would meet at an undisclosed location and time to decide in a single game the title.

Montreal would be in transit during the game, and would listen to the game in progress. At the top of the second, the news was all good, with the Cubs up by 3-0. That's how it stayed until the bottom of the sixth, where the Mets scored two runs but left three runners on base.

At the top of the eighth, the Cubs scored a run off a walk with the bases loaded. Despite the 4-2 scoreline, the Expos players just waited, since they knew from experience that the Mets were capable of almost anything. Their worst fears would be realised with a John Milner home run at the bottom of the eighth. With the game heading into the bottom of the ninth, the result (and division title) was still very much undecided.

Biff Pocroba was walked, while Jim York laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. Wayne Garrett ground to first, although advancing Pocroba to third base. Up stepped Dave Schneck to bat with two out. He connected with the short but only succeeded in finding the shortstop, who calmly made the throw and wrote Montreal into the record books.

MONTREAL EXPOS - 1980 NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST CHAMPIONS

NL East
1. Montreal (100-62)
2. New York (99-63)
3. Philadelphia (93-69)
4. Chicago (91-71)
5. St Louis (83-79)
6. Pittsburgh (49-113)

NL West
1. Atlanta (96-64)
2. San Francisco (93-67)
3. Los Angeles (76-84)
4. Cincinnati (67-95)
5. San Diego (67-95)
6. Houston (54-106)

AL East
1. Baltimore (112-50)
2. Toronto (94-68)
3. Detroit (90-72)
4. Cleveland (85-77)
5. New York (85-77)
6. Boston (84-78)
7. Milwaukee (48-114)

AL West
1. California (101-61)
2. Oakland (90-72)
3. Seattle (84-78)
4. Texas (80-82)
5. Chicago (73-89)
6. Kansas City (55-107)
7. Minnesota (53-109)

[Shortstop]

1980 NLCS SERIES
GAME 1 - Fulton County Stadium


The game started with the Expos getting on the board early, Ben Oglivie reaching home on the back of a throwing error. The Braves squared up the score with a Darrell Evans home run right over Dwight Evans' head.

George Brett scored the next run for Montreal, reaching home in the second inning after three straight singles opened up the inning.

Atlanta hit the front in the fourth inning with four hits giving up two runs. After four innings the home side was in front and the locals were content.

The game continued with an economic minimum of fuss until the top of the eighth. Jim Mason singled through the right and then didn't stop running, catching out the outfielders and reaching second base. With two out in the inning, Dwight Evans stood up and dispactched Frank LaCorte over the left field fence for two RBIs. Montreal back in front!

Montreal would extend the lead at the top of the ninth when George Brett tagged up and scored his second run of the game courtesy of an error by the right fielder.

Atlanta knew they had some work to do, and advanced Jim Breazeale to second base on defensive indifference. The game was soon over however, with Felix Millan grounding to Jim Mason, who threw the ball back to Rusty Staub to complete the out. Scott McGregor received the win while Jamie Easterly - who else? - got the save.

[Shortstop]

1980 NLCS SERIES
Game 2 - Fulton County Stadium

Montreal would lead the game 2-0 after two innings with George Brett hitting a two-run home run. Darrell Evans would return the favour with a two-run home run of his own, levelling the game at the bottom of the fourth.

Atlanta would squander a golden chance to go ahead when they gave up a double play at the bottom of the seventh, keeping the score at the status quo.

The game swung again at the top of the ninth. Dwight Evans was walked, advancing Ben Oglivie to second. Frank LaCorte then threw a wild pitch, advancing both runners a base. The Braves brought the infield in, but to no avail - despite Andre Dawson flying out to right field, Ben Oglivie tagged up and reach home base to put the Expos a run ahead.

Dave Winfield flied out to right field to start the bottom of the ninth. Dusty Baker was then walked by Mark Wiley. Earl Williams walked up to home plate with the chance to put the Braves back in the game, but to no avail. A 6-4-3 double play putting the World Series champions out of business and the Expos up 2-0 in the NLCS.


Andre Dawson

[Shortstop]

1980 NLCS SERIES
Game 3 - Stade Olympique

The Governor-General and Prime Minister were amongst those in a sell-out crowd expecting to see Canadian history made tonight. Mike Krukow would get the start against the current World Series Champions.

The party got off to an outstanding start, with the Expos going two runs ahead at the bottom of the second, thanks to a Milt May double driving in George Brett and Dwight Evans. Montreal went ahead in the next inning when Brett drove in Evans for a 3-0 lead.

The Braves would show their quality, however, but staging a careful and calculated comeback, reducing the margin to two runs before going ahead in the ninth inning after Jamie Easterly allowed two runs in through walking the batsman, a disappointing turn of form from the star closer.

The Expos struck out at the bottom of the ninth and gave Atlanta their first win in this year's NLCS.