The Rise and Fall of Expos Baseball

[Big T]

When I was a kid, it was the exciting time for many kids and adults alike in 1967 when the Montreal Expos were awarded a franchise and Major League baseball was going north of the 49th for the first time. As a kid in Canada, well tuned into the workings of the NHL, professional baseball was still a bit of a mystery. For example I remember hoping for the Expos to reach 4th place in the National League Eastern Division and getting a chance at the playoffs, only to find out only the first place team of each division makes it to the post season.

The Expos were one of four teams that were added to the Major Leagues in 1967 to be ready for the 1969 season. The others were the Seattle Pilots, Kansas City Royals and the San Diego Padres. Expansion was not originally scheduled until 1971 but because of a sneaky move by Kansas City Athletics owner Charles O Finley, the Athletics moved to Oakland shortly after Jackson County, Missouri had commited to building the new Kaufmann Stadium. In a battle with the MLB which included legislation to remove baseballs anti trust exemption, the MLB succumbed and gave Kansas City a new franchise and moved expansion up by 2 year.

Interesting as well how all four teams came to agree on their nicknames. The Kansas City franchise named themselves the Royals after the local "American Royal livestock show" , while the Padres were purchased by the previous owner of the San Diego Padres Pacific Coast League AAA franchise. The Seattle team named the Pilots in honour the harbor pilots involved in the maritime industry while the Expos were named in honor of the 1967 Worlds Fair held in Montreal.
(thank you Wikipedia)

I will simply be reporting the action primarily from the Expos point of view but with intent to share as much of the history of the league as well. I will be using Real Transactions

[Big T]

Prelude to 1969- The 1968 Season

The 1968 Season was nicknamed the "Year of the Pitcher". The offense had been deminishing since the early 60s as a result of increasing the size of the strike zone in 1963. The strike was now "top of the armpit to the bottom of the knee" Bob Gibson took advantage of the larger zone and had a modern day record 1.12 ERA. Not to be out done, Tigers ace Denny McLain had 31 wins in the 1968 season. Another pitching milestone in 1968 was Mickey Lolich had 3 complete games in the World Series.

Some other outstanding pitching numbers include the St Louis Cardinals 30 shutouts, and the lowest total of runs allowed with 472 since the 162 game schedule.

Offensively, the numbers were staggeringly low. The American League had a combined .340 slugging percentage, the Chicago White Sox scored a total of 463 runs, the lowest total since the 162 game schedule. All these records remain as of today.

At the end of the season, the Rules committee agreed to go back to the pre 1963 strike zone and made adjustments to the mound to give the hitters a better chance.

1968 Awards

Most Valuable Player and Cy Young went to the same pitchers.

Denny McLain, Detroit Tigers (AL)
Bob Gibson, St Louis Cardinals (AL)

The Rookies of the Year were:

Stan Bahnsen, New York Yankees P
Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds C

Batting Average:
Carl Yastrzemski BOS .301
Pete Rose CINC .335

HRS
Frank Howard WASH 44
Willie McCovey SFG 36

Wins
Denny McLain DET 31
Juan Marichal SFG 26

ERA
Luis Tiant CLE 1.60
Bob Gibson STL 1.12

SB
Bert Campaneris OAK 62
Lou Brook STL 62

FINAL STANDINGS
American League
Detroit Tigers 103- 59 .636 -
Baltimore Orioles 91-71 .562 12
Cleveland Indians 86-75 .534 16.5
Boston Red Sox 86-76 .531 17
New York Yankees 83-79 .512 20
Oakland Athletics 82-80 .506 21
Minnesota Twins 79-83 .488 24
California Angels 67-95 .414 36
Chicago White Sox 67-95 .414 36
Washington Senators 65-96 .404 37.5

National League
St Louis Cardinals 97-65 .599 -
San Fransisco Giants 88-74 .543 9
Chicago Cubs 84-78 .519 13
Cincinnati Reds 83-79 .512 14
Atlanta Braves 81-81 .500 500 16
Pittsburg Pirates 80-82- .494 17
Los Angeles Dodgers 76-86 .469 21
Philadelphia Phillies 76-86 .469 21
New York Mets 73-89 .451 24
Houston Astros 72-90 .444 25

World Series Winners



The Detroit Tigers

[Big T]

The American League East and Predicted Finish



1st) Baltimore Orioles:
Manager: Earl Weaver
1968 Record: 91-71

Starting Rotation:
Dave McNally (22-10 1.95)
Mike Cuellar (8-11 2.74)
Jim Hardin (18-13 2.51)
Jim Palmer (3-1 2.94 )

McNally just came off a 22-10 season with a 1.95 ERA and a 23 year old Jim Palmer and his 90 mph fastball with exceptional movement mixed with Cuellar a hard throwing lefty that come over from Houston make this a formidable rotation. Add 18 game winner Jim Hardin that rarely walks anybody and you can understand why the are the favorites.

Batting Lineup:
LF Don Buford (.282 14 46)
2B Davey Johnson (.242 9 56)
1B Boog Powell (.249 22 85)
RF Frank Robinson (.268 1 15)
CF Paul Blair (.211 7 38)
C Elrod Hendricks (.202 7 23)
3B Brooks Robinson (.253 17 75)
SS Mark Belanger (.208 2 21)

One of my favorite baseball names, Boog Powell had a career high 39 HRs in 1964, with Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson providing some extra power should score a punch of runs will smooth as silk Paul Blair will save his share of runs for the Baltimore pitching.

2) Detroit Tigers
Manager: Mayo Smith
1968 Record 103-59

Rotation:
Denny McLain (31-6 1.96)
Mickey Lolich (17-9 3.19)
Earl Wilson (13-12 2.85 )
Pat Dobson (5-8 2.66 )

Lineup:
RF Al Kaline (.287 10 53)
3b Ike Brown ( rookie)
1b Norm Cash (.263 25 63)
LF Willie Horton (.285 36 85)
CF Jim Northrup (.264 21 90 )
C Bill Freehan (.263 25 84)
2b Dick Mcauliffe (.249 16 56)
SS Mickey Stanley (.259 11 60)

The Tigers are going to give the Orioles a run for it all the season as the defending champions. 28 year old Mickey Lolich (17 wins in 1968) and 25 year old Denny McLain (31 wins in 1968) achor this rotation. Offensively 26 year old Willie Horton (36 HRs in 1968) and 34 year old Norm Cash (25 HRs in 1968) will lead the offense.

3) Boston Red Sox
Manager: Dick Williams
1968 record: 86-76

Rotation:
Jim Lonborg (6-10 4.29)
Ray Culp (16-6 2.91)
Dick Ellsworth (16-7 3.03)
Ken Brett (0-0 4.50)

Lineup:
RF Ken Harrelson (.275 35 109)
2b Mike Andrews (.271 7 45)
CF Reggie Smith (.265 15 69)
LF Carl Yaztrzemski (.301 23 74)
SS Rico Petrocelli (.234 12 46)
1b George C Scott (.171 3 25)
3b Dalton Jones (.234 5 29 )
C Russ Gibson (.225 3 20)

Boston have 27 year old fireballer Ray Culp with 16 wins last season, 29 year old Dick Ellsworth with 16 wins and a 20 year old rookie Ken Brett as the key to the rotation. Carl Yastrzemski who had his HR total drop to 22 from 44 in 1968, did win the Batting championship and a 27 year old Ken Harrelson that came of a career season with 35 HRs. P Bill "Spaceman" Lee is a rookie, the 22 year old leftie has a extensive collection of green leafy plants in his greenhouse. The Red Sox also have another up and comer in Sparky Lyle. A 21 year old Carlton Fisk is also property of the Red Sox.

4) Washington Senators
Manager: Ted Williams
1968 record 65-96

Rotation
Camilo Pascual (13-12 2.69)
Joe H Coleman (12-16 3.27)
Jim Hannan (10-6 3.01)
Barry Moore (4-6 3.37)

Lineup
RF Ed Stroud (.239 4 23)
CF Del Unser (.230 1 30)
1b Mike Epstein (.234 13 33)
LF Frank Howard (.274 44 106)
2b Bernie Allen (.241 6 40)
3b Ken McMullen (.248 20 62)
C Jim French (.194 1 10)
SS Ed Brinkman (.187 0 6)

The Senators rotation is lead by 35 year old veteran Camillo Pascaul who was 13-12 in 1968 and 22 year old Joe Coleman who won 12 games. AL HR leader, Frank Howard will bat clean up, he hit 44 HRs and had 106 RBIs last season. 26 year old Ken McMullen will be expected to add some pop to the lineup and add on to his 22 HRs. In the system is a 20 year old SS Toby Harrah who has an excellent eye at the plate.

5) New York Yankees
Manager: Ralph Houk
1968 record: 83-79

Rotation:
Mel Stottlemyre Sr (21-12 2.45)
Stan Bahnsen (17-12 2.05)
Fritz Peterson (12-11 2.63)
Bill Burbach (rookie )

Lineup:
3b Jerry Kenney (.310 1 5 )
2b Horace Clark (.230 2 26)
LF Roy White (.267 17 62)
RF Bobby Murcer (.174 0 5)
1b Joe Pepitone (.245 15 56)
C Frank Fernandez (.170 7 30)
SS Tom Tresh (.195 11 52)
CF Bill Robinson (.240 6 40)

Mel Stottlemyre Sr was a 21 game winner and at age 27 will be the ace of the staff. Rookie of the year in 1968 Stan Bahnsen will expected to continue his development and improve on his 17-12 season as a 23 year old. Rookie Bill Burbank is penciled in as the number 4 guy in the rotation. Rookie Thurman Munson will make is debut for the Yankees. A future pretty darn good manager, 27 year old 3b Bobby Cox is a good option for the Yankees.

6) Cleveland Indians
Manager: Alvin Dark
1968 record : 86-75

Rotation:
Luis Tiant (21-9 1.60)
Sam McDowell (15-14 1.81)
Sonny Siebert (12-10 2.97)
Stan Williams (13-11 2.50)

Lineup:
CF Jose Cardenal (.257 7 44)
3b Lou Klimchock (.133 0 3)
1b Tony Horton (.249 14 59)
C Duke Sims (.249 11 44)
LF Lee Maye(.281 4 26)
RF Russ Snyder (.281 2 23)
2b Vern Fuller (.242 0 18)
SS Larry Brown (.234 6 35)

Sam McDowell, a 26 year old lefty will be counted on to provide stability to the rotation. His 94 mph fastball and nasty curveball should be effective. Sonny Siebert can also be expected to provide some depth in the rotation. But the ace will be Luis Tiant, the 28 year old Cuban had 21 wins and 1.60 ERA in 1968. Offense will be the issue for this team. A 22 year C Ray Fosse and future target of Pete Rose is a back up.

[Big T]

American League West and Predicted Finish



1) Minnesota Twins
Manager: Billy Martin
1968 Record 79-83

Rotation: (1968 Stats)
Tom Hall (2-1 2.43 )
Jim Kaat (14-12 2.94)
Jim Perry (8-6 2.27)
Dave Boswell (10-13 3.32)

Lineup:
CF Cesar Tovar (.272 6 47)
LF Ted Uhlaender (.283 7 52)
RF Tony Oliva (.289 18 68 )
3B Harmon Killebrew (.210 17 40 )
2B Rod Carew (.273 1 42)
1B Rich Reese (.259 4 28)
SS Leo Cardenas (.235 7 41 )
C John Roseboro (.216 8 39)

Rookies: C Rick Dempsey

Dave Boswell and Jim Kaat form the nucleus of the rotation. Kaat, a 30 year old lefty is workhorse that doesn't walk many won 25 games in 1966 for the Twins. 2B Rod Carew is only 23 and the LHB is just starting a fantastic career. Harmon Killebrew has been a consistant 40 HR hitter, achieving it 6 times so far in his career will be looking for a bounce back year. The Twin hope that 24 year old 3b Craig Nettles can be a bigger part of the Twins offense.


2) Oakland Athletics
Manager: Hank Bauer
1968 Record 82-80

Rotation (1968 stats)
Blue Moon Odom (16-10 2.45)
Jim Nash (13-13 2.28)
Catfish Hunter (13-13 3.35)
Chuck Dobson (12-14 3.00)

Lineups:
SS Bert Campaneris (.276 4 38 )
1B Danny Cater (.290 6 62)
CF Rick Monday (.274 8 49 )
RF Reggie Jackson (.250 29 74 )
3B Sal Bando (.251 9 67 )
2B Dick Green (.233 6 18)
C Phil Roof (.188 1 2 )
LF Jose Tartabull (.281 0 6)

Rookies P Vida Blue, P Rollie Fingers, C Gene Terrace, 2B Tony LaRussa,

Catfish Hunter, is only 22 years old and already has 43 wins going into the season, with good control and a 92 mph fastball. Another young starter, Blue Moon Odom is only 23 and can dazzle you with his movement. Vida Blue is only 19 years old, and he soon too will be part of the rotation while a 22 year old Rollie Fingers is waiting for his chance to hit the mound. Another young star in the making, LF Joe Rudi at age 22 has played 87 career games. Reggie Jackson a 22 year old is playing in only his 2nd full season.

3) California Angels
Manager: Bill Rigney
1968 record 67-95

Rotation (1968 stats)
Jim McGlothlin (10-15 3.54 )
Andy Messersmith (4-2 2.21)
George Brunet ( 13-17 2.86)
Rudy May ( rookie )

Lineup
RF Bill Voss ( .156 1 2 )
SS Jim Fergosi ( .244 9 49 )
CF Jay Johnstone ( .261 0 3 )
LF Rick Reichardt (.255 21 73 )
1B Jim Spencer ( .191 0 5 )
C Tom Satriano (.253 8 35 )
3B Aurelio Rodriquez (.242 1 16 )
2B Bobby Knoop (.249 3 39 )

Rookies P Rudy May, P Pedro Borbon,

Hi expectations for 24 year old Rudy May. He has 3 good pitches including a excellent curve ball and very good movement on his 90 mph heater. Another guy I am looking forward to seeing is 23 year old Andy Messersmith coming off his rookie season and 28 appearances. Amoung the other players on this roster is a 23 year old rookie Pedro Borbon and on the opposite side of the spectrum a 46 year old Hoyt Wilhelm that can still get the outs and sported a 1.73 ERA in 93 innings in 1968.

4) Seattle Pilots
Manager: Joe Schultz Jr
1968 record ( New franchise)

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Marty Pattin ( 4-4 2.79 )
Mike G Marshall ( 1-3 1.98 )
Gary Bell ( 11-11 3.12)
Diego Segui ( 6-5 2.39 )

Lineup
2b Tommy Harper ( .217 6 26 )
LF Tommy Davis (.268 8 50 )
RF Mike Hegan ( .136 1 3 )
1b Don Mincher ( .236 13 48 )
SS John E Kennedy (.196 1 17 )
CF Wayne Comer (.125 1 3 )
C Jerry McNertney ( .219 3 18)
3B Rich Rollins ( .241 6 30 )

The Pilots have a couple of other experienced starting pitchers in 31 year old Steve Barber who started 19 games for the Yankees in 1968 and Gene Brabender who started 15 with the Orioles. Patton on has 4 major league career starts but has 3 good pitches and a changeup that he rarely uses. He can throw 92 mph fastball.


5) Chicago White Sox
Manager: Al Lopez
1968 Record 67-95

Rotation ( 1968 Stats)
Gary Peters (4-13 3.76 )
Tommy John (10-5 1.98)
Joe Horlen ( 12-14 2.37)
Sammy Ellis (9-10 3.95 )

Lineup
CF Angel Bravo (rookie )
1b Gail Hopkins ( .216 0 2)
LF Carlos May (.179 0 1)
C Ed Herrmann (.667 0 1)
3b Bill Melton (.266 2 16 )
SS Luis Aparicio (.264 4 36 )
RF Walt Williams (.241 1 8 )
2b Sandy Alomar Sr (.253 0 12)

Rookies: C Ed Herrmann, P Carlos May, OF Angel Bravo,

SP Joe Horlen is a 31 year old vet that has pitched more the 200 innings for the past 5 seasons, a true innings muncher. Another top pitcher is Tommy John, at age 25 the lefty already has 50 major league wins and 131 starts. The White Sox also have bullpen specialist Wilbur Wood who has 212 relieve appearances and a 2.89 ERA. Veteran SS Luis Aparacio is 25 hits away from 2000 for the popular 34 year old.

6) Kansas City Royals
Manager: Joe Gordon
1968 Record (New Franchise)

Rotation (1968 stats)
Wally Bunker (2-0 2.41)
Roger Nelson (4-3 2.41)
Dave Morehead (1-4 2.45)
Steve Jones (1-2 5.91)

Lineup
3b Joe Foy (.225 10 60 )
C Ellie Rodriquez (.208 0 1 )
CF Pat H Kelly (.114 0 1 )
RF Ed Kirkpatrick (.230 0 1)
LF Lou Pinella (.000 0 1 )
1b Mike Fiore ( .059 0 0 )
SS Jackie Hernandez (.176 2 17)
2b Jerry Adair (.216 2 12)

Rookies; C Buck Martinez, LF Lou Pinella, CF Pat Kelly, RF Scott Northey

Kansas City did not draft alot of experience ball players during the expansion draft, but a few noteworthy are SP Wally Bunker with 100 career starts and 44 wins at age 24, veteran Galen Cisco at age 33 has 177 career games and 78 starts. As well 33 year old pitcher Moe Drabowsky, he came over from Baltimore and has played in over 400 games. As far as experience hitters, 1b Chuck Harrison has played 204 games with a .248 career batting average, 2b Jerry Adair with over 1000 games, and from the Red Sox they got 3b Joe Foy with 431 career games.

[TrammelFan]

Reading it, as it is interesting.

[Big T]

Originally Posted by TrammelFan

Reading it, as it is interesting.

Thanks, I have revised a few posts as I decided to set up the season a little deeper including my own predictions based on opening day rosters.

[Big T]

National League East and Predicted Finish



1) Pittsburg Pirates
Manager: Larry Shepard
1968 Record 80-82

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Steve Blass (18-6 2.12)
Bob Veale (13-14 2.05)
Dock Ellis (6-5 2.51 )
Bob Moose (8-12 2.73 )

Lineup
SS Freddie Patek (.255 2 18)
CF Matty Alou (.332 0 52)
RF Roberto Clemente (.291 18 57)
LF Willie Stargell (.237 24 67)
3b Richie Hebner (rookie)
1b Al Oliver (.125 0 0 )
C Manny Sanguillen (.271 0 8 )
2b Gene Alley (.245 4 39)

Rookies: 1b Al Oliver, 3b Richie Hebner,

Steve Blass is coming off an 18 win season and fools batters with a 92 mph that works well with his very good curveball. The Pirates also have 37 year old Jim Bunning who enters the season with 197 wins. At age 33 Veale still throws 91-93 mph mixed from the left side and is coming off his lowest win total since 1963. The Pirates have veteran 2b Bill Mazeroski who has played over 1880 games. At age 34, Roberto Clemente had his first season under .300 since 1959.

2) St Louis Cardinals
Manager: Red Schoendienst
1968 Record 97-65

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Bob Gibson (22-9 1.12)
Nelson Briles (19-11 2.81)
Ray Washburn (14-8 2.26)
Steve Carlton (13-11 2.99)

Lineup
RF Vada Pinson (.271 5 48)
CF Curt Flood (.301 5 60)
LF Lou Brook (.279 6 51)
1b Joe Torre (.271 10 55)
C Tim McCarver (.253 5 48)
2b Julian Javier (.260 4 52)
3b Mike Shannon (.266 15 79)
SS Dal Maxvill (.253 1 24)

Rookies: P Jerry Reuss, C Ted Simmons,

LHP Steve Carlton has been an full time starter now for 2 seasons going 14-9 and 13-11. He has some great movement to go along with 3 very good pitches. The 33 year old Bob Gibson has 147 win over his career and simply overpowers guys with his 95 mph heat. The Cards have veteran 1b Bill White with 202 career HRs in 1624 career games. Lou Brook is maybe the most dangerous base stealer in the game right now, over the past 5 years he has average well over 50 a season.

3) New York Mets
Manager: Gil Hodges
1968 Record 73-89

Rotation: (1968 Stats)
Tom Seaver (16-12 2.20)
Jim McAndrew (4-7 2.28)
Gary Gentry (rookie)
Jerry Koosman (19-12 2.08 )

Lineup
CF Tommie Agee (.217 5 17)
C Jerry Grote (.282 3 31)
LF Cleon Jones (.297 14 55)
RF Art Shamsky (.238 12 48)
2b Ken Boswell (.261 4 11)
3b Wayne Garrett (rookie)
SS Bud Harrelson (.219 0 14)
1b Ed Kranepool (.231 3 20)

Rookies P Gary Gentry, 3b Wayne Garrett,

Jerry Koosman sort of surprized everyone with a 19-12 season after going 0-2 in 3 starts with a 6.04 last season. The 26 year old will be expected to carry the load along with a 24 year old Tom Seaver. Seaver has won 16 games in each of his first 2 seasons. Seaver has a 93 mph fastball combined with an very good sinker and slider to get guys out. The Mets also have vet Don Cardwell who has started 277 games over his career. They also have high hopes for Tug McGraw, despite his high potential 4-19 career record. As well they are waiting for a 22 year old Nolan Ryan that has a 98 mph heater but has shown control problems.

4) Chicago Cubs
Manager: Leo Durocher
1968 Record 84-78

Rotation: (1968 Stats)
Fergie Jenkins (20-15 2.63)
Bill Hands (16-10 2.89 )
Ken Holtzman (11-14 3.35)
Joe Niekro (14-10 4.32 )

Lineup
SS Don Kessinger (.240 1 32)
2b Glenn Beckert (.294 4 37)
LF Billy Williams (.288 8 30)
RF Jim Hickman (.223 5 23)
3b Ron Santo (.246 26 98)
CF Don Young (rookie)
1b Ernie Banks (.246 32 83)
C Randy Hundley (.226 7 65)

Rookies OF Oscar Gamble, OF Don Young,

The two time 20 game winner from Canada is the ace of the staff, Fergie Jenkins has started 78 games over the past 2 years. 24 year old knuckleballer Joe Niekro can barely break a pain of glass but won 14 games last season. 1b Ernie Banks has been a Cub since 1953 and is 26 HRs away from 500, a mark he could achieve this season. At age 38, he is nearing the end of his career.

5) Montreal Expos
Manager: Gene Mauch
1968 Record ( new franchise)

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Mudcat Grant (6-4 3.25)
Bill Stoneman (0-1 5.52 )
Larry Jaster (9-13 3.50)
Carl Morton (rookie)

Lineup
SS Maury Wills (.278 0 31)
3b Coco Laboy (rookie)
RF Rusty Staub (.291 6 72)
LF Mack Jones (.252 10 34)
1b Bob Bailey (.227 8 39)
CF Ty Cline (.223 1 28)
C Ron Brand (.160 0 4)
2b Gary Sutherland (.275 0 15)

Rookies: P Carl Morton, P Steve Renko, 3b Coco Laboy,

More on the Expos later....

6) Philadephia Phillies
Manager: Bob Skinner
1968 Record 76-86

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Chris Short (19-13 2.94)
Rick Wise (9-15 4.55 )
Woody Fryman (12-14 2.78)
Jerry Johnson (4-4 3.24 )

Lineup
2b Tony Taylor (.250 3 38)
SS Don Money (.231 0 2)
LF Dick Allen (.263 33 90)
CF John E Briggs (.254 7 31)
RF Johnny Callison (.244 4 14)
1B Deron Johnson (.208 8 33)
3B Rick Joseph (.219 3 12)
C Mike J Ryan (.179 1 15)

Rookies: SS Don Money, OF Larry Hisle,

The side armed Lefty Woodie Fryman is expected to be a key part of the rotation. Not overpowering, but does not give up a lot of hits. Veteran 34 year old Turk Farrell has pitched in over 500 games and has 103 wins should be a big part of the bull pen. Chris Short balances a 93 mph fastball with a very good curve and changeup. He had 20 wins in 1966 to with 19 last season. OF Dick Allen can provide some good pop with 33 HRs last season and 40 in 1966.

[scott1964]

Originally Posted by Big T

National League East and Predicted Finish

Attachment 225052

1) Pittsburg Pirates
Manager: Larry Shepard
1968 Record 80-82

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Steve Blass (18-6 2.12)
Bob Veale (13-14 2.05)
Dock Ellis (6-5 2.51 )
Bob Moose (8-12 2.73 )

Lineup
SS Freddie Patek (.255 2 18)
CF Matty Alou (.332 0 52)
RF Roberto Clemente (.291 18 57)
LF Willie Stargell (.237 24 67)
3b Richie Hebner (rookie)
1b Al Oliver (.125 0 0 )
C Manny Sanguillen (.271 0 8 )
2b Gene Alley (.245 4 39)

Rookies: 1b Al Oliver, 2b Dave Cash, 3b Richie Hebner,

2) St Louis Cardinals
Manager: Red Schoendienst
1968 Record 97-65

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Bob Gibson (22-9 1.12)
Nelson Briles (19-11 2.81)
Ray Washburn (14-8 2.26)
Steve Carlton (13-11 2.99)

Lineup
RF Vada Pinson (.271 5 48)
CF Curt Flood (.301 5 60)
LF Lou Brook (.279 6 51)
1b Joe Torre (.271 10 55)
C Tim McCarver (.253 5 48)
2b Julian Javier (.260 4 52)
3b Mike Shannon (.266 15 79)
SS Dal Maxvill (.253 1 24)

Rookies: P Jerry Reuss, C Ted Simmons,

3) New York Mets
Manager: Gil Hodges
1968 Record 73-89

Rotation: (1968 Stats)
Tom Seaver (16-12 2.20)
Jim McAndrew (4-7 2.28)
Gary Gentry (rookie)
Jerry Koosman (19-12 2.08 )

Lineup
CF Tommie Agee (.217 5 17)
C Jerry Grote (.282 3 31)
LF Cleon Jones (.297 14 55)
RF Art Shamsky (.238 12 48)
2b Ken Boswell (.261 4 11)
3b Wayne Garrett (rookie)
SS Bud Harrelson (.219 0 14)
1b Ed Kranepool (.231 3 20)

Rookies P Gary Gentry, 3b Wayne Garrett,

4) Chicago Cubs
Manager: Leo Durocher
1968 Record 84-78

Rotation: (1968 Stats)
Fergie Jenkins (20-15 2.63)
Bill Hands (16-10 2.89 )
Ken Holtzman (11-14 3.35)
Joe Niekro (14-10 4.32 )

Lineup
SS Don Kessinger (.240 1 32)
2b Glenn Beckert (.294 4 37)
LF Billy Williams (.288 8 30)
RF Jim Hickman (.223 5 23)
3b Ron Santo (.246 26 98)
CF Don Young (rookie)
1b Ernie Banks (.246 32 83)
C Randy Hundley (.226 7 65)

Rookies OF Oscar Gamble, OF Don Young,

5) Montreal Expos
Manager: Gene Mauch
1968 Record ( new franchise)

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Mudcat Grant (6-4 3.25)
Bill Stoneman (0-1 5.52 )
Larry Jaster (9-13 3.50)
Carl Morton (rookie)

Lineup
SS Maury Wills (.278 0 31)
3b Coco Laboy (rookie)
RF Rusty Staub (.291 6 72)
LF Mack Jones (.252 10 34)
1b Bob Bailey (.227 8 39)
CF Ty Cline (.223 1 28)
C Ron Brand (.160 0 4)
2b Gary Sutherland (.275 0 15)

Rookies: P Carl Morton, P Steve Renko, 3b Coco Laboy,

6) Philadephia Phillies
Manager: Bob Skinner
1968 Record 76-86

Rotation: (1968 stats)
Chris Short (19-13 2.94)
Rick Wise (9-15 4.55 )
Woody Fryman (12-14 2.78)
Jerry Johnson (4-4 3.24 )

Lineup
2b Tony Taylor (.250 3 38)
SS Don Money (.231 0 2)
LF Dick Allen (.263 33 90)
CF John E Briggs (.254 7 31)
RF Johnny Callison (.244 4 14)
1B Deron Johnson (.208 8 33)
3B Rick Joseph (.219 3 12)
C Mike J Ryan (.179 1 15)

Rookies: SS Don Money, OF Larry Hisle,

It will be interesting to see how Stoneman, Staub, Morton and Willis play out.

[Big T]

I am looking forward to starting some games, but at the same time I am having a blast going through some of the old names. Brings me back to a younger day. Every time I analyize a team its "Oh, I remember that guy"

Thanks for reading.

[Big T]

National League West Review and Predictions:



1) San Fransisco Giants
Manager: Clyde King
1968 Record: 88-74

Rotation:
Juan Marichal (26-9 2.43)
Gaylord Perry (16-15 2.44)
Ray Sadecki (12-18 2.91)
Mike McCormick (12-14 3.58)

Lineup
C Dick Deitz (.272 6 38)
1b Willie McCovey (.293 36 105)
2b Ron Hunt (.250 2 28)
3b Jim Ray Hart (.258 3 23)
SS Hal Lanier (.206 0 27 )
LF Dave Marshall (.264 1 16)
CF Willie Mays (.289 23 79)
RF Bobby Bonds (.254 9 35)

31 year old Juan Marichal has won over 20 games for the 5th time in 1968 while exceeding 300 innings 3 times. Gaylord Perry can throw 5 different pitches, while not overpowering doesn't give up many hits. Lefty Joe Gibbons is a veteran arm in the pen. McCovey has exceeded 30 HRs for the 4th straight season and is in his prime at age 31. Jim Ray Hart has averaged over 25 HRs per season over the last 4 years. 37 year old Willie Mays is 13 HRs away from 600, he still has pop in his bat and should make it later this season.

2) Atlanta Braves
Manager: Lum Harris
1968 record: 81-81

Rotation:
Pat Jarvis (16-12 2.60)
Phil Neikro (14-12 2.59)
Ron Reed (11-10 3.35)
Ken Johnson (5-8 3.47)

Lineup:
C Bob Tillman (.220 5 20)
1b Orlando Cepeda (.248 16 73)
2b Felix Millan (.289 1 33)
3b Bob Aspromonte (.225 1 46)
SS Sonny Jackson (.226 1 19)
LF Rico Carty (.255 15 64 )
CF Felipe Alou (.317 11 57)
RF Hank Aaron (.287 29 85)

Pat Jarvis is the ace of the staff, with 31 wins over the past 2 seasons the 28 year old uses pitching smarts to get outs. Niekro, the 30 year old knuckleballer simply flutters the ball and forces them into outs. Veteran Orlando Cepeda is 16 HRs away from 300 but has seen his power numbers deteriorating since his 46 HR season in 1961. Henry Aaron is 35 and has 510 career HRs, like the rest of baseball, he has been a victim of the pitchers era the last few seasons.

3) Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Dave Bristol
1968 record 83-79

Rotation:
Jim Merritt (12-16 3.25)
George Culver (11-16 3.22)
Jim Maloney (16-10 3.61)
Gerry Arrigo (12-10 3.33)

Lineup:
C Johnny Bench (.275 15 82)
1b Lee May (.290 22 80 )
2b Tommy Helms (.288 2 47)
3b Tony Perez (.282 18 92)
SS Woody Woodward (.244 0 10)
LF Alex Johnson (.312 2 58)
CF Bobby Tolan (.230 5 17)
RF Pete Rose (.335 10 49)

Jimmy Maloney has won 15 or more games for 6 straight seasons including 23 in 1963. Gerry Arrigo has pitched since 1961 and was a starter for the 1st time in 1968 with 31 starts. Jack Fisher is another option for the Reds as a starter. Johnny Bench is coming off the Rookie of the year award, the 21 year old has a good career ahead of him. Pete Rose hit 200 hits for the 3 time in his career, he has a .302 career average.

4) Los Angeles Dodgers
Manager: Walter Alston
1968 record: 76-86

Rotation:
Bill Singer (13-17 2.88 )
Claude Osteen (12-18 3.09)
Don Drysdale (14-12 2.15 )
Don Sutton (11-15 2.60)

Lineup:
C Tom Haller (.285 4 53)
1b Wes Parker (.239 3 27)
2b Paul Popovich (.232 2 25)
3b Ken Boyer (.271 6 41)
SS Ted Sizemore (rookie)
LF Len Gabrielson (.270 10 35)
CF Willie Davis (.250 7 31)
RF Ron Fairly (.234 4 43)

The 32 year old Drysdale just continues to win, since 1956 he has won 204 games. Bill Singer is simply a fireball pitcher that can mx in a lethal slider and screwball, he is only 24 years old. Don Sutton can bring the heat with a 94 mph fastball, at age 24 the Dodgers are in good shape. At age 37 Ken Boyer's production is falling, he has 282 career HRs but has only 13 in his last two seasons.

5) Houston Astros
Manager: Harry Walker
1968 Record 72-90

Rotation:
Larry Dierker (12-15 3.31)
Denny Lemaster (10-15 2.81 )
Don Wilson (13-16 3.28)
Tom Griffin (rookie)

Lineup:
C Johnny Edwards (.239 3 29)
1b Curt Blefary (.200 1 15)
2b Julio Gotay (.248 1 11)
3b Doug Radar (.267 6 43)
SS Denis Menke (.249 6 56)
LF Jesus Alou (.263 0 39)
CF Jim Wynn (.269 26 67)
RF Norm Miller (.237 6 28)

Young Larry Dierker is expected to be the ace of this rotation. The 22 year old RHP can hit 93 mph with his fastball and already has 95 career starts. Tom Griffin will get his major league initiation early in the season. The 21 year old has a pretty good hop on his fastball and mix 3 pitches. Lemaster is the vet on this rotation, at age 30 he has 191 career starts and 68 wins. Don Wilson is another young hurler. Coming into his forth season he mixes 3 very good pitches in with a 93 mph heater. 41 year old Bill Henry will work out of the pen, the lefty was limited to 21 innings pitched last year. The Astros are excited to see what John Mayberry Jr can do in a full season. They are also excited about Bob Watson, the 22 year old is expected to be a contact hitter. Joe Morgan should be able to get back into the line up a bit more often this season, he only played in 10 games for the Astros last season.

6) San Diego Padres
Manager: Preston Gomez
1968 record ( new franchise)

Rotation:
Al McBean (9-12 3.58)
Dick Selma (9-10 2.76)
Dick Kelley (2-4 2.76)
Tommie Sisk (5-5 3.28)

Lineup:
C Chris Cannizzarro (.241 1 7)
1b Nate Colbert (.151 0 4)
2b Jose Arcia (.190 0 1)
3b Ed Spiezo (.157 0 2)
SS Roberto Pena (.260 1 38)
LF Larry Stahl (.235 3 10)
CF Tony Gonzalez (.264 3 38)
RF Ollie Brown (.232 0 11)

To say the least, the Padres sure did not go after too much MLB experience during the expansion draft. Dick Kelley was drafted from Atlanta and has 37 career starts, Dick Selma has 38 career starts, McBean has the most experince with 75 starts and 369 games pitched. But they do have a couple guys that should make some impact in the future, Clay Kirby a 20 year old righty has 4 good pitches, wont amaze you with a fast ball but should be a consistant starter. Outside CF Tony Gonzalez, the Padres did not draft a single player with more then 1000 career at bats or 2 full seasons. It could be a very tough season in San Deigo this year.

[Big T]

The 1969 Expos

Like the Padres, Royals and the Pilots the Expos built thier roster in October via an expansion draft. The drafted the following players in the first 5 rounds:

Manny Mota RF 31 years old from Pittsburg
Mack Jones LF 30 years old from Cincinnati
John Bateman C 28 years old from Houston
Gary Sutherland 2b 24 years old from Philadelphia
Jack Billingham SP 26 years old from Los Angeles

Manny Mota had played 6 seasons for the Pirates and was a sterotypical lead off hitter, good OB% and speed.

Mack Jones showed some good power numbers in 1965 and 1966 with seasons of over 20 HRs in each, but "Mack the Knife" has seen his HRs totals drop the last 2 seasons.

John Bateman had spent 6 seasons in Houston averaging about 100 games as season. Not a big offensive threat he averaged 8 HRs and a .228 batting average over those 6 years.

Gary Sutherland had played 3 seasons in the majors prior to the expansion draft. Absolutely no power with 1 career HR in 173 games and an average 2b at the best.

Billingham never played a game with the Expos, he was part of compensation to the Houston Astros in the Rusty Staub trade that originally had Donn Clendenon and Jesus Alou going to Houston. When Clendenon did not report to Houston, Billingham and Skip Guinn were the compensation.

How the Rest of the Line up came together.

SP Mudcat Grant was the Expos 17th pick from the Los Angeles Dodgers. At age 33 he came to the Expos with a lot of experience which include 280 starts and 123 wins.

SP Bill Stoneman was the 10th pick from the Chicago Cubs. The 25 year old Stoneman features 4 pitches including a 92 mph fastball. Primarily used as a reliever in two seasons with the Cubs, he is expected to start.

SP Larry Jaster was the 24th pick from the St Louis Cardinals. The 25 year old Jaster is a soft tossing lefty that has 68 career starts and 32 career wins.

SP Carl Morton was the Expos 23rd pick from the Atlanta Braves. Morton, 25 has yet to throw a pitch in the majors but the scouts say he has excellent movement and good control and mixes 3 pretty good pitches well.

REL Roy Face was signed as a free agent by the Expos. The 41 year old has 804 career relief appearances and 100 wins over his career. Face will use his sharp control to get batters out.

C Ron Brand was the 29th pick, another C from the Houston Astros. He has average 70 games a season in Houston and a career .235 hitter.

1b Bob Bailey was purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26 year old has an above average bat and can play the corners and LF.

1b Donn Clendenon was the Expos 6th pick in the draft, from the Pittsburg Pirates. He has been the starting 1b for the Pirates since 1963 averaging about 17 HRs a season with a .280 batting average.

SS Maury Wills was another pick from the Pittsburg Pirates, the 12th pick. The 36 year old Wills has played 10 seasons in the majors, 8 with the Dodgers. He hits for average and steals bases but has no power. Still a pretty good short stop.

RF Rusty Staub was acquired in the deal I had mentioned earlier. Staub, already a very popular player in the league will certainly bring some fans through the turnstiles for the Expos. In 6 seasons in Houston he averaged 140 games, 132 hits, 10 HRs and 62 RBIs with a .273 average.



Up Next Opening Day.

[Big T]

April 7th, 1969

Its opening day for Major League baseball today in 3 fronts. The New York Yankees will visit the Washington Senators. Mel Stottlemyre Sr will face veteran right hander Camilo Pascual.

The Cincinnati Reds will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers where it will be long time Dodger starter Don Drysdale facing 20 year old Gary Nolan.

The third game of the day features the San Fransisco Giants visiting the Braves in Atlanta. Juan Marichal will go up against 16 game winner Pat Jarvis.

The Expos will open thier season tomorrow in the unfriendly Shea Stadium.

Todays games:
New York Yankees 6 Washington Senators 5 (10)
W: Mel Stottlemyre Sr (1-0) L: Dennis Higgins (0-1) S: Lindy McDaniel (1)
HR: NYA Bobby Murcer (1) WSH: Paul Casanova (1) Mike Espstein (1)

Cincinnati Reds 6 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
W: Gary Nolan (1-0) L: Don Drysdale (0-1)
HR: LAN Ted Sizemore (1) CIN Johnny Bench (1) Lee May (1)

San Fransisco Giants 7 Atlanta Braves 1
W: Juan Marichal (1-0) L: Paul Jarvis (0-1)
HR: SFN Dick Dietz (1) Willie McCovey 2 (2) ATL Hank Aaron (1)

Stars of the Day:

San Fransisco Giants Willie McCovey 4 for 5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2R

Cincinnati Reds Gary Nolan 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER 3 BB, 6 Ks

Cincinnati Reds Lee May 1 for 3, HR, 5 RBI, 1 R

[Big T]

Tuesday April 8th, 1969



Montreal Expos

vs



New York Mets

The day finally arrived for baseball fans in Montreal and across Canada. Way back in 1967 when Major League Baseball announced they had awarded a franchise to Montreal and Charles Bronfman, it seemed that today would never arrive.

With the controversy of the Donn Clendenon refusing to report to Houston as part of the Rusty Staub trade and losing highly touted Jack Billingham as compensation and $100,000 to the Astros, the Expos were ready to take the field.

Montreal will send 33 year old Mudcat Grant to the mound to face one of the leagues top young guns, Tom Seaver.

The lineup for the First ever game in Montreal Expos history look like this.

SS Maury Wills
2b Gary Sutherland
RF Rusty Staub
LF Mack Jones
1b Bob Bailey
C John Bateman
3b Coco Laboy
CF Don Hahn
P Mudcat Grant

The Expos first ever at bats go down in order in the first. Grant takes down the first 3 batters he faces in order as well. Facing Seaver with two in the top of the second, C John Bateman doubles to deep right-center for the Expos first ever hit and extra base hit. Unfortunately Coco Laboy flyouts harmlessly behind him.

In the bottom of the second with one out, Ed Charles and Ed Kranepool put together a couple of back to back singles and Mudcat Grant induces Jerry Grote to ground out and move the runners up which brings up Bud Harrelson the number 8 hitter. Harrelson hits a hard ground ball up the middle that Maury Wills can't handle cleanly and Ed Charles scores from third to make it 1-0 Mets. Seaver follows with a deep fly ball to left field to end the inning.

Now to the bottom of the fourth, Seaver gives up a 2 out walk to Mack Jones followed up by a single to left by Bob Bailey. A wild pitch by Seaver moves the runners up for John Bateman but he unfortunately strikes out on the 2-2 pitch the end the threat.

The New York Mets extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth with a Jerry Grote 3 run HR off of Grant to make it 4-0. The Expos send 3b Coco Laboy to face Seaver to start the 5th and Expos history is made as he takes the first pitch he sees down to left field line into the bleachers for the Expos very first home run.

Mudcat Grants night was done in the bottom of the 7th, after Tommie Agee reached base on the Expos 3rd error of the game and was replaced by Jerry Robertson. Seaver was able to keep the Expos at bay the rest of the game giving up only one more hit to Staub in the 8th for a Mets 4-1 win.

MTL 000 010 000 1 4 3
NYM 010 300 00x 4 6 0

W: Tom Seaver (1-0) L: Mudcat Grant (0-1)
HR MTL Coco Laboy (1) NYM Jerry Grote (1)



Around the Majors:

American League:

Minnesota 15 Kansas City 4
W: Tom Hall (1-0) L: Wally Bunker (0-1)
HR MIN Tony Oliva (1) Rich Reese (1) KCA Ed Kirkpatrick (1)

Cleveland 2 Detroit 1
W: Luis Tiant (1-0) L: Denny McLain (0-1)
HR CLE Lou Klimchock (1)

Baltimore 1 Boston 0
W: Dave McNally (1-0) L: Jon Lonborg (0-1)
HR None

Chicago 5 Oakland 4
W: Gary Peters (1-0) L: Blue Moon Odom (0-1) S: Bob Locker (1)
HR: CHA Ed Herrmann (1) Carlos May 2 (2) OAK Dave Duncan (1)

California 4 Seattle 3
W: Tom Bradley (1-0) L: Jim Bouton (0-1)
HR SEA Don Mincher (1)

National League:

Philadelphia 5 Chicago 3
W Chris Short (1-0) L: Fergie Jenkins (0-1)
HR PHI John Briggs (1) Johnny Callison (1) CHN Jim Hickman (1)

St Louis 4 Pittsburg 1
W: Bob Gibson (1-0) L: Steve Blass (0-1)
HR None

Houston 7 San Diego 4 (14)
W: Jack Billingham (1-0) L: Tom Dukes (0-1)
HR SDN Al Ferrara (1)

Atlanta 7 San Fransisco 6
W: Jim Britton (1-0) L: Frank Linzy (0-1)
HR: SFN Bobby Bonds (1) Jack Hiatt (1) ATL: Orando Cepeda (1)

Players of the Day

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 Ks

St Louis Cardinals Bob Gibson 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 Ks

New York Mets Tom Seaver 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks

[Big T]

Baseball America releases its Top 100 Prospects List



Today Baseball America released it's top 100 Prospects List and the Expos have one player amoung the Top 10. The Top 10 are as follows:

1) C Gene Tenace, 22, Oakland Athletics
2) P Jerry Ruess, 19 St Louis Cardinals
3) P Jerry Robertson, 25 Montreal Expos
4) CF Oscar Gamble, 19 Chicago Cubs
5) LF Bernie Carbo, 21 Cincinnati Reds
6) P Bob Johnson, 25 New York Mets
7) P Dave Roberts, 24 San Diego Padres
8) P Ken Brett, 20 Boston Red Sox
9) C Carlton Fisk, 21, Boston Red Sox
10) 3b Darrell Evans, Atlanta Braves



Other Expos amoung the top 100.

23) P Steve Renko, 24
38) P Bob Reynolds, 22
56) P Mike Wegener 22
57) P Carl Morton 25
72) SS Garry Jestadt 22

Other Notables:

21) C Thurmon Munson, 21 New York Yankees
24) 1b Steve Garvey, 20 Los Angeles Dodgers
25) LF George Foster, 20 San Fransisco Giants
43) P Pedro Borbon, 22 California Angels
44) P Vida Blue, 19 Oakland Athletics
53) LF Bill Buckner, 19 Los Angeles Dodgers

[Big T]

Wednesday, April 9, 1969



Montreal Expos

vs



New York Mets

Game 2 of the series in Shea Stadium and the Expos are looking for franchise win number one. The Expos will send 25 year old Bill Stoneman to the hill, while the Mets will counter with 25 year old Jim McAndrew.

The Expos take the lead in the top of the 2nd. Coco Laboy hits a 1 out single followed by Don Hahn single into right field, a throwing error by Rod Gasper moved both of them into scoring position. Bill Stoneman helps himself with a SAC fly to deep center field and Laboy scores with out a throw to give the Expos their very first major league lead 1-0.

The Mets tie it up on a RBI single by Ken Boswell scoring Tommie Agee in the bottom of the 3rd. The score stayed tied until the bottom of the 7th with Bud Harrelson on second after a one out double, Mets pitcher Jim McAndrew was called to sacrifice bunt and catcher John Bateman's throw to 1st goes into right field. Harrelson comes around to score to make it 2-1 Mets.

In the top of the 8th, The Expos tie it up with a 1 out solo home run by Gary Sutherland off of McAndrew. In the bottom of the 9th with the score tied, Bill Stoneman surrenders his 7th walk of the game and is replaced by 41 year old Roy Face who promptly gets the old 6 to 3 ground out to get out of the inning and the Expos are headed to extra innings for the first time.

Tug Mcgraw comes into the top of the 10th and walks pinch hitter Remy Hermoso and then surrenders a single to Maury Wills bringing up 2b Gary Sutherland. Sutherland takes the 2-0 pitch and blasts his 2nd HR of the game, a 3 run shot to give the Expos a 5-2 lead. Mack Jones added some insurance with his solo shot in the 10th and the Expos hold on for a 6-2 win, the franchises first ever.

MTL 010 000 010 4 6 10 2
NYM 001 000 100 0 2 6 1

W: Roy Face (1-0) L: Tug McGraw (0-1)
HR MTL Mack Jones (1) Gary Sutherland 2 (2)



American League

Chicago 2 Oakland 1
W: Tommy John (1-0) L: Jim Nash (0-1)
HR None

Minnesota 6 Kansas City 1
W: Jim Kaat (1-0) L: Roger Nelson (0-1)
HR: None

New York 2 Washington 1
W: Stan Bahnsen (1-0) L: Joe Coleman (0-1)
HR: NYA Joe Pepitone (1) WSH Ed Stroud (1)

California 5 Seattle 0
W: Andy Messersmith (1-0) L: Mike Marshall (0-1)
HR CAL Jay Johnstone (1)

National League:

Philadelphia 10 Chicago 3
W: Rick Wise (1-0) L: Bill Hands (0-1)
HR PHI Dick Allen (1) Mike Ryan (1) Ron Stone (1) Rick Wise 2 (2) CHN: Ron Santo (1) Billy Williams (1)

Houston 13 San Diego 9 (13)
W: Jim Ray (1-0) L: Frank Reberger (0-1)
HR: HOU Norm Miller (1) Jim Wynn (1) SDN Nate Colbert (1)

St Louis 7 Pittsburg 3
W: Nelson Briles (1-0) L: Bob Veale (0-1)
HR None

Cincinnati 2 Los Angeles 0
W: Jim Maloney (1-0) L: Don Sutton (0-1) S: Clay Carroll (1)
HR: CIN Bobby Tolan (1)

Atlanta 8 San Fransisco 2
W: Milt Pappas (1-0) L: Bobby Bolin (0-1)
HR: SFG Bobby Bonds (2) Willie Mays (1) ATL Clete Boyer (1)

Stars of the Day:

California Angels Andy Messersmith 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks

Montreal Expos Gary Sutherland 3 for 5, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 R

Cincinnati Reds Jim Maloney 8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 Ks

[Big T]

Thursday, April 10th, 1969



Montreal Expos

vs



New York Mets

Game 3 of series and the Expos looking for thier very first series win. Today its the soft tossing lefty Larry Jaster going against the fireballing 22 year old Gary Gentry.

The Expos open the scoring in the top of the 2nd when Mack Jones scores on a fielders choice to 3rd base by Coco Laboy. Jones reached base on a lead off walk and moved to 3rd on a single by John Bateman and a error by Ron Swaboda when the ball got past him. Don Hahn followed with a single but Bateman was cut down at home by a good throw by RF Rod Gasper.

The Mets answered back with a RBI single by Jerry Grote in the bottom of the 2nd and took the lead after a Tommie Agee leadoff double in the 3rd was scored on a Bateman throwing error on Agee's steal of 3rd attempt.

The Expos do tie it up 2-2 in the 4th. Bob Bailey leads off the inning with a single and scores on Coco Laboys double off the wall in left center. Both Hahn and Jaster are unable to cash in Laboy from 2nd.

The Mets regain the lead in the 5th after a Tommie Agee lead off triple and a Rod Gasper high infield chopper to third for a single. The Mets lead 3-2. Young Jerry Robertson worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th to keep it close.

Montreal finally answers back in the top of the 8th. Mack Jones leads off the inning with a solid line drive double to left field and moves to third on a fielders choice to third base by Bob Bailey. Reliever Ron Taylor comes into to face John Bateman a allows a SAC fly to center field to tie the game.

In the Top of the 9th, Donn Clendenon leads off and gets his second pinch hit single in two games. After Marv Stahle reached base on an error by Jerry Grote, Maury Wills was intentionally walked to face Ty Cline who was summoned as the 3rd pinch hitter of the inning. Kline hits into a home to first double play leaving runners at 2nd and 3rd for Rusty Staub. Staub does what the Expos were hoping for when they made the trade to get him and hits a 3 Run Home Run to right field to make it 6-3. Mack Jones follows up with a one of the rarest plays in baseball, an inside the park Home Run to make it 7-3.

Steve Shea comes in for the Expos to close it out and makes it interesting. 5 of the first 6 batters reach safely and the lead is cut to 7-6 with one out and Wayne Garrett at third and Ron Swoboda at 1st. Shea gets Jerry Grote to ground out to 3rd on a hard hit ball, forcing Garrett to hold but allowing Swoboda to move up to 2nd and then gets Bud Harrelson to flyout to right field to end the game.

Expos win 2 out of 3 from the Mets.

MTL 010 100 014 7 11 1
NYM 011 010 003 6 12 2

W: Jerry Robertson (1-0) L: Ron Taylor (0-1)
HR MTL Mack Jones (2) Rusty Staub (1)



American League:

Detroit 5 Cleveland 1
W: Mickey Lolich (1-0) L: Sam McDowell (0-1)
HR: CLE Chuck Hinton (1) DET Willie Horton (1) Jim Northrup (1)

Washington 2 New York 1
W: Darold Knowles (1-0) L: Fritz Peterson (0-1)
HR: None

Baltimore 6 Boston 3
W: Mike Cuellar (1-0) L: Ray Culp (0-1)
HR BOS Mike Andrews (1) Rico Petrocelli (1) BAL Elrod Hendricks (1) Davey Johnson (1) Boog Powell (1)

National League:

Pittsburg 10 St Louis 1
W: Doc Ellis (1-0) L: Ray Washburn (0-1)
HR PIT Willie Stargell (1)

Philadelphia 9 Chicago 5
W: Gary Wagner (1-0) L: Ken Holtzman (0-1)
HR: PHI Dick Allen (2) Larry Hisle (1) Don Money (1) Cookie Rojas (1) Ron Stone (2)

Houston 4 San Diego 3
W: Danny Coombs (1-0) L: Dick Kelley (0-1) S: Dooley Womack (1)
HR: HOU Bob Watson (1) SDN Tony Gonzales (1)

Stars of the Day:

Mickey Lolich Detroit Tigers 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 13K's

Dock Ellis Pittsburg Pirates 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 Ks

Willie Stargell Pittsburg Pirates 3 for 4, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R

[Big T]

Friday, April 11th, 1969



Montreal Expos

vs



Chicago Cubs

The Expos travel to Chicago to face the winless Cubs. Expos rookie pitcher Carl Morton will get his first major league start while Manny Mota is inserted in the starting lineup for the first time in CF. Morton will be facing knuckle ball enthusiast Joe Neikro. Both pitchers are starting for the first time of the season.

The Expos open the scoring in the top of the 3rd. Maury Wills gets a one out walk, and Manny Mota moves him into scoring position with a single up the middle. After a Rusty Staub fly ball out allows Wills to move up to 3rd, lefty hitting Mack Jones hits a 2 run double to left field and a 2-0 Expos lead.

Carl Morton continued to cruise along pretty smoothly through 5 and the Expos gave him a bit of insurance with a Bob Bailey solo HR in the 6th to make it 3-0.

Morton finally starts looking like a rookie in the 8th with one out and Billy Williams and Ron Santo get singles followed by a RBI single by veteran Ernie Banks. Morton gets Hundley to fly out to end his afternoon and leaves with a 3-1 lead, going 8 strong innings allowing 6 hits and striking out 3. Roy Face comes in for the 9th and gets them in order to pressure the win.

MTL- 002 001 000 3 9 0
CHI- 000 000 010 1 6 0

W: Carl Morton (1-0) L Joe Niekro (0-1) S: Roy Face (1)
HR: MTL Bob Bailey (1)



American League

Chicago 6 Seattle 4
W: Joe Horlen (1-0) L: Jim Bouton (0-2) S: Bob Locker (2)
HR: CHA Carlos May (3) Pete Ward (1)

Cleveland 4 Boston 2
W: Sonny Siebert (1-0) L Dick Ellsworth (0-1) S: Vicente Romo (1)
HR: CLE Joe Azcue (1)

Detroit 8 New York 2
W: Earl Wilson (1) L: Bill Burbach (0-1)
HR NYA Jake Gibbs (1) Bobby Murcer (2)

Oakland 7 Kansas City 5
W: Catfish Hunter (1-0) L Dave Morehead (0-1) S Rollie Fingers (1)
HR OAK Reggie Jackson (1)

California 4 Minnesota 2
W: George Brunet (1-0) L: Jim Perry (0-1) S: Tom Bradley (1)
HR CAL Bobby Knoop (1)

Baltimore 8 Washington 5
W: Jim Hardin (1-0) L: Barry Moore (0-1) S: Eddie Watt (1)
HR WSH Frank Howard (1) BAL Paul Blair (1) Don Buford (1) Boog Powell (2)

National League

Philadelphia 4 Pittsburg 2
W: Jerry Johnson (1-0) L: Bob Moose (0-1) S Turk Farrell (1)
HR: PHI Dick Allen (3)

St Louis 5 New York 4
W: Steve Carlton (1-0) L: Jerry Koosman (0-1) S: Joe Hoerner (1)
HR STL Joe Torre (1)

Houston 10 Los Angeles 3
W: Denny Lemaster (1-0) L: Claude Osteen (0-1)
HR None

San Diego 7 San Fransisco 2
W: Clay Kirby (1-0) L: Ray Sedecki (0-1)
HR: SFN Jim Ray Hart (1) SDN Nate Colbert (2) Larry Stahl (1)

Atlanta 5 Cincinnati 3
W: Ron Reed (1-0) L:Jim Merritt (0-1) S: Cecil Upshaw (1)
HR ATL Hank Aaron (2)

Stars of the Day

Jerry Johnson Philadelphia Phillies 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1K

Nate Colbert San Diego Padres 3 for 3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R

Boog Powell Baltimore Orioles 4 for 5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R

[Big T]

Saturday, April 12th, 1969



Montreal Expos

Vs



Chicago Cubs

The Montreal Expos will face Canadian born Ferguson Jenkins for the very first time. Fergie Jenkins is a two time 20 game winner for the Cubs that made his initial debut as a reliever with the Philadelphia Phillies. Jenkins mixes a 94 mph fastball with a very good sinker and slider. Jenkins is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in his only start.

For the Expos, Mudcat Grant will make his second start of the season, he is 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA. Expos Don Bosch will make his 1st start for the Expos, hitting leadoff and playing in CF.

Again the Expos open up the scoring, this time in the first. Don Bosch leads off with a single and scores on Maury Wills triple to right center. Rusty Staub follows with a groundout to second that scored Wills and the Expos lead 2-0.

After Mudcat Grant strands runners on 2nd and 3rd for the Cubs in the bottom of the 2nd, he leads off the 3rd with a single. Bosch walks and Wills hits into a fielders choice leaving the Expos with runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Wills gets caught stealing 2nd by (C) a pitch before Rusty Staub hits a 2 Run HR to make it 4-0 Expos.

In the bottom of the 5th, Fergie Jenkins hits a triple just over the 1st base ball. After an intentional walk to Kessinger, Jerry Robertson comes in to replace Grant on the hill. The first batter he faces Glenn Beckert hits a fly out down the right field line, Jenkins tags up and goes and Staub guns him down at home. The Cubs can't cash in the remaining base runner and the score remains 4-0.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Cubs finally get on the board. A lead off triple by Al Spangler leads to a Fergie Jenkins RBI ground out to 1b. But thats all the Cubs get in the 7th.

In the bottom of the 9th, Roy Face comes in with a 4-1 lead but gets into trouble quickly. After a lead off walk to Randy Hundley, a single to Spangler, pinch hitter Jim Hickman hits a 3 Run HR to tie it up. Face gets the next 3 outs and we are headed to extra innings.

Cubs Phil Regan comes in for the 10th and gets Bosch, pinch hitter Ty Cline and Rusty Staub in order to bring up the bottom of the 10th. First hitter that Face pitches to in the 10th is Billy Williams and he hits a walk off solo HR to win it for the Cubs 5 to 4.

MTL 202 000 000 0 4 10 1
CHI 000 000 103 1 5 10 0

W: Phil Regan (1-0) L: Roy Face (1-1)
HR MTL Rusty Staub (2) CHN Jim Hickman (2) Billy Williams (2)



American League:

Oakland 6 Kansas City 2
W: Chuck Dobson (1-0) L: Steve Jones (0-1)
HR: None

New York 6 Detroit 1
W: Mel Stottlemyre Sr (2-0) L: Denny McLain (0-2)
HR NYA Gene Michael (1)

Boston 7 Cleveland 2
W: Ken Brett (1-0) L: Stan Williams (0-1)
HR BOS Rico Petrocelli (2)

Baltimore 6 Washington 3
W: Dave McNally (2-0) L: Camilo Pascual (0-1)
HR WSH Paul Casanova (2) BAL Davey Johnson (2) Boog Powell (3)

Chicago 5 Seattle 3
W: Sammy Ellis (1-0) L Jim Bouton (0-3) S: Jerry Nyman (1)
HR: CHA Ron Hansen (1) Bill Melton (1) SEA Mike Hegan (1)

Minnesota 10 California 4
W: Dave Boswell (1-0) L: Rudy May (0-1)
HR: MIN Bob Allison (1)

National League

San Fransisco 1 San Diego 0
W: Juan Marichal (2-0) L: Al McBean (0-1) S: Frank Linzy (1)
HR None

St Louis 3 New York 0
W: Chuck Taylor (1-0) L: on Cardwell (0-1) S Joe Hoerner (2)
HR STL Curt Flood (1)

Pittsburg 11 Philadelphia 5
W: Jim Bunning (1-0) L: Grant Jackson (0-1)
HR: PHI Don Money (2) PIT Roberto Clemente 2 (2) Richie Hebner (1)

Atlanta 4 Cincinnati 2
W: Pat Jarvis (1-1) L: Gary Nolan (1-1) S Cecil Upshaw (2)
HR: CIN Pete Rose (1) ATL Hank Aaron 2 (4)

Houston 5 Los Angeles 2
W: Jim Ray (2-0) L: Bill Singer (0-1) S Danny Coombs (1)
HR None

Players of the Day:

Roberto Clemente Pittsburg Pirates 2 for 5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R

Juan Marichal San Fransisco Giants 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks

Richie Hebner Pittsburg Pirates 4 for 4, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 R.

Pittsburg Pirates 3b Richie Hebner hits for the cycle today. The 21 year old Hebner is hitting .333 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs so far this season.

[Big T]

Sunday Night Baseball



Cincinnati Reds

Vs



The first edition of the Sunday Night baseball will feature some of the other clubs in the Major leagues. Tonight we will feature the Reds and the Braves. The Braves come in on a 4 game win streak after losing thier first game of the season. Cincinnati is 2-2 so far on the season.

Todays Starting Lineups:

For the visiting the Reds

1) Pete Rose CF .357 1 HR 1 RBI
2) Bobby Tolan RF .286 1 HR 2 RBIs
3) Alex Johnson LF .267 0 HR 0 RBI
4) Tony Perez 3B .125 0 HR 0 RBI
5) Lee May 1B .357 1 HR 5 RBIs
6) Johnny Bench C .200 1 HR 3 RBIs
7) Tommy Helms 2B .167 0 HR 1 RBI
8) Woody Woodward SS .182 0 HR 1 RBI
9) Tony Cloninger P .000 0 HR 0 RBIs

SP Tony Cloninger (1st start of the season, 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 17 starts last season.)

For the Home Braves:

1) Felipe Alou CF .286 0 HR 1 RBI
2) Felix Milan 2B .182 0 HR 1 RBI
3) Hank Aaron RF .450 4 HR 9 RBIs
4) Orlando Cepeda 1B .333 1 HR 1 RBI
5) Clete Boyer 3B .412 1 HR 3 RBI
6) Sonny Jackson SS .077 0 HR 2 RBI
7) Bob Didier C .143 0 HR 2 RBIs
8) Ralph Garr LF .455 0 HR 3 RBIs
9) Phil Niekro P .000 0 HR 0 RBIs

SP Phil Niekro 0-0 6.75 ERA 1 GS (14-12 2.59 ERA in 34 GS in 1968)

Phil Niekro is primarily a knuckle ball thrower and his secondary pitch is a fastball that is usually about 20 mph slower then his fastball while Cloniger is uses a 90 mph backed up with a change up that will keep hitters off balance.

Phil Niekro faces 6 batters in the top of the 1st, but the Reds come up empty leaving the bases loaded. While the Braves score in the bottom half of the inning. Felipe Alou leads the inning off with a single to center and moves to second on a 1 out walk to Hank Aaron. Orlando Cepeda hits an RBI single to make it 1-0 for the Braves.

In the top of the 6th, Johnny Bench in his second season in the majors is showing why he was the rookie of the year in the NL last season hits a Solo HR to left to tie the game 1-1. Niekro then gives up 2 back to back 2 out walks to Woody Woodward and pitcher Tony Cloninger when Peter Rose hits a single up the middle to score Woodward. Before Niekro can get the next batter Tolan out on a ground ball, he delivers a wild pitch on a knuckleball and a passed ball is charged to Bob Didier allowing Cloninger to score and make it 3-1 for the Reds.

The Reds add to thier lead in the 7th after Alex Johnson hits a triple of the top of the right centre fence forcing the Braves to walk Tony Perez. Bernie Carbo comes in as a pinch hitter and hits a single up the middle to score Johnson and moves Perez to 2nd. Johnny Bench follows with a single to LF Ralph Garr that he botches the pick up and allows Perez to score and Carbo moves to third. Carbo scored when the next batter Tommy Helms hits a ground out to the shortstop and makes the score 6-1 for the Reds.

Atlanta score a couple in the bottom of the 8th after Aaron and Cepeda lead off the inning with singles and after Clete Boyer hitting into a fielders choice leaves Aaron at 3rd and Boyer at 1st with 1 out. Wayne Granger came into pitch for the Reds to face Sonny Jackson who hits a SAC fly to left scoring Aaron. Bob Didier follows with a single which leaves the moves Boyer to 2nd and forces the Reds to bring in Clay Carroll in to face Ralph Garr. Garr cashes in Boyer with a single to make the score 6-3. Rico Carty came in as a pinch hitter and flied out to right field to end the threat.

The Reds added some insurance in the top of the 9th after a walk to Bench and a double by Helms that scored Bench and make it 7-4. Clay Carroll takes down Alou, Millan and Aaron in order in the bottom of the 9th to preserve the lead and game.

CIN 000 003 301 7 9 0
ATL 100 000 020 3 10 3

W: Tony Cloninger (1-0) L: Phil Niekro (0-1) S: Clay Carroll (2)
HR: CIN Johnny Bench (2)

[Big T]

Sunday, April 13th, 1969



Montreal Expos

VS



Chicago Cubs

The Expos will send Bill Stoneman to the hill for the 2nd time this season. In his first game he had a no decision but went 8.2 IPs without giving up a run. The Expos eventually won the game against the Mets. Bill Hands lost his first this season giving up 6 ERs over 8 innings and is looking for redemption today.

The Expos open the scoring early again today. Don Bosch lead of the 1st with a double and scored on Rusty Staub's single to left field. Later in the inning with 2 out and Staub on 1st Bob Bailey hits a 2 Run HR to left field to give the Expos a 3-0 lead.

Bill Stoneman goes 1-2-3 in the first inning but is met with a 1st pitch lead off HR by Ron Santo in the 2nd to make it 3-1 but the Expos get that back very quicky in the 3rd. Don Bosch again starts it all with a lead off double, Maury Wills bunts him to 3rd and Staub scores him with on a RBI ground out to short. Expos now lead 4-1.

Chicago battle back in the bottom of the 3rd, Don Young leads off with a double and moves to 3rd on a SAC bunt by pitcher Bill Hands. Young scored on a ground ball to second by Don Kessinger to make it 4-2 Expos.

The Expos get to Bill Hands again in the top of the 6th. Mack Jones opens the inning with a infield single. He moves to 2nd on Bob Baileys ground out high chopper to the 2nd baseman. After a walk to John Bateman to put runners on 1st and 2nd, Coco Laboy hits a double to left center fence that scores both Jones and Bateman and make the score 6-2 for the Expos.

The Cubs do get one back in the bottom of the 6th after Glenn Beckert hits a double off of Stoneman and later scores on a fielders choice to close the gap t0 6-3 in favour of the Expos, but the Expos do get it right back when Don Bosch again leads off an inning with a hit and scores on a Rusty Staub double and make it 7-3.

Jim Hickman does add a solo HR in the 7th off Stoneman, but that was it for the Cubs on this night as Jerry Robertson came on for the final two innings for the Expos. Rusty Staub added a triple against Jim Colborn in the 9th, but the was unable to score.

MTL 301 002 100 7 13 0
CHI 011 001 100 4 6 0

W: Bill Stoneman (1-0) L: Bill Hands (0-2) S: Jerry Robertson (1)
HR: MTL Bob Bailey (2) CHN Jim Hickman (3) Ron Santo (2)



American League:

Minnesota 5 California 3
W: Bob Miller (1-0) L: Tom Murphy (0-1) S: Al Worthington (1)
HR: None

Cleveland 3 Boston 0
W: Luis Tiant (2-0) L: Lee Strange (0-1)
HR: None

New York 7 Detroit 2
W: Stan Bahnsen (2-0) L: Joe Sparma (0-1)
HR NYA Bobby Murcer (3) Joe Pepitone (2) DET Willie Horton (2)

Oakland 4 Kansas City 3 (10)
W: Paul Lindblad (1-0) L: Moe Drabowsky (0-1)
HR: OAK Danny Cater (1)

Chicago 9 Seattle 1
W: Gary Peters (2-0) L: Marty Pattin (0-1)
HR CHA Pete Ward (2)

Washington 6 Baltimore 1
W: Joe Coleman (1-1) L: Jim Palmer (0-1)
HR BAL Elrod Hendricks (2)

Kansas City 4 Oakland 2
W: Wally Bunker (1-1) L: Jim Nash (0-2) S: Moe Drabowsky (1)
HR: OAK Mike Hershberger (1)

Baltimore 4 Washington 1
W: Tom Phoebus (1-0) L: Dick Bosman (0-1) S Eddie Watt (2)
HR BAL Brooks Robinson 2 (2) Frank Robinson (1)

National League

San Fransisco 9 San Diego 3
W: Gaylord Perry (1-0) L: Dick Selma (0-1)
HR SFN Jim Ray Hart (2)

Pittsburg 2 Philadelphia 0
W: Steve Blass (1-1) L: Rick Wise (1-1)
HR: None

Houston 2 Los Angeles 0
W: Don Wilson (1-0) L: Don Drysdale (0-2) S: Danny Coombs (2)
HR: None

St Louis 5 New York 0
W: Bob Gibson (2-0) L Tom Seaver (1-1)
HR STL Joe Hague (1) Bill White (1)

Atlanta 7 Cincinnati 3
W: Claude Raymond (1-0) L: Wayne Granger (0-1)
HR ATL Hank Aaron (5)

Players of the Day

Steve Blass Pittsburg Pirates 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks

Bob Gibson St Louis Cardinals 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks

Luis Tiant Cleveland Indians 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 7 BB, 6 Ks.