I think the Expos may have helped produce more Major League superstars in recent years than any other team (at least it seems that way). The team certainly had one of the best developmental systems in the majors. Too bad most of them went on to star for other teams.
My memories:
Wednesday night baseball. In the late 70's and early 80's the games were tape-delayed two hours. I used to catch the final score on Shaw (cable 4) and then bet my roommate for beers. I'd always give him just enough runs to cover the spread. I wish the lotto numbers worked this way. BTW, I confessed to my roommate a decade later. I had to buy beers that night (many, many beers).
Rusty Staub (Le Grand Orange) was my favorite baseball player when I was a kid. Although he wasn't with the Expos for very long, but he was immensely popular.
I also enjoyed watching Woody Fryman in the early 80's, an aging pitcher who became a very effective reliever when he was converted from a starter late in his career. Bill Lee had to be one of the most colorful players the Expos ever had.
Bill Gullickson's rookie year. Struck out 18 Cubs one night.
In 1981 (Blue Monday) I had Monday's off with the job I had. I wonder how many remember the 5th and deciding game was supposed to be on Sunday but it was rained out. A bunch of us from work gathered to watch the game and we were stunned when Monday hit his homerun late in the game off Steve Rogers to win it 1-0. My brother was a Dodgers fan and the only one in the room cheering. I'm surprised we didn't beat him up.
Later on, it was the strike in 1994 that finally turned me off (like so many others).
|