1978 Montreal Expos season
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Montreal Expos
season was the 10th in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the National League East
with a record of 76-86, 14 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies
.
became the last pitcher to win at least 20 games in one season for the Expos.
was an annual mid-season exhibition between former Canadian
rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays
and the Expos. Named after former Prime Minister
Lester B. Pearson
, it was originally created to raise money for minor league baseball in Canada. In later years, it was incorporated into the interleague baseball schedule.
The series began in 1978, and Canadian Bill Atkinson
was the winning pitcher and scored the winning run for the Expos in the first-ever Pearson Cup game at the Olympic Stadium
on June 29.
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
season was the 10th in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
with a record of 76-86, 14 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies
1978 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1978 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 96th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their third straight National League East title with a record of 90-72, a game and a half over the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the Phillies defeated the Pirates in Pittsburgh on the next to last...
.
Offseason
- October 25, 1977: Bombo RiveraBombo RiveraJesus Manuel "Bombo" Rivera Torres is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. At the age of seven, his youth baseball manager started calling him “Bombo”, which meant “fly ball,” and the nickname stuck. Aside from baseball, Rivera also excelled in track and field. He ran the 100 meters and...
was purchased from the Expos by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - November 10, 1977: Darold KnowlesDarold KnowlesDarold Duane Knowles is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher, and the current pitching coach of the Florida State League's Dunedin Blue Jays...
was purchased by the Expos from the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. - December 7, 1977: Joe KerriganJoe KerriganJoseph Thomas Kerrigan is a former relief pitcher, manager and longtime pitching coach in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
, Gary RoenickeGary RoenickeGary Steven Roenicke is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Montreal Expos , Baltimore Orioles , New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves .-Early career:...
and Don StanhouseDon StanhouseDonald Joseph Stanhouse is a retired baseball pitcher who had a ten-year major league career from 1972–1980, 1982...
were traded by the Expos to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Rudy MayRudy MayRudolph May, Jr. is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos...
, Randy MillerRandy Miller (baseball)Randall Scott Miller is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Miller played for the Baltimore Orioles in and with the Montreal Expos in 1978.-External links:*...
, and Bryn SmithBryn SmithBryn Nelson Smith is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1981-1993....
. - January 10, 1978: Tony PhillipsTony PhillipsKeith Anthony Phillips is a former Major League Baseball utility player who had an 18-year career from to . He played regularly at three infield positions, primarily as a second baseman, but also had significant time as a shortstop and third baseman...
was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (10th pick) of the secondary phase of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft1978 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
. Player signed March 10, 1978. - March 29, 1978: Will McEnaneyWill McEnaneyWilliam Henry McEnaney is a former professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher over parts of 6 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of the 1975 and 1976 World Series champion "Big Red...
was traded by the Expos to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Tim Jones.
Regular season
During the season, Ross GrimsleyRoss Grimsley
Ross Albert Grimsley II is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Baltimore Orioles , Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians...
became the last pitcher to win at least 20 games in one season for the Expos.
Highlights
- May 5, 1978: Pete RosePete RosePeter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
of the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
became the 13th and youngest player in major league history to collect his 3,000th career hit3000 hit clubIn Major League Baseball , the 3,000 hit club is a term applied to the group of batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season hits in their careers. Cap Anson was the first to join the club on July 18, 1897, although his precise career hit total is unclear. Two players—Nap Lajoie and...
with a single off Expos pitcher Steve Rogers. - July 20, 1978: Shortstop Chris SpeierChris SpeierChristopher Edward Speier is a former Major League Baseball player and current bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted second overall in the January secondary 1970 Major League Baseball Draft.-Playing career:...
(hitting in the number eight slot) hit for the cycle at Olympic Stadium in MontrealMontrealMontreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in front of a crowd of 14,108. Speier is the second in Expos history to hit for the cycle. Pitcher Woodie FrymanWoodie FrymanWoodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
picked up the victory. Coincidentally, Fryman also got the victory when Expos shortstop Tim FoliTim FoliTimothy John Foli , nicknamed Crazy Horse, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels and New York Yankees from to...
hit for the cycle in 19761976 Montreal Expos seasonThe Montreal Expos season was the eighth season in the history of the franchise. The Expos finished in last place in the National League East with a record of 55-107, 46 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies...
. - July 30, 1978: The Expos set a team record (never broken while the team was in Montreal) in hits in a game when they picked up 28 as they beat the Atlanta Braves1978 Atlanta Braves season- Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Willie Montañez was traded by the Braves to the New York Mets as part of a four-team trade. Adrian Devine, Tommy Boggs, and Eddie Miller were traded by the Texas Rangers to the Braves. The Rangers sent Bert Blyleven to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Mets sent John...
by a score of 19 to nothing. Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
, Larry ParrishLarry ParrishLarry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
, and Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
led the way with 4 hits each. A crowd of 10,834 was on hand at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium. Pitcher Woodie Fryman picked up the victory.
First Pearson Cup
The Pearson CupPearson Cup
The Pearson Cup was an annual mid-season Major League Baseball exhibition game between former Canadian rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos. Named after former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, it was originally created to raise money for minor league baseball in Canada...
was an annual mid-season exhibition between former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and the Expos. Named after former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Lester B. Pearson
Lester B. Pearson
Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC, OM, CC, OBE was a Canadian professor, historian, civil servant, statesman, diplomat, and politician, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis...
, it was originally created to raise money for minor league baseball in Canada. In later years, it was incorporated into the interleague baseball schedule.
The series began in 1978, and Canadian Bill Atkinson
Bill Atkinson (baseball)
William Cecil Glenn Atkinson is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. The 5'7", 165 lb. right-hander was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent on October 4, , and he played for them from to ....
was the winning pitcher and scored the winning run for the Expos in the first-ever Pearson Cup game at the Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
on June 29.
Notable transactions
- May 20, 1978: Larry LandrethLarry LandrethLarry Robert Landreth was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in seven games for the Montreal Expos from 1976-1977.-External links:...
and Gerry HannahsGerry HannahsGerald Ellis Hannahs was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Montreal Expos from -.Hannahs played college baseball for the University of Arkansas.-External links:...
were traded by the Expos to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Mike GarmanMike GarmanMichael Douglas Garman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whom the Boston Red Sox selected with the third overall pick in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft...
. - June 6, 1978: 1978 Major League Baseball Draft1978 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
- Dave HostetlerDave HostetlerDavid Alan Hostetler is a retired first baseman/designated hitter who played for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was drafted by the Expos in the 4th round. - Bill MooneyhamBill MooneyhamWilliam Craig Mooneyham is a former major league baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.Mooneyham attended Merced Junior College. He was originally drafted in in the 1st round . He made his major league debut on April 19, 1986 with Oakland...
was drafted by the Expos in the 6th round, but did not sign. - Jim DeshaiesJim DeshaiesJames Joseph "Jim" Deshaies , also known as "JD", is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball and currently a TV commentator with the Houston Astros.- Major-league career :...
was drafted by the Expos in the 13th round, but did not sign. - Razor ShinesRazor ShinesAnthony Razor Shines is a retired baseball player who played first base for the Montreal Expos for four seasons, from 1983–1985 and 1987. He also served as a base coach for the New York Mets from 2009 to 2010....
was drafted by the Expos in the 18th round.
- Dave Hostetler
- June 9, 1978: The Expos traded a player to be named later to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Woodie FrymanWoodie FrymanWoodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
. The Expos completed the deal by sending Jerry WhiteJerry White (baseball)Jerome Cardell "Jerry" White is a former Major League Baseball player and current first base coach of the Minnesota Twins. He played for 11 seasons in the MLB, including stints with the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, and Saint Louis Cardinals...
to the Cubs on June 23.
Roster
| 1978 Montreal Expos | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 157 | 533 | 136 | .255 | 20 | 72 | |
| 2B | 159 | 658 | 166 | .252 | 3 | 43 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 59 | 12 | .203 | 0 | 5 | |
| 67 | 56 | 13 | .232 | 0 | 6 | |
| 73 | 15 | 4 | .267 | 0 | 5 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 263 | 20 | 11 | 3.05 | 84 | |
| 30 | 219 | 13 | 10 | 2.47 | 126 | |
| 27 | 144 | 8 | 10 | 3.88 | 87 | |
| 19 | 94.2 | 5 | 7 | 3.61 | 53 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9.2 | 0 | 1 | 2.79 | 7 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2.38 | 34 | |
| 29 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4.37 | 32 | |
| 44 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 3.84 | 44 | |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10.29 | 6 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
All-Stars
1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 49th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 11, 1978 at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California, home of the...
- Ross GrimsleyRoss GrimsleyRoss Albert Grimsley II is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Baltimore Orioles , Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians...
, reserve - Steve Rogers, reserve