1991 Montreal Expos season
Encyclopedia
After several winning seasons, the Expos faltered in 1991, winning only 20 of its first 49 games. Manager Buck Rodgers
was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells
.
Tommy Greene
. Greene was starting for only the second time in the season and 15th time in his major league career, and was pitching in place of Danny Cox
who had suffered a pulled groin in his last start. Greene became the first visiting pitcher to hurl a no-hitter in Montreal's history as the Phillies defeated the Expos, 2-0 before an Olympic Stadium
crowd of 8,833.
, the 13th in major league history, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
Buck Rodgers
Robert LeRoy "Buck" Rodgers is a former catcher, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he helmed three major league teams: the Milwaukee Brewers , Montreal Expos and California Angels , compiling a career won-lost mark of 784–773 .-Playing career:Rodgers attended Ohio Wesleyan...
was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells
Tom Runnells
Thomas William Runnells is the Bench Coach of the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball, and a former infielder, coach and manager in American Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
.
Offseason
- November 15, 1990: Scott ServiceScott ServiceScott David Service is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues between and . He also pitched one season in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons in .-External links:...
was signed as a free agent by the Expos. - December 3, 1990: Rolando Roomes was released by the Montreal Expos.
- December 23, 1990: Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, Jeff Carter, and a player to be named later were traded by the Expos to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Iván Calderón and Barry JonesBarry Jones (baseball)Barry Louis Jones is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during eight seasons at the major league level for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets. He was drafted by the Pirates in the 3rd round of the 1984 amateur draft...
. The Expos completed the deal by sending Mario Brito (minors) to the White Sox on February 15, 1991. - February 15, 1991: Ron HasseyRon HasseyRonald William Hassey is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Hassey began his career with the Cleveland Indians after the Indians drafted him in the 18th round of the 1976 MLB amateur draft...
signed as a free agent by the Expos. - February 27, 1991: Rick MahlerRick MahlerRichard Keith Mahler was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos...
signed as a free agent by the Expos. - March 30, 1991: Mike AldreteMike AldreteMichael Peter Aldrete is a former first baseman/outfielder in Major League Baseball.Aldrete was a four-year letterman at Stanford University...
was released by the Expos.
Regular season
On May 23, 1991, the Expos were no-hit by the Phillies'Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
Tommy Greene
Tommy Greene
Ira Thomas Greene , is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched from 1989 to 1995 and 1997. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.-Pro career:...
. Greene was starting for only the second time in the season and 15th time in his major league career, and was pitching in place of Danny Cox
Danny Cox
Danny Bradford Cox , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983 to 1988, the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991 to 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, and then the Toronto Blue Jays from 1993 to 1995, when he retired...
who had suffered a pulled groin in his last start. Greene became the first visiting pitcher to hurl a no-hitter in Montreal's history as the Phillies defeated the Expos, 2-0 before an 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...
crowd of 8,833.
- July 26, 1991: Mark Gardner pitched 9 innings of no-hit baseball against 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...
at Dodger StadiumDodger StadiumDodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. It was tied at nothing-all in the tenth; however, versatile utility man Lenny HarrisLenny HarrisLeonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
singled for the Dodgers breaking it up.
- July 28, 1991: In a 2–0 victory, Dennis MartínezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
pitched a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
against 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...
at Dodger StadiumDodger StadiumDodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. Final out recorded by Marquis GrissomMarquis GrissomMarquis Deon Grissom is a former Major League Baseball player. He excelled in baseball at Lakeshore High School, under the tutelage of baseball coach Mike Juenger. He currently resides in College Park, Georgia...
in center field off a lazy fly ball off the bat of Chris GwynnChris GwynnChristopher Karlton "Chris" Gwynn is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Career:...
. Dennis shut out the Dodgers in his previous meeting with them on April 30, 1991, the perfect game marked the 25th straight inning the Dodgers failed to score a run off him.
Opening Day starters
- Oil Can BoydOil Can BoydDennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Boyd played for the Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , and Texas Rangers .He batted and threw right-handed....
- Iván Calderón
- Delino DeShieldsDelino DeShieldsDelino Lamont DeShields is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who enjoyed a 13-year career with 5 teams. He is currently the manager for the Dayton Dragons in the Cincinnati Reds organization....
- Andrés GalarragaAndrés GalarragaAndrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
- Dave MartinezDave MartinezDavid Martinez is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1986 to 2001. He is currently the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Career:...
- Spike OwenSpike OwenSpike Dee Owen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , New York Yankees and California Angels...
- Gilberto ReyesGilberto ReyesGilberto Rolando Reyes Polanco is a former catcher in Major League Baseball.Reyes was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 15, 1980 and spent four seasons in the Dodgers farm system before making his major league debut in 1983...
- Larry WalkerLarry WalkerLarry Kenneth Robert Walker is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1989 through 2005, Walker played for the Montreal Expos , Colorado Rockies , and St. Louis Cardinals...
- Tim WallachTim WallachTimothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1991: Otis NixonOtis NixonOtis Junior Nixon, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a center fielder and switch-hitter who played from 1983 to 1999...
and Boi Rodriguez (minors) were traded by the Expos to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Jimmy KremersJimmy KremersJames Edward Kremers is a former catcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Atlanta Braves in 1990.-External links:...
and a player to be named later. The Braves completed the deal by sending Keith Morrison (minors) to the Expos on June 3. - June 3, 1991: 1991 Major League Baseball Draft1991 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
- Cliff FloydCliff FloydCornelius Clifford Floyd, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early years:Floyd was born to parents Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Sr. and Olivia Floyd. After spending 13 years as an only child, Floyd was joined by brother Julius...
was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (14th pick)ft. Player signed June 15, 1991. - Kirk RueterKirk RueterKirk Wesley Rueter is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, and is the winningest left-hander in San Francisco Giants history. Rueter played for the Montreal Expos and the Giants and made most of his career appearances as a starter. Rueter attended and played for Murray State...
was drafted by the Expos in the 18th round. Player signed June 21, 1991.
- Cliff Floyd
- June 4, 1991: Kenny Williams was selected off waivers by the Expos from the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe 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 ....
. - June 10, 1991: Rick MahlerRick MahlerRichard Keith Mahler was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos...
was released by the Expos. - July 15, 1991: Tim Burke was traded by the Expos to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Ron DarlingRon DarlingRonald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
and Mike ThomasMike Thomas (baseball)Mike Thomas is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Thomas was drafted in the twenty-third round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets. In 1991, he was traded along with Ron Darling to the Montreal Expos for Tim Burke. Later that year, he was selected in the rule 5 draft...
. - July 19, 1991: Scott ServiceScott ServiceScott David Service is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues between and . He also pitched one season in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons in .-External links:...
was purchased from the Expos by the Chunichi DragonsChunichi DragonsThe are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
. - July 21, 1991: Oil Can BoydOil Can BoydDennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Boyd played for the Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , and Texas Rangers .He batted and threw right-handed....
was traded by the Expos to 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...
for Jonathan HurstJonathan HurstJonathan Hurst is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets .-Early life and draft:...
, Joey EischenJoey EischenJoseph Raymond Eischen is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.-High school:Joey Eischen attended West Covina High School in West Covina, California and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis...
, and a player to be named later. The Rangers completed the deal by sending Travis Buckley (minors) to the Expos on September 1. - July 31, 1991: Ron DarlingRon DarlingRonald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
was traded by the Expos to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Matt Grott and Russell Cormier (minors).
The Perfect Game
On July 28, 1991, Dennis Martínez became the first Latin-born pitcher to throw a perfect gamePerfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
, the 13th in major league history, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The 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...
.
Scorecard
July 28, Dodger Stadium, Chávez Ravine, California| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Los Angeles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| W: Dennis Martínez L: Mike Morgan | ||||||||||||
| HRs: None, Attendance: 45,560. Length of game: 2:14. Umpires: HP: Larry Poncino, 1B: Bruce Froemming, 2B: Dana DeMuth, 3B: Greg Bonin |
||||||||||||
Roster
| 1991 Montreal Expos | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (bullpen) (third base) |
||||||
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 | 83 | 207 | 45 | .217 | 0 | 13 | |
| 1B | 107 | 375 | 82 | .219 | 9 | 33 | |
| 2B | 151 | 563 | 134 | .238 | 10 | 51 | |
| 3B | 151 | 577 | 130 | .225 | 13 | 73 | |
| SS | 139 | 424 | 108 | .255 | 3 | 26 | |
| LF | 134 | 470 | 141 | .300 | 19 | 75 | |
| CF | 148 | 558 | 149 | .267 | 6 | 39 | |
| RF | 137 | 487 | 141 | .290 | 16 | 64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | 168 | 35 | .208 | 0 | 15 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.60 | 29 | |
Award winners
- Marquis GrissomMarquis GrissomMarquis Deon Grissom is a former Major League Baseball player. He excelled in baseball at Lakeshore High School, under the tutelage of baseball coach Mike Juenger. He currently resides in College Park, Georgia...
, National League Stolen Base Leader, 76 - Dennis MartínezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
, National League ERA Champion, 2.39 - Dennis MartínezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
, Pitcher of the MonthPitcher of the MonthThe Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
, July
All-Stars
1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto...
- Iván Calderón, outfield, starter
- Dennis MartínezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
, reserve