1971...............................
Hard to argue that it wasn't a better season for the Expos if it was for those damned Cubs. The Expos and Cubs fought all season long but in the last 20 games Chicago slowly pulled away. The Cubs met their match in the World Series though, losing to the cross town White Sox.
Expos 1B
Cory Carlson started in all 100 games for the Expos hitting .331 with 10 HRs and 45 RBIs. He also made the NL All-Star team in 1971. C
Nate Samms saw his batting average slip to .238 but still managed 16 HRs and 58 RBIs. Concerned with SS
Kevin Parent's defensive short comings, the Expos acquired SS
Casey Steffan in 1970, the 31 year old proved he could hit as well going .271 with 3 HRs and 25 RBIs.
SP
Aaron Cregg led the way again going 13-3 with a 2.00 ERA in 21 starts. Again the starters were the strength of the team with
Mario Romero (8-10 2.78 ERA),
Trent Lyons (9-4 2.47 ERA)
Jason Umoh (7-6 2.99 ERA) and
Eric Stuart (12-4 2.99 ERA)
Key transactions in 1971.........................
RF
Harry Rosberg, Released
SS
Ryan Maynard, MR
Carl Mathieu trade with the Cardinals
3B
Gene Watkins, trade with the Reds
SS
Kevin Parent traded to the Pirates
RF
Billy Buchholz trade with the Blue Jays
CF
Willie Garcia, extension signed 5 years, $15.4 M
RF
Jason Barnett leaves as a free agent
SP
Trent Lyons leaves as a free agent
LF
Joe Woodbury, Free agent signing, 5 year, $11.0 M