OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Baseball Comes to Montreal -- A Saga of the Expos

mjj55409 · 01-25-2019, 11:00 AM

1971 was another long summer in Montreal, culminating in another 44-118 season. The primary starters:

C - Donald Hickey (.234/.273/.333, 5 hr, 27 rbi) and Fran Healy (.250/.343/.315, 3 hr, 26 rbi). 21 year old Hickey was an 8th round draft pick in 1969. 24 year old Healy was acquired from the Yankee organization at the end of May along with P Bill Stafford (4-8, 3.88) in exchange for OF Jesus Alou, C Felix DeLeon, and pitching prospect Chip Lang. Healy has a good glove and a surprising amount of speed for a catcher.

1B - Doug Howard (.296/.339/.463, 14 hr, 49 rbi) and Tommie Reynolds (.230/.294/.343, 6 hr, 42 rbi). Howard was a 23 year old rookie in 1971. Drafted in the 5th round in 1969, there is some hope that he'll settle into the 1B role.

2B - Jim Lefebvre (.240/.298/.353, 8 hr, 46 rbi) and Tommie Reynolds. Lefebvre was traded to the Mets in July for OF Jim Breazeale.

3B - Deron Johnson (.217/.274/.410, 24 hr, 69 rbi). After two good years, Johnson was hampered by injury and never really got going in 1971.

SS - Rick Burleson (.278/.328/.349, 6 hr, 76 runs). Rookie Burleson was given the job in spring training over veteran defensive stalwart Gene Alley (.203/.286/.407, 5 hr, 16 rbi). Burleson acquitted himself well--winning the Rookie of the Month award in May and was selected to the 1971 all-star game.

LF - Walt Williams (.255/.290/.362, 8 hr, 53 runs, 22 stolen bases). Williams also regressed in 1971 after a couple of good seasons as the lead-off bat.

CF - Curt Flood (.247/.311/.276), Richard David (.226/.304/.300, 3 hr, 30 runs), and Jim Breazeale (.263/.312/.405, 7 hr 26 rbi). Flood was traded in July to Atlanta for OF Robert Cole. David was 3rd round selection in the 1970 June draft. Breazeale was acquired from the Mets in the Lefebvre trade.

RF - Walt Williams and Robert Cole (.208/.337/.361, 5 hr, 11 rbi). Cole is a 21 year old who was drafted in the 5th round of the 1968 June draft by Atlanta.

Pitching staff:

Al Downing (5-7, 3.28, 131 innings)
Donald Hagen (8-21, 5.03, 259 innings)
Michael Willis (9-18, 4.72, 244 innings)

Downing was traded to the Braves in July for a PTBNL. Hagen and Willis are valiant innings eaters, but neither of them should be in a major league rotation.

On the Farm

P Joaquin Andujar (4-3, 2.58, 66 innings, 96 strikeouts for rookie league Jamestown; 5-7, 2.73, 112 innings, 139 strikeouts for West Palm Beach (A)
C Jim Essian (.265/.358/.458 in 21 games at AAA, .242/.335/.430 in 43 games at AA).
OF Jim Rice (.316/.397/.489, 7 hr, 39 rbi in 55 games for West Palm Beach (A))

June 1971 Draft

1. P Burt Hooton, Milwaukee (did not sign)
2. IF George Brett, San Diego
3. OF Jim Rice, Montreal
4. P Rick Rhoden, Kansas City
5. OF Sixto Lezcano, Minnesota
6. OF Dan Ford, Washington
7. IF Mike Hargrove, Pittsburgh
8. P Mike Cadwell, Cincinnati
9. P Pete Broberg, Detroit (did not sign)
10. OF Tony Armas, Atlanta

News from Around the League

In the NL East, the young New York Mets (97 wins) topped the Phillies (96 wins). And in the West, the surprising Atlanta Braves (108 wins) coasted to their first post-season appearance since 1957.

Billy Williams (.358/.440/.593, 36 hr, 135 rbi) of the Cubs was elected NL MVP. Tom Seaver (23-4, 1.95, 281 innings) of the Mets took home the NL Cy Young. Atlanta's Charlie Spikes (.341/.422/.632, 20 hr, 8 sb) was the NL Rookie of the Year.

In the AL, the New York Yankees (107 wins) and the California Angels (113 wins) were once again the class of the league, easily winning their respective divisions.

The Yankees Bobby Murcer (.320/.404/.619, 35 hr, 117 rbi) won his 2nd consecutive AL MVP. Jim McGlothlin (22-4, 2.05, 293 innings) of the Angels was named the AL Cy Young winner. Minnesota's Greg Luzinski (.319/.403/.560, 40 hr, 121 rbi) won the AL Rookie of the Year.

In the post-season, both New York clubs advanced to the World Series with 3-2 league championship series wins. The Mets won this first subway series 4-3.

Hank Aaron (ATL) hit his 500th HR and Willie McCovey (SF) hit his 300th HR. Milt Pappas (BAL) and Bob Gibson (STL) each picked up his 200th win. Gibson also reached the 2500 strikeout mark. Roberto Clemente (PIT) collected his 2500th hit.

01-25-2019, 11:00 AM	#6
mjj55409 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,166	1971 Recap 1971 was another long summer in Montreal, culminating in another 44-118 season. The primary starters: C - Donald Hickey (.234/.273/.333, 5 hr, 27 rbi) and Fran Healy (.250/.343/.315, 3 hr, 26 rbi). 21 year old Hickey was an 8th round draft pick in 1969. 24 year old Healy was acquired from the Yankee organization at the end of May along with P Bill Stafford (4-8, 3.88) in exchange for OF Jesus Alou, C Felix DeLeon, and pitching prospect Chip Lang. Healy has a good glove and a surprising amount of speed for a catcher. 1B - Doug Howard (.296/.339/.463, 14 hr, 49 rbi) and Tommie Reynolds (.230/.294/.343, 6 hr, 42 rbi). Howard was a 23 year old rookie in 1971. Drafted in the 5th round in 1969, there is some hope that he'll settle into the 1B role. 2B - Jim Lefebvre (.240/.298/.353, 8 hr, 46 rbi) and Tommie Reynolds. Lefebvre was traded to the Mets in July for OF Jim Breazeale. 3B - Deron Johnson (.217/.274/.410, 24 hr, 69 rbi). After two good years, Johnson was hampered by injury and never really got going in 1971. SS - Rick Burleson (.278/.328/.349, 6 hr, 76 runs). Rookie Burleson was given the job in spring training over veteran defensive stalwart Gene Alley (.203/.286/.407, 5 hr, 16 rbi). Burleson acquitted himself well--winning the Rookie of the Month award in May and was selected to the 1971 all-star game. LF - Walt Williams (.255/.290/.362, 8 hr, 53 runs, 22 stolen bases). Williams also regressed in 1971 after a couple of good seasons as the lead-off bat. CF - Curt Flood (.247/.311/.276), Richard David (.226/.304/.300, 3 hr, 30 runs), and Jim Breazeale (.263/.312/.405, 7 hr 26 rbi). Flood was traded in July to Atlanta for OF Robert Cole. David was 3rd round selection in the 1970 June draft. Breazeale was acquired from the Mets in the Lefebvre trade. RF - Walt Williams and Robert Cole (.208/.337/.361, 5 hr, 11 rbi). Cole is a 21 year old who was drafted in the 5th round of the 1968 June draft by Atlanta. Pitching staff: Al Downing (5-7, 3.28, 131 innings) Donald Hagen (8-21, 5.03, 259 innings) Michael Willis (9-18, 4.72, 244 innings) Downing was traded to the Braves in July for a PTBNL. Hagen and Willis are valiant innings eaters, but neither of them should be in a major league rotation. On the Farm P Joaquin Andujar (4-3, 2.58, 66 innings, 96 strikeouts for rookie league Jamestown; 5-7, 2.73, 112 innings, 139 strikeouts for West Palm Beach (A) C Jim Essian (.265/.358/.458 in 21 games at AAA, .242/.335/.430 in 43 games at AA). OF Jim Rice (.316/.397/.489, 7 hr, 39 rbi in 55 games for West Palm Beach (A)) June 1971 Draft 1. P Burt Hooton, Milwaukee (did not sign) 2. IF George Brett, San Diego 3. OF Jim Rice, Montreal 4. P Rick Rhoden, Kansas City 5. OF Sixto Lezcano, Minnesota 6. OF Dan Ford, Washington 7. IF Mike Hargrove, Pittsburgh 8. P Mike Cadwell, Cincinnati 9. P Pete Broberg, Detroit (did not sign) 10. OF Tony Armas, Atlanta News from Around the League In the NL East, the young New York Mets (97 wins) topped the Phillies (96 wins). And in the West, the surprising Atlanta Braves (108 wins) coasted to their first post-season appearance since 1957. Billy Williams (.358/.440/.593, 36 hr, 135 rbi) of the Cubs was elected NL MVP. Tom Seaver (23-4, 1.95, 281 innings) of the Mets took home the NL Cy Young. Atlanta's Charlie Spikes (.341/.422/.632, 20 hr, 8 sb) was the NL Rookie of the Year. In the AL, the New York Yankees (107 wins) and the California Angels (113 wins) were once again the class of the league, easily winning their respective divisions. The Yankees Bobby Murcer (.320/.404/.619, 35 hr, 117 rbi) won his 2nd consecutive AL MVP. Jim McGlothlin (22-4, 2.05, 293 innings) of the Angels was named the AL Cy Young winner. Minnesota's Greg Luzinski (.319/.403/.560, 40 hr, 121 rbi) won the AL Rookie of the Year. In the post-season, both New York clubs advanced to the World Series with 3-2 league championship series wins. The Mets won this first subway series 4-3. Hank Aaron (ATL) hit his 500th HR and Willie McCovey (SF) hit his 300th HR. Milt Pappas (BAL) and Bob Gibson (STL) each picked up his 200th win. Gibson also reached the 2500 strikeout mark. Roberto Clemente (PIT) collected his 2500th hit. __________________ FABL -- Chicago Chiefs Last edited by mjj55409; 01-25-2019 at 03:22 PM. Reason: Orlando Cepada only hit 400 HR once in his career.