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

mjj55409 · 01-28-2019, 03:20 PM

The work and waiting involved in building an expansion club may be finally paying off. The Expos had their first winning season in 1976, finishing at 85-77, which was good for 3rd place in the National League, behind only the two division winners.

Primary Lineup

C - Jim Essian (.225/.312/.313, 3 HR, 41 RBI), Tim McCarver (.265/.319/.314), and Fran Healy.

1B - Jim Breazeale (.210/.261/.360, 13 HR, 41 RBI) and Fran Healy (.230/.310/.286, 1 HR, 32 RBI). After veteran catcher Tim McCarver was claimed off of waivers from the Yankees in the spring, Healy was given a chance to play some at 1B, as Breazeale continued to disappoint. This didn't work out, as Healy struggled defensively and his bat is over-exposed as a starter.

2B - Rick Burleson (.305/.361/.398, 9 HR, 26 2B, 18 SB, 107 R). Burleson had a slow start to the season as he was dealing with wrist problems. But once he was healthy, he heated up greatly, hitting .401/.452/.576 in September/October. He's made himself into one of the better 2B in the league. He hasn't won any Gold Gloves, but that will be true as long as Bobby Grich is playing 2B for the Pirates.

3B - Mike Eden (.251/.334/.327, 24 2B, 14 SB, 67 R). Eden's bat regressed to league average. His lack of power is becoming more concerning at 3B.

SS - Roy Smalley (.310/.397/.533, 31 2B, 27 HR, 100 RBI). Smalley has solidified his role in the middle of the lineup along side Rice. His SS defense is worrisome, however. There has been some discussion about using Eden as more a utility player, moving Smalley to 3B, and re-inserting Tim Foli (.234/.265/.320, 2 HR, 19 RBI) at SS.

LF - Jim Rice (.349/.401/.586, 35 2B, 7 3B, 32 HR, 116 RBI, 104 R). It's difficult to follow a triple-crown season, but Rice had another season just as good, although without the triple-crown. He was, however, named NL MVP again, and he won his 3rd straight Gold Glove.

CF - Orlando Alvarez (.303/.357/.444, 28 2B, 15 HR, 67 RBI). The search for a CF would appear to be over, at least for the moment.

RF - Dave Collins (.331/.414/.478, 23 2B, 12 3B, 24 SB, 65 R). Collins missed a couple of months with concussion symptoms after a collision at 2B.

Pitching

Over the winter, young pitcher Alan Griffin had an accident and fractured his spine. A serious injury, but he's been making good progress, and there is a chance that we'll see him on the mound next spring. Dennis Eckersley was called up in late June. Jack Fisher was a waiver claim from Atlanta in 1975. Al McBean was a waiver claim from the Mets also in 1975. Both had dealt with some injuries last season.

Frank Bork (12-14, 3.58, 239 IP).
Jack Fisher (15-8, 2.72, 235 IP).
Dick Ruthven (13-12, 4.35, 215 IP).
Dennis Eckersley (6-3, 3.12, 110 IP).
Al McBean (6-3, 22 SV, 3.12, 72 IP).

On the Farm

P Mike Krukow (12-12, 4.36, 212 IP for Denver (AAA); 1-1, 2.67, 30 IP for Montreal)
C Butch Wynegar (.290/.359/.395, 8 HR, 74 RBI for West Palm Beach (A)).
C Bruce Benedict (.325/.421/.463, 6 HR, 42 RBI for Lethbridge (Rookie)).
OF Hosken Powell (.322/.409/.490, 15 HR, 91 RBI for Quebec City (AA)).
IF Alan Bannister (.316/.381/.422, 26 2B, 30 SB, 56 R, 91 G for Denver (AAA)).
OF Miguel Dilone (.265/.324/.331, 54 SB, 71 R for Quebec City (AA)).

1976 June Draft

1. P Mike Scott, Philadelphia
2. P Jack Morris, Detroit
3. IF Alan Trammell, Los Angeles
4. OF Rickey Henderson, Boston
5. C Mike Scioscia, Cubs
6. C Ron Hassey, Milwaukee
7. IF Wade Boggs, Montreal (did not sign)
8. P Floyd Bannister, Minnesota
9. P Rick Honeycutt, St. Louis
10. IF Tom Herr, White Sox

Tough break missing our 1st round selection, but we just couldn't convince Boggs to forgo college and sign with us. We do like the look of catching prospect Bruce Benedict, whom we selected in round 2.

News From Around the League

After a couple of seasons missing out, the Mets (104 wins) got back on top in the NL East, finishing well in front of Montreal (85 wins). Atlanta (92 wins) won the West over Cincinnati (83 wins) and Houston (83 wins).

As already mentioned, Montreal's Jim Rice won his 2nd NL MVP, and New York's Jon Matlack (18-10, 1.97, 224 IP) won his 2nd NL Cy Young. Eddie Murray (.280/.360/.480, 27 HR, 101 RBI) of Cincinnati was NL Rookie of the Year.

The New York Yankees (who else?) won the AL East with 107 wins, finishing well in front of Cleveland (82 wins). The Angels (92 wins) were back on top in the West, ahead of Oakland (88 wins) and Minnesota (87 wins).

Minnesota's Sixto Lezcano (.358/.449/.595, 24 HR, 32 SB, 105 R) was named the AL MVP. Lezcano was drafted in the same draft (1971) as Rice. New York's Jim Kaat (22-5, 2.53, 270 IP) won his 2nd AL Cy Young. Oakland's Claudell Washington (.293/.352/.447, 14 HR, 25 SB) was the AL Rookie of the Year.

In the post-season, the Yankees beat the Angels 3-1, and the Braves upset the Mets 3-1. The Yankees then won the World Series 4-2. New York has won 5 straight and 6 of the last 7. Atlanta has lost to New York in 3 of the past 4 World Series.

Jim Kaat (NYY) won his 300th game, while teammate Mel Sottlemyre won his 200th. Dick Ellsworth (CHI) and Ray Culp (PHI) also each won their 200th game. Ray Culp collected his 2500th strikeout, while Tom Seaver (NYM) picked up his 2000th strikeout. Jim Ray Hart (SF) got both his 300th HR and his 2000th hit. Rod Carew (DET), Dick Allen (PHI), and Pete Rose (SD) are the other new members of the 2000 hit club.

01-28-2019, 03:20 PM	#12
mjj55409 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,166	1976 Recap The work and waiting involved in building an expansion club may be finally paying off. The Expos had their first winning season in 1976, finishing at 85-77, which was good for 3rd place in the National League, behind only the two division winners. Primary Lineup C - Jim Essian (.225/.312/.313, 3 HR, 41 RBI), Tim McCarver (.265/.319/.314), and Fran Healy. 1B - Jim Breazeale (.210/.261/.360, 13 HR, 41 RBI) and Fran Healy (.230/.310/.286, 1 HR, 32 RBI). After veteran catcher Tim McCarver was claimed off of waivers from the Yankees in the spring, Healy was given a chance to play some at 1B, as Breazeale continued to disappoint. This didn't work out, as Healy struggled defensively and his bat is over-exposed as a starter. 2B - Rick Burleson (.305/.361/.398, 9 HR, 26 2B, 18 SB, 107 R). Burleson had a slow start to the season as he was dealing with wrist problems. But once he was healthy, he heated up greatly, hitting .401/.452/.576 in September/October. He's made himself into one of the better 2B in the league. He hasn't won any Gold Gloves, but that will be true as long as Bobby Grich is playing 2B for the Pirates. 3B - Mike Eden (.251/.334/.327, 24 2B, 14 SB, 67 R). Eden's bat regressed to league average. His lack of power is becoming more concerning at 3B. SS - Roy Smalley (.310/.397/.533, 31 2B, 27 HR, 100 RBI). Smalley has solidified his role in the middle of the lineup along side Rice. His SS defense is worrisome, however. There has been some discussion about using Eden as more a utility player, moving Smalley to 3B, and re-inserting Tim Foli (.234/.265/.320, 2 HR, 19 RBI) at SS. LF - Jim Rice (.349/.401/.586, 35 2B, 7 3B, 32 HR, 116 RBI, 104 R). It's difficult to follow a triple-crown season, but Rice had another season just as good, although without the triple-crown. He was, however, named NL MVP again, and he won his 3rd straight Gold Glove. CF - Orlando Alvarez (.303/.357/.444, 28 2B, 15 HR, 67 RBI). The search for a CF would appear to be over, at least for the moment. RF - Dave Collins (.331/.414/.478, 23 2B, 12 3B, 24 SB, 65 R). Collins missed a couple of months with concussion symptoms after a collision at 2B. Pitching Over the winter, young pitcher Alan Griffin had an accident and fractured his spine. A serious injury, but he's been making good progress, and there is a chance that we'll see him on the mound next spring. Dennis Eckersley was called up in late June. Jack Fisher was a waiver claim from Atlanta in 1975. Al McBean was a waiver claim from the Mets also in 1975. Both had dealt with some injuries last season. Frank Bork (12-14, 3.58, 239 IP). Jack Fisher (15-8, 2.72, 235 IP). Dick Ruthven (13-12, 4.35, 215 IP). Dennis Eckersley (6-3, 3.12, 110 IP). Al McBean (6-3, 22 SV, 3.12, 72 IP). On the Farm P Mike Krukow (12-12, 4.36, 212 IP for Denver (AAA); 1-1, 2.67, 30 IP for Montreal) C Butch Wynegar (.290/.359/.395, 8 HR, 74 RBI for West Palm Beach (A)). C Bruce Benedict (.325/.421/.463, 6 HR, 42 RBI for Lethbridge (Rookie)). OF Hosken Powell (.322/.409/.490, 15 HR, 91 RBI for Quebec City (AA)). IF Alan Bannister (.316/.381/.422, 26 2B, 30 SB, 56 R, 91 G for Denver (AAA)). OF Miguel Dilone (.265/.324/.331, 54 SB, 71 R for Quebec City (AA)). 1976 June Draft 1. P Mike Scott, Philadelphia 2. P Jack Morris, Detroit 3. IF Alan Trammell, Los Angeles 4. OF Rickey Henderson, Boston 5. C Mike Scioscia, Cubs 6. C Ron Hassey, Milwaukee 7. IF Wade Boggs, Montreal (did not sign) 8. P Floyd Bannister, Minnesota 9. P Rick Honeycutt, St. Louis 10. IF Tom Herr, White Sox Tough break missing our 1st round selection, but we just couldn't convince Boggs to forgo college and sign with us. We do like the look of catching prospect Bruce Benedict, whom we selected in round 2. News From Around the League After a couple of seasons missing out, the Mets (104 wins) got back on top in the NL East, finishing well in front of Montreal (85 wins). Atlanta (92 wins) won the West over Cincinnati (83 wins) and Houston (83 wins). As already mentioned, Montreal's Jim Rice won his 2nd NL MVP, and New York's Jon Matlack (18-10, 1.97, 224 IP) won his 2nd NL Cy Young. Eddie Murray (.280/.360/.480, 27 HR, 101 RBI) of Cincinnati was NL Rookie of the Year. The New York Yankees (who else?) won the AL East with 107 wins, finishing well in front of Cleveland (82 wins). The Angels (92 wins) were back on top in the West, ahead of Oakland (88 wins) and Minnesota (87 wins). Minnesota's Sixto Lezcano (.358/.449/.595, 24 HR, 32 SB, 105 R) was named the AL MVP. Lezcano was drafted in the same draft (1971) as Rice. New York's Jim Kaat (22-5, 2.53, 270 IP) won his 2nd AL Cy Young. Oakland's Claudell Washington (.293/.352/.447, 14 HR, 25 SB) was the AL Rookie of the Year. In the post-season, the Yankees beat the Angels 3-1, and the Braves upset the Mets 3-1. The Yankees then won the World Series 4-2. New York has won 5 straight and 6 of the last 7. Atlanta has lost to New York in 3 of the past 4 World Series. Jim Kaat (NYY) won his 300th game, while teammate Mel Sottlemyre won his 200th. Dick Ellsworth (CHI) and Ray Culp (PHI) also each won their 200th game. Ray Culp collected his 2500th strikeout, while Tom Seaver (NYM) picked up his 2000th strikeout. Jim Ray Hart (SF) got both his 300th HR and his 2000th hit. Rod Carew (DET), Dick Allen (PHI), and Pete Rose (SD) are the other new members of the 2000 hit club. __________________ FABL -- Chicago Chiefs Last edited by mjj55409; 01-28-2019 at 03:21 PM.