Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Éric Gagné made what might (or might not) be his last ever trip to Montreal this week, and pitched in a blowout win to give the hometown fans one final look at probably the best pitcher ever to emerge from la belle province (with apologies to Claude Raymond). Gagné's emotional return will not be topped by a Larry Walker cameo -- the Cardinals are done in Montreal for the year.

It's useless to predict whether the Expos will be in Montreal again next season -- Major-League Baseball itself doesn't seem to know what will happen -- but if so, it's better to dwell on the good memories than the bad ones. Accordingly, and to fill the space created by an accidental double-posting of the game thread, who would you nominate to be part of the all-time Expos team? Any player nominated as an all-time 'Spo must have spent at least one full season with the rouge-blanc-et-bleu, and must qualify based on his Montreal performance. Here's one man's roster:

C Gary Carter
1B Andres Galarraga
2B Jose Vidro
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Tim Wallach
RF Larry Walker
CF Andre Dawson
LF Tim Raines

SP Pedro Martinez
SP Steve Rogers
SP Javier Vazquez
SP Dennis Martinez
SP Ken Hill

RP Jeff Reardon
RP John Wetteland
RP Mike Marshall
RP Ugueth Urbina

Posted by Jordan on Friday, August 27 2004 @ 05:05 AM EDT.

Je Me Souviens | 12 comments | Create New Account

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_Mylegacy - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 05:46 PM EDT (#39197) #

http://www.immune26.tv
Before the Jays, I'm going back now, back to when milk was delivered to your door, as was bread, and "chip wagons" prowled the neighbourhood... way back then, I loved the 'Spos.

Cromardie (sp?), can't beat your team above but I loved him, and that S*B Rick Monday hitting that *&%!!)* home run off Steve Rogers...it took a decade and Joe Carter's home run to stop me waking up at 2AM in a cold sweat. The *&%!!)* strike in '93 when the 'Spos were the best...

They was contenders I tell you, contenders...a bit of this, a bit of that...they coulda been Champs.

So long 'Spos... never Champs, but never chumps in my heart. Je me souviens.

_Nolan - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 06:01 PM EDT (#39198) #

Not sure who he'd kick off, but Vlad has to be in the outfield...or honourary dh...or something

_Marc in Edmonto - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 06:07 PM EDT (#39199) #

I agree about Guerrero. He broke so many Expos team records...

_Nigel - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 07:15 PM EDT (#39200) #

Warren Cromartie was also one of my favourtie Expos growing up. When I look at his career now I see him a little differently. For the first 5 years of his career '74 through '79 he was essentially a below average (quite a bit below in a few of those years) offensive player (very poor offensive corner outfielder) in the Reed Johnson mold - no walks, no power, decent average. Just like Johnson he became a fan favourite through hustle and good attitude such that his popularity greatly exceeded his talent. In the last 5 years of his career he turned himself into an above average offensive player (average corner outfielder) by learning to control the strikezone but his defense tailed off in those years. He kept the hustle and the good attitude throughout his career and I'll always remember that. Frankly, he just wasn't nearly the player I thought he was back then.

_mathesond - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 07:16 PM EDT (#39201) #

Let's not forget about Le Grand Orange. At the very least, make him a bench coach. And Bill Lee should be involved somehow - even if it's just to find a "natural substitute" for the turf. I think a second OF of Cromartie, Alou, and Guerrero would be comparable to the starting 3 - and that leaves Grissom on the 3rd-string

_Magpie - Friday, August 27 2004 @ 07:44 PM EDT (#39202) #

I think Vlad rates ahead of Walker based solely on Montreal performance. Maybe it's a toss up.

And well done Jim Tracy.

robertdudek - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 12:04 AM EDT (#39203) #

I'd take Bill Gullickson over Ken Hill in a cakewalk as the 5th starter. And if not Gullickson, then perhaps Jeff Fassero (who had some great years as a starter in Montreal). And I might go for Spike Owen or possibly Chris Speier over Cabrera (who I think is overrated both offensively and defensively). Ken Singleton was an awesome player during his brief time in Quebec - perhaps deserving of the 4th outfielder spot? Backup catcher would probably be Darrin Fletcher. Steve Kline might earn a spot as a lefty in the pen.

_Mick - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 12:32 AM EDT (#39204) #

If you're looking just at Montreal service time, two of the franchise's top 5 in innings pitched are not mentioned here -- and maybe #3 Bryn Smith doesn't deserve to be, but #5 (surprise!) Javier Vazquez seems like a natural late addition to this team.

And don't ask me why, but the first guy I think of when I think of the Expos is Tim Foli.

_Mick - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 12:36 AM EDT (#39205) #

Of course, Vazquez -- whose presence in the top 4 is still a surprise to me -- is mentioned already. Here's the Top 10:

1. Steve Rogers 2837.7
2. Dennis Martinez 1609.0
3. Bryn Smith 1400.3
4. Steve Renko 1359.3
5. Javier Vazquez 1229.3
6. Bill Gullickson 1186.3
7. Bill Stoneman 1085.3
8. Scott Sanderson 883.0
9. Jeff Fassero 850.0
10. Pedro Martinez 797.3

It really is Rogers then everybody else ... and just one half-decent start behind Pedro in IP, let's not forget the greatness of Charlie Lea.

_Rob - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 12:48 AM EDT (#39206) #

Mesdames et messieurs,

les champions de 1994.

Oui, Je me rappellerai les. Et M. Selig? Je le déteste. Ce sera un jour triste quand les Expos partent, mais au moins moi puis pratiquer mes qualifications françaises.

Apologies to anyone who is shaking their head right now. My French is very, very bad.

_Rob - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 12:50 AM EDT (#39207) #

I was almost tempted to put the link in the Homepage box and then say (CDMN), thus making even my shortforms French.

_Smiley - Saturday, August 28 2004 @ 01:21 AM EDT (#39208) #

My French is very, very bad.

It's borderline comprehensible. Could be worse.

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