CNN/SI Preview: Montreal Expos
Posted: Wednesday March 03, 1999 03:23 PM
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White tied for the team lead in steals and was third in homers despite playing just 97 games. Peter Kirn/Allsport |
By Greg Auman, CNN/SI
It must hurt for Rondell White to think of the numbers he could put up in a
complete season in the majors. Twice in the last three years, he's seen a
promising year cut short by injury. In 1996, he missed three months with a
bruised kidney after diving for a line drive. Last summer, his season ended
in July when he fractured his right finger catching a fly ball. Between the
two, he missed 139 games.
Now he's healthy again, and after nearly being traded to the Yankees in
November, he's still an Expo and finds himself in the middle of a promising
young lineup. Along with outfielder Vladimir
Guerrero and third baseman Shane Andrews,
White gives Montreal its best power potential since the days of Andre
Dawson and Gary Carter. With a healthy White looking to best his
career-high of 28 home runs, the Expos could challenge the team's
single-season mark of 172 as well. 1998 Recap (65-97, 4th in NL
East)
The Expos started the season 0-7 and never made it back to .500, finishing
with the franchise's worst record in 22 years. After a horrid August
stretch in which they lost 16 of 18, they finished the year by winning 12
of their last 21.
The most promising part of the Expos' season was Guerrero, who set a team
record with 38 home runs while hitting .324 with 109 RBIs in only his
second season in the majors. In July, he hit more home runs than Mark McGwire or
Sammy Sosa
managed. 1999 Outlook
For once, the offseason talk in Montreal isn't about who left, but rather
who stuck around. Forget about Larry Walker,
Andres
Galarraga, Pedro
Martinez and Moises Alou --
this winter, the Expos' stars stayed north of the border. Manager Felipe
Alou turned down an offer from the Dodgers and the team spent $27 million
to lock up Guerrero.
A young pitching staff gained valuable experience last year - 14-game
winner Dustin
Hermanson is, at 26, old by Montreal standards. Carl Pavano, 23, came
from Boston in the Martinez trade, and Javier Vazquez, 22, is sure to
improve on his 5-15 rookie record. Super-reliever Ugueth Urbina,
25, finished with a miniscule 1.30 ERA with 30 saves.
This year could bring impressive rookie performances as well -- Michael
Barrett, 22, and Fernando Seguignol, 24, will battle for roster spots after
late call-ups last season.
Stadium and ownership problems leave the team's future uncertain -- groups
from Washington, D.C., and Virginia would love to import the Expos if a
deal can't be made. For 1999 at least, the Expos are in Montreal, and the
season could be a pleasant surprise. Alou sees comparisons between this
young team and the one that went 74-40 in 1994 -- and this time, there
won't be a strike to spoil things for Montreal.
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