1996 | mebf

1996 Montreal Expos

Manager: Felipe Alou (88-74) 88-74, Finished 2nd in NL East

Attendance: 1,616,709 (11th of 14)

Ballpark: Big O.

Scores: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MON/1996-schedule-scores.shtml

Highlights/ Events: Terrible event on April 1 - Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Montréal Expos is postponed, along with the rest of the games scheduled for that day. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled. (-Wikipedia)

With key contributions from rookies form the farm system and players acquired in trades the Expos make a surprising run for the playoffs. With Atlanta Braves secure in first place the Expos would battle for the National League Wild Card until the final week of the season. The Expos would end up falling two games short with a solid 88-74 record. However, the joy was short lived as more stars are let go following the season.

July 11, 1996: Jeff Juden was selected off waivers by the Montreal Expos from the San Francisco Giants.

July 30, 1996: Kirk Rueter was traded by the Montreal Expos with Tim Scott to the San Francisco Giants for Mark Leiter.