The 1979 Montreal Expos: A Season of Arrival

Chapter 1: A New Dawn in Montreal

The 1970s had been a learning decade for the Montreal Expos. Their first ten years brought plenty of expansion-team growing pains — last-place finishes, constant roster turnover, and a revolving door of managers. But by 1979, the organization had accumulated a crop of talented young stars ready to break through.

With Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Larry Parrish, Ellis Valentine, and Warren Cromartie in the lineup, plus Steve Rogers and Bill Lee on the mound, the Expos entered the season not as lovable underdogs, but as legitimate contenders. Olympic Stadium, gleaming and massive, provided the perfect stage for what was about to unfold.

Chapter 2: April — Fast Out of the Gate

The Expos opened 1979 determined to show they were no longer pushovers. They posted a 15–7 record in April, fueled by strong starting pitching and timely hitting.

• Steve Rogers dominated early, establishing himself as one of the league’s best pitchers.

• Gary Carter showed why he was already a fan favorite, throwing out baserunners and hitting clutch home runs.

By the end of April, Montreal was tied for first in the NL East with the Philadelphia Phillies — a sign that this was going to be a summer-long battle.

Chapter 3: May–June — Building Belief

As the weather warmed, so did the Expos. From May through June, Montreal’s offense clicked into high gear. Andre Dawson became the team’s most dynamic threat, combining power and speed.

On June 3rd, the Expos hosted the Phillies in front of a raucous Olympic Stadium crowd. Ellis Valentine crushed a three-run homer, and Montreal won 6–3, sending a message to the rest of the division. The Expos weren’t just hanging around — they were fighting for first place.

By mid-June, Montreal was 13 games over .500, and the city was buzzing with baseball fever.

Chapter 4: July — Olympic Stadium Comes Alive

The All-Star break confirmed what fans already knew: Montreal had arrived. Gary Carter and Andre Dawson both represented the Expos in the Midsummer Classic, showcasing their star power on a national stage.

July also brought some of the most dramatic games of the year. In a series against the Cubs, Larry Parrish hit two late-inning homers in separate games, both sealing victories. The crowds were massive — Olympic Stadium became one of the loudest ballparks in baseball.

Montreal finished July at 62–42, just one game behind the division-leading Pirates. Fans began to dream about October.

Chapter 5: August — The Pennant Race Heats Up

August was a rollercoaster. The Expos traded punches with the Pirates and Phillies, with the standings shifting almost daily. Montreal won a crucial series against Philadelphia, highlighted by a Gary Carter walk-off single that sent 50,000 fans into a frenzy.

But the Pirates, led by Willie Stargell and their “We Are Family” chemistry, refused to break. Pittsburgh’s experience kept them neck and neck with Montreal.

By the end of August, the Expos were 81–54, trailing Pittsburgh by only one game. The dream of a pennant was alive.

Chapter 6: September — The Heartbreak

September tested the Expos’ youth and resilience. The pennant race came down to Montreal and Pittsburgh, with the Phillies fading.

• Steve Rogers pitched brilliantly in several must-win games.

• Andre Dawson finished with 25 HRs, 92 RBIs, and 35 steals, cementing himself as the team’s leader.

• Larry Parrish blasted 30 homers for the season, providing thump in the middle of the lineup.

But in head-to-head battles, the Pirates’ experience proved too much. A late September series in Pittsburgh swung the race: Stargell and Dave Parker delivered big hits, while Montreal’s bats went cold.

When the dust settled, the Expos finished 95–65, just two games behind the Pirates, who went on to win the World Series.

Chapter 7: Legacy of the ’79 Expos

Though they fell short, the 1979 Expos redefined baseball in Montreal.

• Attendance soared past 2 million, one of the best marks in baseball.

• The Expos proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best.

• Young stars blossomed: Carter, Dawson, Parrish, and Valentine formed a nucleus that would define the franchise for years.

In hindsight, many fans believe if Montreal had squeaked past Pittsburgh, they could have gone all the way. The Pirates were champions, but the Expos were right there — baseball’s brightest young team, one step away from glory.

Epilogue

The 1979 season was more than wins and losses — it was Montreal’s coming of age. For the first time, “Nos Amours” weren’t underdogs or also-rans. They were contenders, capable of capturing the imagination of an entire country.

Though heartbreak defined the ending, hope defined the journey. And for a fan base still waiting for October baseball, 1979 remains the year the Montreal Expos truly arrived.