1994 World Series Champion Montreal Expos

With the start of the 2009 World Series tonight, let's take a trip back in time...to the 1994 World Series.

Ah, what a series it was. The powerful New York Yankees versus the lesser know, but more powerful, Montreal Expos.

Experts worldwide gave the Yankees far more, and the Expos far less, credit than they deserved.

While many called for a Yankees white-wash of the 'Spos...in the words of ESPN's Chris Berman...that's why they play the games.

GAME 1 New York @ Montreal - After a blistering rendition of O Canada by Celine Dion, the series kicks off with a bang. Bernie Williams homers off Expos starter Pedro Martinez to lead off the game and the rout is on...not quite. Martinez settles down and proceeds to limit the Yankees to 3 more hits while striking out 12 over 8 innings. Moises Alou and Larry Walker go back to back in the 6th off Jimmy Key and the Expos take game one 2-1.

GAME 2 New York @ Montreal - Yankees pinch hitter Jim Leyritz steps to the plate with the bases loaded in the top of the 7th and rips a curveball from Jeff Shaw for a double down the left field line. Alou boots the ball letting all 3 runs score. Alou somewhat redeems himself with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 7th but the damage is done. Yankees win 5-4.

GAME 3 Montreal @ New York - Rain delays the start of the game for 1 hour but that time apparently gives Yankee pitcher Jim Abbott time to figure out each Expo hitter. He baffles the Spos for 6 innings, yielding one hit. Fighting a blister on his left index finger, he yeilds to Paul Gibson. Bad move. Gibson hits Mike Lansing with his first pitch and things just get worse from there. The Expos bat around in the 7th, hilighted by an upper deck homer by Larry Walker and the Expos win going away 7-1.

GAME 4 Montreal @ New York - With no stolen bases in the first three games, both teams go nutty on the basepaths. The Expos swipe four (Grissom, Walker, Lou Frazier with two) while the Yankees take six off of a bewildered Darin Fletcher (Williams and Luis Polonia 2 each, Mike Gallego, Randy Velarde). The Yankees play some "NL small ball," get a monstorous homerun from Danny Tartabull and teriffic pitching from Jimmy Key to take game four, 4-0.

GAME 5 Montreal @ New York - The series is tied two games a piece and tensions run high. In the 6th inning, after Cliff Floyd launches a 3 run bomb, surprise game five starter Scott Kamineicki throws behind Wil Cordero and both benches empty. No punches are thrown but both sides are warned. In the bottom of the inning, Expos starter Ken Hill drills Bernie Williams and is ejected. The Expos bullpen can't get it done and gives up four runs in the inning. Yankees win 6-4.

GAME 6 New York @ Montreal - The series returns to La Belle Province and no one is happier than Youppi! The Expos mascot has to be carted off the field on a stretcher in the top of the first after he falls off the Yankees dugout while dancing with excitement. Despite the bad omen, the Expos bring their A game and crush 4 home runs (Alou, Grissom, Rondell White, Sean Berry) while Jeff Fassero, Mel Rojas and John Wetteland silence the Yankees bats. Expos win 9-0.

GAME 7 New York @ Montreal - Nothing like a game seven! The Big O is jammed to the rafters and Pedro Martinez and Jimmy Key each take to the mound for the third time in the series. Both pitchers struggle with command early, but stellar defence (including an sensational rug-burn inducing sliding catch by Marquis Grissom) keep the score close. They both turn things over to the bullpen. As has been the case all year, Mel Rojas and John Wetteland are unhittable, while the Yankees bullpen can't get it done. Expos backup catcher Tim Spehr pulls a line drive homer down the right field line in the bottom of the 8th of Bob Wickman. Then, soon to be named World Series MVP Moises Alou follows with his third home of the series to ice it. Expos win the game 4-3, the series 4-3, and their first, and only, World Series.

*Editors note: The preceding games actually did take place, in BrockTalk's mind only. DREAM ON BUDDY!

Speaking of DREAM ON...if you've never seen this piece by ESPN...you can thank me now. Simply amazing.



BrockTalk

Toughen Up

Just a short observation about the ALCS...this just really bothered me.

The game one temperature was around 7C with 17 MPH winds. Game two was around the same, with a little more rain.

I'll give it to the players, it was chilly. But was there REALLY a need for the ski masks and ear warmers that some of the players were wearing?

I mean, grow a pair, and toughen up. I'm talking to you Chone Figgins, Erick Aybar Robinson Cano and Mark Texiera. The way the were dressed you would have thought the temp was about -20C.

Dudes, have some pride! Man up!

I didn't see Derek Jeter wearing something ridiculous on his head. Vladdy Guererro didn't need anything. CC Sabathia and John Lackey seemed to be fine.

Gee, I can't understand why baseball players get a bad rap for being soft. I really can't (dripping with sarcasm).

Lets hope the Dodgers and Phillies don't feel the need to rock the ridiculous gear we saw in New York. But baseball being baseball, I'm sure we'll see someone wimping out.

The only thing worse than ball players in those goofy getups, is the soccer players that wear gloves!! ARGH!

I'm sure all the players that were part of the Ice Bowl in Green Bay (-25C, windchill -44C), the Freezer Bowl in Cincinatti (-23C, windchill -51C) and the Heritage Classic in Edmonton (-18C, windchill -30C) are mocking those MLB players today.

Now those temps will cause some significant shrinkage!



BrockTalk

In Praise of DJ

Whether you are a fan of the New York Yankees or not, you have to admit, Derek Jeter is probably one of the best baseball players in the history of the game.

Yes...in the history of the game.

After last nights three hit performance, Jeter is tied with legendary Lou Gehrig, for the most hits in the history of the Bronx Bombers, each with 2721.

With one more hit Friday night against Baltimore, Jeter will have more hits in a Yankee uniform than any other player in the history of that storied fanchise.

More than Yogi Berra, Don Mattingly, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle, even Babe FREAKIN' Ruth!

Just think about that for a second.

Derek Jeter has more hits as a Yankee than ANY of those men.

Along the way, DJ has done it all with class, respect for the game, without anything to 'help his performance', and all while playing Gold Glove defence at shortstop.

Plus, this season he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Many are saying that Jeter will win this year's American League MVP award.

Who knows what he'll put up in the post-season? It's a safe bet that he WILL do something amazing when the calendar turns to October.

Derek Jeter is simply an unbelieveable player that, like Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, will go down as one of, if not the best player, their sport has ever seen.

I can't wait for Friday!

CLICK HERE for a great commentary by ESPN's Tim Kurkjian on Jeter.

Derek, it's about time for everyone to praise you.



BrockTalk

Under Pressure

When Scott Gomez, Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta signed with the Montreal Canadiens during the off-season, they signed on with one of, if not the, most storied franchise in the NHL.

With one stroke of the pen, they also signed on to go up against the angriest, most short-tempered, hardened group of people on the planet...the Montreal press.

For a player in Montreal, the only thing that makes them more nervous than having the Boston Bruins "house on skates" Milan Lucic coming at them in the corner like a runaway train, is having 83 year old Montreal Gazette columnist Red Fisher storming up to them after the game.

Lets face it, some players flourish playing hockey in a place like Phoenix, because you might get one reporter asking you questions after a game. Whereas in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver...anywhere in Canada...you get almost as many reporters in your locker room, as there are fans in the building in Phoenix.

What about the other sports? Which places have the most ruthless media? What cities have scribes and mugs that put so much pressure on a player, that they can break that player down?

MLB - New York. Hands down. Sure the Mets get lots of coverage but if you end up with the New York Yankees, you better be ready to perform at an elite level from day one of spring training or the press will bury you. Numerous players have had their slumps magnified by the New York press so much, that they just can't recover. Ask Chuck Knoblauch.

NBA - As of today, Cleveland. The Cavaliers have all-world Lebron James. They've just added Shaquille O'Neal. They are SUPPOSED to be the team that can win it all...but continue to let the fans (and media) down. Anything less than a championship will be considered a colossal failure...and the Cleveland press will let everyone know it.

NFL - Since I've already mentioned New York (actually, the New York press could be mentioned for ALL the sports)...lets say Buffalo (ya I know they're in New York too.) What else do the Buffalo press have to cover? The Sabres? The Bills are the lifeblood of Buffalo and the four straight Super Bowl losses have turned the Buffalo media into a wild pack of dogs that are out for blood. It's a perfect fit for Terrell Owens!

I won't even get into international soccer because that takes things to a completely different level. But the common understanding is that if you play soccer internationally for Italy, you better have a good psychiatrist because the Italian media will drive you bonkers.

What are your thoughts? Which cities have the most ruthless media? Where are the players under the most pressure?



BrockTalk