The Sports Hiatus has hurt a lot of teams around the sports world, especially top teams in their respective leagues like the Lakers, Bucks and Bruins. But perhaps no team in Sports history has been hurt by a league hiatus more severely than the 1994 Montreal Expos.
The story of the Expos begins when they were founded in 1969, becoming the first international team in MLB history. But through their first 23 years, they weren’t very good and aside from an NLCS berth in 1981, had never reached the postseason.
But things took a turn for the better late in 1993, when the Expos won 30 of their last 39 games to finish with a 94-68 record, there best ever at the time. Unfortunately for Montreal, they were in a time where only the division winners made the postseason, which were the Phillies in the NL East, who the Expos saw go to the World Series only to lose on the iconic walk-off blast by Joe Carter lifting the rival Blue Jays to their second consecutive World Series title. So going into the 1994 season, the Expos were determined as ever to save their franchise, which had been suffering from financial-difficulties due to them being a small-market team and not very good overall, and win their country back as “Canada’s Team”.
That’s what happened, as led by legends Moises Alou, young rookies like Cliff Floyd , Hall of Famer Larry Walker, Hall of pitcher Pedro Martinez, All-Star pitcher Kenn Hill , All-star outfielder Marquise Grissom , All-Star closer John Wetland and All-Star catcher Darrin Flecher, the Expos rose to the top of the MLB standings under manager in Felipe Alou, and were 74-48 (.649 winning percentage) by August 12th, when a large number of players went on a “Labor Strike”, due to salary and arbitration issues, which ultimately led to the canceling the rest of the 1994 season. The Expos were on pace to finish with a whooping 105 wins, and with the schedule providing games against teams under .500 the rest of the way, you could argue they would’ve won more than their pace projected. But what makes this story crushing, is that not only did their core players go into to have success with other teams, but the Expos were never the same again and do to financial difficulties, couldn’t afford to keep their players that made it all happen, descending back into the MLB basement, before being bought out by the MLB in 2004, as they became who we know today, as the Washington Nationals who happen to be the defending World Series champions. So while the franchise did finally get their ring, you have to feel for the baseball fans in Montreal and the players, that were in full throat during this 1994 campaign which makes you wonder “What if the season continued?, would the Expos finally make it there year? Would the Yankees start their 90’s dynasty earlier than they actually did in 1996?” Today, we will find that out using the powers of whatifsports.com.
This was the first year of “The WildCard”, but only one Wildcard team from each league would make the postseason instead of two, as that didn’t happen until 2012.
So with our scenario being “What If they just skipped to the playoffs?” Here are our matchups: ALDS:
YANKEES (70-43) VS INDIANS (66-47):
The Yankees already had some of the guys from the eventual 90’s dynasty, like Bernie Willams, David Cone and Paul O’Neil and were already showing what they can do when the strike hit. Meanwhile, the Indians were known for their high-powered offense, led by Sandy Alomar, Kenny Loften and Manny Ramirez. They also had some great pitchers though, like Jack Morris and Charles Naggy. As we go through this simulation, you will find a lot of big names like these from these teams.
SERIES RESULTS:
GAME 1: Jim Kelly pitches a complete game, as the Yankees roll to a 7-1 win at Jacobs Field. It’s important to note, that the higher seed would start the LDS with two road games back then, before coming home for 3 straight home games in this best of 5 series.
GAME 2: In a slugfest, the Indians even up the series with a 13-9 victory. Cleveland jumped out to a 7-0 leaf after 3 innings, but the Yankees would rally and even the game at 9 led by a 3RBI game by Pat Kelly. However, a two run HR by Manny Ramirez in the 7th, and a 2 round double by Chris Naggy in the 8th, lifted the Indians to a 13-9 win. Though he wasn’t involved significantly in the late inning rallies, Sandy Almora had himself a 4RBI game for the tribe.
GAME 3: The series shifts to Yankee Stadium, as Charles Naggy pitches a complete game shutout, as the Indians defeat the Yankees 2-0 for a 2-1 series lead. Solo HR’s by Eddie Murray ( in the 3rd ) and Almora (In the 4th), off Yankees starter Melido Perez was all the offense the visitors needed.
GAME 4: The Indians complete the improbable upset, as Almora has himself a 2 HR,4RBI game including the go-ahead 2 run double in the 10th, that lifted the Indians to a thrilling 8-6 victory over the Yankees, that puts the Wild-Card Tribe into the ALCS with a 3-1 series victory.
WHITE SOX (67-46) VS RANGERS (52-62)
Yes you’re reading that right, the Rangers won the AL West despite being 10 games below .500, but they did have sluggers like Ivan Rodriguez and Will Clark on their team, so that works.
As for the White Sox, they were led by sluggers Robin Ventura , Tim Raines and Frank Thomas to slugged 38 bombs in the shortened 1994 season. Both teams weren’t really known for their pitching.
SERIES RESULTS:
GAME 1: The Rangers get off to a hot start taking a 7-1 lead after 5 innings, but the White Sox rally, aided by 9 runs in the last two innings for a 12-8 win in Arlington. Ron Karlovic rescued the Sox with a 5RBI game.
GAME 2: This time, it was Chicago who blew the leads the Rangers rallied down 5-0, with a 6 run 4th off Chisox starter Wilson Alvarez. But the White Sox would rally in the 9th, ultimately taking a 7-6 lead on a wild pitch from Texas closer Jay Howell. But putting the game in the hands of Roberto Hernandez, the Rangers rallied for the win, as Jose Cansino doubled home two run sixth one out in the bottom half of the 9th, lifting the Rangers to an 8-7 win evening the series.
GAME 3: It seemed like a “home laughter” through 6 with the Chisox boasting an 8-2 lead, but the Rangers rallied back with a 6 run 8th to tie it, hilighted by a Rutzy Greer grand slam.
Fortunately for the Chisox faithful, Joey Cora went deep for a solo shot in the 9th to give the White Sox a 9-8 victory for a 2-1 series lead.
GAME 4: The Rangers force a decisive game 5 with a 17-6 thumping led by Jose Canseno’s 4RBI game.
GAME 5: Credit to the Rangers for making their mark in this series, but the White Sox proved to be just too m much for them, as Frank Thomas went deep and had a 3RBI game in this one, while Jack McDowell tossed a complete game, as Chicago advanced to the ALCS to face Cleveland with a 6-3 victory.
NLDS:
EXPOS (74-48) VS BRAVES (68-46):
The “Team of the hour”, begins it’s title march against it’s division rival in the Atlanta Braves led by Fred Mcgriff on offense, while being anchored by the best pitching staff in baseball, with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Steve Ambry and John smelt as their front four. Hall of Fame worthy!
SERIES RESULTS:
GAME 1: The Expos get hammered, as Greg Maddux goes the distance and Jeff Fassero serves up 7 runs, as the Braves roll to a 7-1 game 1 win.
GAME 2: Down 4-2 in the 6th, Sean Berry went deep for a game-tying 2run HR giving the Expos life, but that was all for naught as Roberto Kelly singled to right, as the speedy Deion Sanders raced home for a walk-off victory that gave the Braves a 2-0 series lead, as the series shifts to Canada.
GAME 3: Just like that, the historic season is over, as the Braves complete the sweep with a 7-3 win. Tom Glavine goes 7.2 innings of 3 run ball for the win. The Expos don’t get their “Championship” and the Braves advance to the NLCS. However, I will still resume the simulation for all of you fans who want to see a winner, or just happen to be fans of these other playoff teams.
REDS (66-48) VS DODGERS (58-56)
The Reds boasted a strong lineup of Barry Larkin, Bret Boone, Tony Fernandez and Hal Morris. They were led by their ace Jose Riijo on the pitching side. As for the Dodgers, they had young versions of Mike Piazza, Delino Deshilds, Hennry Rodriguez and Ramon Martinez, while also having old versions of Brett Butler and Oriel Hershiser.
SERIES RESULTS:
GAME 1: Down 4-2, the Dodgers would rally to force extras, as Mike Piazza blooped in 2 runs to tie it in the 8th. The game would head to the 11th, before Erik Kerros sent the digital fans home happy with a walk-off RBI single.
GAME 2: John Smiley goes 8 innings of 2 run ball with 11 K’s, as the Reds evened up the series with a 5-2 win, wrestling home-field advantage as the series shifts to Cincinnati.
GAME 3: Oriel Hershiser turns back the clock, as he goes 7 innings of 1 run ball lifting the dodgers to a 4-1 win and a 2-1 series lead.
GAME 4: The Cincinnati bullpen was the story in this one, as they went 4 innings of 1 run ball in relief of Tom Browning for a 6-3 win, to force a decisive game 5 for a trip to the NLCS.
GAME 5: Jose Rejjio goes for a complete game shutout, while Brett Boone and Reggie Sanders each drive in 2 runs, as the Reds advance to the NLCS with a 6-0 thumping over the Dodgers.
ALCS:
WHITE SOX (67-46) VS INDIANS (66-49):
Both teams used a steady diet of small ball and pitching in their round 1 victories, so it will be interesting what will happen here as both teams battle for at the time would’ve been their franchises first-ever World Series berth.
GAME 1: Omar Vizquel and Manny Ramirez combines for a 5 hit, 4RBI, 3 runs scored performance, as the Indians roll past the White Sox for an 11-4 game 1 road win.
Game 2: Wilson Alvarez goes 8 innings of 2 run ball as the WhiteSox even up the series with a 6-2 victory.
GAME 3: The series shifts to Clevland, where Jack Macdowell returns the favor going 8 innings of 1 run ball for a 4-1 Chisox win, giving them a 2-1 series lead.
GAME 4: The game was relatively close through 7 innings, as the Indians held a 4-0 lead and Jason Grimsley turned in 6 scoreless innings for the Tribe. But the Indians blew the doors wide open in the 8th, with a 7 run frame for an 11-0 beatdown of Chicago. What’s interesting is that no homers found in that 8th inning, and Jose Mesa went 3 scoreless innings locking down the save.
GAME 5: Good thing this isn’t Little League, or else the game would’ve been called after 3 innings and we would’ve all missed an in credible comeback. The Indians picked up right where they left off in gam 4, racing to a commanding 10-0 lead, and headed to the 9th still in the drivers seat up 11-3, before the white Sox exploded for an 8 run, 9 hit frame, (With 3 runs coming with 2 outs) to even the game at 11. But in the bottom half of the 9th, Omar Vizquel punched a walk-off single to left, giving the Indians a 12-11 victory and a 3-2 series lead, heading back to Chicago.
GAME 6: Clinging to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 8th, The White Sox brought in closer Roberto Hernandez, hoping he could notch the 8 out save and save the bullpen for a potential Game 7, after Willy Hernandez delivered 7.1 innings of scoreless baseball. But that move didn’t air to well, as Hernandez’s dreadful postseason continued, when Jim Throne went deep for a 2. run HR to tie it and and Carlos Bagera singled home Kenny Loften for a 3-2 Indians lead. Cleveland would take that into the 9th, as they handed the ball to their closer Jeff Russel tasting a World Series berth, but Roberto Ventera had other plans, shocking the tribe with a walk-off 2 run blast for a 4-3 White Sox victory to force a Game 7.
GAME 7: Once again, Jack McDowell came up big, as he pitched a complete game, while the White Sox took an early lead and never looked back for an 8-1 win to punch their ticket to their first-ever World Series, leaving Clevland to think how close, but so far they were from a World Series Berth of their own.
NLCS:
REDS (66-48) VS BRAVES (68-46)
If the Reds want to dethrone the Braves, they must outmatch them. The key here for Cincinnati is they have home-field advantage despite not having a better record than Atlanta, because they won their division in the regular season.
GAME 1: In a back and forth extra- innings affair, the Reds take game 1 6-5 in 11 innings, after a Hal Morris walk-off single.
GAME 2: This was another back and forth affair, with the teams trading 4 run 1st innings. The Reds would take an 8-5 lead into the 8th inning, but a 2 run triple by Morgan Kelly, and a “Singles parade” for Atlanta in the 9th, produced two more runs for a 9-8 lead. However, the Reds would respond as a Jeff Brunson RBI single, and a Jacob Brumfield line drive to left, lifted the Reds to a 10-9 win and a 2-0 series lead.
GAME 3: Greg Maddux comes to the rescue, as his complete game shutout gets the Braves back in the series with a 2-0 win.
GAME 4: Roberto Kelly derives in 4, as the Braves even the series with an 11-5 win.
GAME 5: Barry Larkin drives in 3, as the Reds take an early lead and make it stand up for a 7-6 win and a 3-2 series lead heading home.
GAME 6: It seemed inventible that the Braves would head to the World Series after they took a 6-0 lead, but a furious comeback by Atlanta, gave them a 7-6 lead.Down 8-7 in the 9th, the Reds indeed punched their ticket to the World Series, when James Brumfield singled home the tying-run, and Kevin Mitchell scored on a wild pitch, to lift the Reds to the World Series with a 9-8 win.
WORLD SERIES: REDS(66-48) VS WHITE SOX (67-46)
Let’s see which high-powered offense can take the crown.
GAME 1: This series opener had extras, with the Reds going away with an 8 run 11th, for an 11-3 game 1 win. Kevin Mitchell made his mark with a 4RBI game.
GAME 2: What pitching duel this was, as Jason Bere and John Smiley locked horned. The Reds found themselves up 1-0 in the 9th, on a on a Kevin Mitchell 5th inning blast, but Smiley went one inning too long, as the White Sox rallied for a thrilling 2-1 win, when Larry Johnson singled home the tying run, before Tim Raines ended it with a line drive single to right to even the series.
GAME 3: Taking a page out of Yankees vlogger Joez’s Mcfly’s rulebook, the Reds proved that “The sac fly is underrated”, as they rallied down 3-2 in the 8th for a 4-3 win, on sac fly’s by Brett Boone and Ryan Sanders.
GAME 4: Reggie Sanders channels his inner Reggie Jackson by blasting 3HR’s to go along with 5RBIs, as the Reds moved one game closer to a World Series title, with a 9-5 win that gives them a commanding 3-1 series lead.
GAME 5: in a Pitchers duel, Erik Henson went 6 innings of 2 run ball, while the Reds bullpen went 3 scoreless innings for a 3-2 win, wrapping up the World Series. Congrats Cincinnati! 26 years later, you are the 1994 World Series Champions!
Ryan Sanders earned World Series MVP honors.
PS: THANKS EVERYONE FOR READING AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED! HOPE TO DO MORE STUFF LIKE THIS IN THE FUTRE. SHOUTOUT TO BASEBALLREFERENCE.COM , WHATIFSPORTS.COM AND YOUTUBE.COM IN TERM OF THE RESEARCH!
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