June 15, 1993- Philadelphia Phillies at Montreal Expos
Greene Grows the Lilacs
An Introduction...
I’m the guy who knows exactly where he was the moment that Cory Lidle and Bobby Abreu were
traded during the 2006 season. With the chance of the season dwindling and only the KBO to salve
my baseball addiction, I made the decision to go back in time. Thanks to the internet and more
specifically the saint who runs the ClassicPhilliesTV youtube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWb6dGkCnKBlrQLJAjZ-4-w), I’m going back and watching the
1993 Phillies, day for day just like if it was 27 years ago (but with the internet). To reminisce about the
legends of John Kruk, Mitch Williams, and Darren Daulton, mixing the knowledge we have now, with
jokes of how dumb things were then. Follow along for the month of June and if it works out, I’ll continue
to the month of July.
traded during the 2006 season. With the chance of the season dwindling and only the KBO to salve
my baseball addiction, I made the decision to go back in time. Thanks to the internet and more
specifically the saint who runs the ClassicPhilliesTV youtube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWb6dGkCnKBlrQLJAjZ-4-w), I’m going back and watching the
1993 Phillies, day for day just like if it was 27 years ago (but with the internet). To reminisce about the
legends of John Kruk, Mitch Williams, and Darren Daulton, mixing the knowledge we have now, with
jokes of how dumb things were then. Follow along for the month of June and if it works out, I’ll continue
to the month of July.
Where We Last Left Our Intrepid Heroes (and Villains)
The Phillies are riding high on a six game win streak after sweeping a four game series against the Mets,
and winning the first game of the series against the Montreal Expos last night. Last night, Terry
Mulholland went 8 ⅓ innings and Jim Eisenreich hit a grand slam to lift the Phillies to a 10-3 win and
improve their road record to 22-8 and 44-17 overall.
and winning the first game of the series against the Montreal Expos last night. Last night, Terry
Mulholland went 8 ⅓ innings and Jim Eisenreich hit a grand slam to lift the Phillies to a 10-3 win and
improve their road record to 22-8 and 44-17 overall.
Put down your Tik Toks children and gather round to hear the tale about the other team that played in
Canada. Long before Bryce Harper wore a Walgreen’s W on his hat, the Washington Nationals used
to play in the majestic Great White North in the Quebecois city of Montreal. With their super cool logo,
goofy uniforms, and loveable Phanatic knockoff Youppi, the Expos were steady rivals with the Phils
through the 70s and 80s as the likes of Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Rusty Staub were strolling
The Big O (Olympic Stadium). In the 90’s would come the crisp new uniforms and the monsters known
as Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, and Pedro Martinez. But sadly, with fun players came one of the
worst owners in the history of sports (particularly if you take racism out of it) Jeffrey Loria, who through
underhanded methods that still remain mysterious, was able to move the Expos to Washington, then
immediately trade the franchise for the Florida Marlins (who he would also ruin before selling to Derek
Jeter). The Montreal Expos come into the game today with a record of 33-30 and sit 14 ½ games out
of first place. They are currently scrapping for 2nd place with the St. Louis Cardinals. According to the
Expos book*, GM Dan Duquette had the organization’s eyes fixed on the 1994 season when the Expos
would peak as a team design, and so far in the ‘93 season everything was going according to plan.
Montreal boasts one of the best young outfields in baseball with Larry Walker, Moises Alou, and
Marquis Grissom which Sports Illustrated dubbed as a, “superlatively stoogean triumvirate: Larry,
Mo, and Surly” based on Marquis Grissom’s dispute with management. Their biggest hindrance as a
team is a rotation devoid of talent behind their number 1 starter Dennis Martinez, sadly for Phillies fans
though reinforcements are on the way.
Canada. Long before Bryce Harper wore a Walgreen’s W on his hat, the Washington Nationals used
to play in the majestic Great White North in the Quebecois city of Montreal. With their super cool logo,
goofy uniforms, and loveable Phanatic knockoff Youppi, the Expos were steady rivals with the Phils
through the 70s and 80s as the likes of Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Rusty Staub were strolling
The Big O (Olympic Stadium). In the 90’s would come the crisp new uniforms and the monsters known
as Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, and Pedro Martinez. But sadly, with fun players came one of the
worst owners in the history of sports (particularly if you take racism out of it) Jeffrey Loria, who through
underhanded methods that still remain mysterious, was able to move the Expos to Washington, then
immediately trade the franchise for the Florida Marlins (who he would also ruin before selling to Derek
Jeter). The Montreal Expos come into the game today with a record of 33-30 and sit 14 ½ games out
of first place. They are currently scrapping for 2nd place with the St. Louis Cardinals. According to the
Expos book*, GM Dan Duquette had the organization’s eyes fixed on the 1994 season when the Expos
would peak as a team design, and so far in the ‘93 season everything was going according to plan.
Montreal boasts one of the best young outfields in baseball with Larry Walker, Moises Alou, and
Marquis Grissom which Sports Illustrated dubbed as a, “superlatively stoogean triumvirate: Larry,
Mo, and Surly” based on Marquis Grissom’s dispute with management. Their biggest hindrance as a
team is a rotation devoid of talent behind their number 1 starter Dennis Martinez, sadly for Phillies fans
though reinforcements are on the way.
Today’s Game
It is Tuesday, June 15th, 1993 in the Great White North at Olympic Stadium which was built in 1976 as
part of a grand plan of then mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau to lure the Olympics to Canada. It was
designed to be the main locale for the Olympics, but also to host events, concerts, the Expos and the
CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. Today’s broadcast is once again on WPHL 17 with Harry Kalas, Richie
“Whitey” Ashburn, and Chris “Wheels” Wheeler. Wheels was infamous in most Philadelphia households
for constantly talking as if he had ever played baseball, while never once actually putting on cleats.
The former traffic reporter would continue on as the lead color guy after the deaths of Whitey and Harry,
until he was finally released from the organization in 2014. He was adequate at his job.
part of a grand plan of then mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau to lure the Olympics to Canada. It was
designed to be the main locale for the Olympics, but also to host events, concerts, the Expos and the
CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. Today’s broadcast is once again on WPHL 17 with Harry Kalas, Richie
“Whitey” Ashburn, and Chris “Wheels” Wheeler. Wheels was infamous in most Philadelphia households
for constantly talking as if he had ever played baseball, while never once actually putting on cleats.
The former traffic reporter would continue on as the lead color guy after the deaths of Whitey and Harry,
until he was finally released from the organization in 2014. He was adequate at his job.
On the Mound:
Here’s a fun way to start, these are the statistics through two months of a season for three Philadelphia
Phillies starters:
Phillies starters:
Player A: 8-3 93 IP, 2.03 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 7.45Ks/9,
Player B: 7-2 82.2 IP, 2.83 ERA, 2.55 FIP, 8.93Ks/9
Player C: 8-0 81.2 IP, 1.87 ERA, 2.31 FIP, 7.82Ks/9
Player A is 2010 Roy “Doc” Halladay, where he would go on to throw a perfect game, a no hitter in the
playoffs, and win the Cy Young.
playoffs, and win the Cy Young.
Player B is 2011 Cole Hamels, where he would go on to accumulate a career high in WAR and finished
a personal best of 5th in Cy Young voting.
a personal best of 5th in Cy Young voting.
Player C is 1993 Tommy Greene, who has 35 starts left in his career.
Tommy Greene is currently sitting at 8-0 but is coming off his worst start of the season, where he allowed
4 runs on 5 hits over 1 ⅔ innings. Two years previously on May 23rd 1991, while replacing an injured
pitcher, Tommy Greene made out with destiny at the bar and took her back to his hotel room (™ Bill
Simmons) when he threw a no-hitter against the Expos, the first visiting pitcher to do so in Olympic
Stadium. He is currently first in the NL in ERA, opponent’s batting average, and strikeouts per nine
innings, and have never given up a run in Montreal.
4 runs on 5 hits over 1 ⅔ innings. Two years previously on May 23rd 1991, while replacing an injured
pitcher, Tommy Greene made out with destiny at the bar and took her back to his hotel room (™ Bill
Simmons) when he threw a no-hitter against the Expos, the first visiting pitcher to do so in Olympic
Stadium. He is currently first in the NL in ERA, opponent’s batting average, and strikeouts per nine
innings, and have never given up a run in Montreal.
On the mound for the Expos is Brian “don’t call me Bucky” Barnes (this is an especially funny joke
when you remember that arguably the best pitcher in Expos history is Steve Rogers), a former All
American from Clemson University. On the year he is 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA, this is only his 5th start
of the year after beginning the season in the bullpen. He would only start 3 more games in his career.
when you remember that arguably the best pitcher in Expos history is Steve Rogers), a former All
American from Clemson University. On the year he is 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA, this is only his 5th start
of the year after beginning the season in the bullpen. He would only start 3 more games in his career.
Watch for yourself at:
The Line-up
CF Lenny Dykstra (Scored a run in 9 straight games)
SS Mariano Duncan
1B John Kruk (Leads the league in Walks and OBP)
C Darren Daulton
LF Pete Incavigla (7th in NL in RBIs 44 RBIs with 46 hits)
RF Wes Chamberlain
SS Kim Batiste
2B Mickey Morandini (.327 Batting average in last 12 games)
P Tommy Greene
Highs (Hopes) and Lows
High- Top First: Dykstra starting the engine
Dykstra continues his march toward .300 with a double to right field over the head of Larry Walker,
“They keep playing Lenny shallow, and he keeps hitting it over their heads” Whitey throws in. Two
batters later, Daulton knocks Dykstra in on a single so that the Dude extends his streak of scoring a
run to 10 games. 1-0 Phillies
“They keep playing Lenny shallow, and he keeps hitting it over their heads” Whitey throws in. Two
batters later, Daulton knocks Dykstra in on a single so that the Dude extends his streak of scoring a
run to 10 games. 1-0 Phillies
Low- Bottom First: Dykstra’s Defensive Deficiencies
Dykstra continues to disappoint in center field defensively as he commits his third error of the month.
This time he has trouble collecting a single to centerfield and allows Mike Lansing to get to third. To
make it worse, Dykstra tried to get Lansing at third which allowed Marquis Grissom to advance to
second on the play as well. Larry Walker then singled in the two base runners before getting knocked
in himself by “Mr. Pee Hands” Moises Alou. After one inning it 3-1 Expos.
This time he has trouble collecting a single to centerfield and allows Mike Lansing to get to third. To
make it worse, Dykstra tried to get Lansing at third which allowed Marquis Grissom to advance to
second on the play as well. Larry Walker then singled in the two base runners before getting knocked
in himself by “Mr. Pee Hands” Moises Alou. After one inning it 3-1 Expos.
High- Kim Continues to Impress
The Phillies would get one run back with a squeaking fielder’s choice by Mariano Duncan with the bases
loaded in the 2nd, but no more. In the 3rd, Kim Batiste would once again come up big with a 110
kilometer (Canadia Metrics!) drive to the left field wall for a triple that would score, a just entered into the
game for an injured Wes Chamberlain, Jim Eisenreich. 3-3 Tie.
loaded in the 2nd, but no more. In the 3rd, Kim Batiste would once again come up big with a 110
kilometer (Canadia Metrics!) drive to the left field wall for a triple that would score, a just entered into the
game for an injured Wes Chamberlain, Jim Eisenreich. 3-3 Tie.
Low- Greene turns Brown
Like guacamole in the sun, Tommy Greene’s near perfect beginning of the season has begun to spoil.
After two quick outs to start the 5th, Green would give up a double to Marquis Grissom and intentional
walk Larry Walker to get to “some guy I’ve never heard of” (direct quote from my notes, real name Frank
Bolick) who promptly singled home Grissom for his 17th RBI of the season, he would get 7 more in 1993
and 9 more in his career. Moises Alou would follow that with a double down the line scoring another run
and ending Tommy Greene’s day after 4 ⅔ innings. 5-3 Expos.
After two quick outs to start the 5th, Green would give up a double to Marquis Grissom and intentional
walk Larry Walker to get to “some guy I’ve never heard of” (direct quote from my notes, real name Frank
Bolick) who promptly singled home Grissom for his 17th RBI of the season, he would get 7 more in 1993
and 9 more in his career. Moises Alou would follow that with a double down the line scoring another run
and ending Tommy Greene’s day after 4 ⅔ innings. 5-3 Expos.
Low- Leaving Men on Base
The Phillies set a new season high of 15 men left on base in the contest. Twice they had the bases
loaded with one out and were able to only squeeze out one run out of those opportunities. Even Jim
Eisenreich and Kim Batiste were not immune to the strand flu, as they came up with the bases loaded
in the 7th where Eisie (“you don’t think he can hit a grand slam two days in a row right?” asks Whitey)
struck out and Kim Batiste got robbed of extra bases on a great stop by 3rd basemen Sean Berry.
loaded with one out and were able to only squeeze out one run out of those opportunities. Even Jim
Eisenreich and Kim Batiste were not immune to the strand flu, as they came up with the bases loaded
in the 7th where Eisie (“you don’t think he can hit a grand slam two days in a row right?” asks Whitey)
struck out and Kim Batiste got robbed of extra bases on a great stop by 3rd basemen Sean Berry.
Low- Other Phillies Relievers
Jim Fregosi has stuck to a tried and true method of relying on only three relief pitchers in high pressure
situations, Larry Andersen, David West, and Mitch Williams. Charlie Manuel would replicate this process
to great success from 07-09 with JC Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge/Brett Myers. This process
when done well can easily shrink games for your starting pitchers and allow the bullpen to know their
roles and when to be ready. What also results is the rest of the bullpen being terrible, usually due to
never being used. When relief pitchers are going 7-10 days without pitching, they tend to entropy.
Which is not the best way for pitchers to stay ready for when called upon in an emergency (like when
the other three relievers are completely tapped out). For example, Fregosi brings in Tim Mauser in a
close game(thanks to a Kruk RBI in the 6th inning) , and Mauser promptly gives up a double, two walks,
and a single, and suddenly the one run game becomes a three run game. Jose DeLeon, pitching for
the 2nd time since May 19th, then follows Mauser up by giving up another run. 8-4 Expos
situations, Larry Andersen, David West, and Mitch Williams. Charlie Manuel would replicate this process
to great success from 07-09 with JC Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge/Brett Myers. This process
when done well can easily shrink games for your starting pitchers and allow the bullpen to know their
roles and when to be ready. What also results is the rest of the bullpen being terrible, usually due to
never being used. When relief pitchers are going 7-10 days without pitching, they tend to entropy.
Which is not the best way for pitchers to stay ready for when called upon in an emergency (like when
the other three relievers are completely tapped out). For example, Fregosi brings in Tim Mauser in a
close game(thanks to a Kruk RBI in the 6th inning) , and Mauser promptly gives up a double, two walks,
and a single, and suddenly the one run game becomes a three run game. Jose DeLeon, pitching for
the 2nd time since May 19th, then follows Mauser up by giving up another run. 8-4 Expos
Wild Rides
Montreal Expos closer John Wetteland who recently (in 1993) told the press “The Phillies will fold” was
brought in during the 8th inning and pre-empted any real chance for a wild ride from the Phillies. Kruk
led off the 8th with a single, but that’s all the Phillies could muster in the 2 frames they went against
the Expos Closer. The Expos earn Brian Barnes the 8-4 win, it is the last game he will ever win in Major
League Baseball..
brought in during the 8th inning and pre-empted any real chance for a wild ride from the Phillies. Kruk
led off the 8th with a single, but that’s all the Phillies could muster in the 2 frames they went against
the Expos Closer. The Expos earn Brian Barnes the 8-4 win, it is the last game he will ever win in Major
League Baseball..
Words of Wisdom from Harry and Whitey (and sometimes Wheels)
“You notice on the appeals, a lot of umpires now aren’t making a safe sign or a strike sign, unless it’s a
strike, but on the no-swing they don’t do anything. Which probably saves them a little booing from some
of the fans.”- Whitey
strike, but on the no-swing they don’t do anything. Which probably saves them a little booing from some
of the fans.”- Whitey
“They raised the price on the metro again. Every time we come up here, they boost it.” Whitey on
Montreal public transportation.
Montreal public transportation.
“Its as if you’ve mistaken your trousers for an ashtray again” -Wheels
“It’s just a little raw tobacco, doesn’t hurt em. In fact it takes care of the moss”- Whitey
In Conclusion
Tommy Greene isn’t as good as he had been all year, and the Phillies hitters continually left ducks on
the pond. It’s the first time Greene has given up a run in Canada and his first loss of his season. If you
enjoyed this wonderful blast from the past please feel free to share, like, or comment on it. The hope is to
have more people watching 93 Phillies games on youtube and talking about it. So hit me up
@Kevin_Seamus on twitter or @loudphilliesguy on Instagram. Tomorrow is the rubber match between the
Phils and Expos, as Curt Schilling takes the mound for the good guys.
the pond. It’s the first time Greene has given up a run in Canada and his first loss of his season. If you
enjoyed this wonderful blast from the past please feel free to share, like, or comment on it. The hope is to
have more people watching 93 Phillies games on youtube and talking about it. So hit me up
@Kevin_Seamus on twitter or @loudphilliesguy on Instagram. Tomorrow is the rubber match between the
Phils and Expos, as Curt Schilling takes the mound for the good guys.
*The Expos book is pseudonym for a book about the Expos written by a writer whose a dirtbag that I
don't feel necessary to cite, but it's the only source I have on the 90's Expos
don't feel necessary to cite, but it's the only source I have on the 90's Expos
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