Larry Parrish's journey with Montreal is a tale of assertive authority dominating the hot corner amid high hopes in Quebec. Signed as an undrafted amateur free agent in 1972, this Florida native was a raw yet powerful athlete who rapidly developed in the minors. By 1975, he earned the regular third base position, showcasing a commanding physique and a forceful right-handed swing that embodied the tough, determined spirit of the emerging Expos team.
His initial seasons in Montreal were characterized by a strenuous combination of notable offensive potential and developmental challenges in the defensive aspect. Parrish was a prolific run scorer, yet his aggressive approach at third base initially resulted in a high number of errors. Nonetheless, he rapidly gained the admiration of fans, owing to some of the most remarkable individual game performances in the history of the franchise. Parrish continues to be the sole player in Expos history to hit three home runs in a single game on three distinct occasions, intimidating opposing pitchers with his swift and powerful batting stroke.
His standout achievement with the Expos occurred during the remarkable 1979 season. Parrish overwhelmed National League pitchers, hitting a career-best .307 with 39 doubles, 30 home runs, and 82 RBIs. He combined his power with a.551 slugging percentage and a .909 OPS, earning his first All-Star selection, the Expos Player of the Year award, and finishing fourth in the National League MVP race. His clutch performance helped lead a 95-win Montreal team that fought the Pirates until the final weekend.
Though injuries and a slight regression in his timing slowed his production over the next two years, his grit remained vital. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, he shrugged off a summer-long slump to emerge as the team's hottest hitter in September, driving in 25 runs down the stretch to propel the Expos to their first-ever postseason berth. As the front office planned for the future and aimed to integrate rookie Tim Wallach at third base, they capitalized on Parrish's trade value. In March 1982, Montreal traded him to the Texas Rangers in a significant deal for veteran outfielder Al Oliver.
With Montreal, he had 896 hits, 209 doubles, 24 triples, 100 home runs, and 444 RBIs, with a solid .263/.315/423 slash line and an above-average 106 OPS+.
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