Known to hitters throughout the National League as "The Terminator," Jeff Reardon brought a menacing glare, a high-velocity fastball, and a signature thick beard to the back end of the Montreal bullpen. Acquired from the New York Mets in a trade-deadline swap for outfielder Ellis Valentine in May 1981, Reardon immediately took ownership of the late innings in Quebec. In an era when the multi-inning firemen were starting to evolve into specialized closers, he became one of the most reliable door-slammers of the 1980s.
His debut in the Expos was a crucial factor in their only postseason appearance in 1981. Moving into the closer role, Reardon steadied a faltering bullpen in the latter part of the season, posting a minuscule 1.30 ERA and earning six saves in the second half, aiding Montreal in clinching the NL East title.
He quickly proved himself as a high-volume reliever, pitching over 90 innings annually from 1982 to 1984. However, his standout season was 1985, which was his personal highlight. Reardon dominated National League hitters, leading all of Major League Baseball with a career-high 41 saves. He was the first in franchise history to reach 40 saves, earned his first All-Star selection, and received the National League Rolaids Relief Man Award.
Rather than regressing after that heavy workload, he backed it up with another excellent campaign in 1986. Reardon earned a second consecutive All-Star nod, locking down another 35 saves to keep the Expos competitive in a brutal division. Yet, with his market value at an all-time high and Montreal looking to restructure their roster, the front office traded their star closer to the Minnesota Twins in February 1987.
In Montreal, Reardon played 341 relief games with a 35–29 record, a 2.84 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP. Over 523.1 innings, he had 152 saves and 389 strikeouts, with an outstanding 134 ERA+.
In 1961, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed high school star Bob Bailey from Woodrow Wilson High in Long Beach, California, with a hefty $175,000 "bonus baby" contract. This large sum set high expectations that the teenage Bailey struggled to meet in Pittsburgh. After seven years, split between Pittsburgh and the Dodgers, he was seen as a promising prospect whose power never translated to the major leagues. However, everything shifted when the expansion Montreal Expos purchased his contract from the Dodgers in late October 1968.
In Montreal, Bailey didn't just rebuild his career—he became a foundational, historic pillar of the young franchise. Batting fifth in the team’s inaugural regular-season game on April 8, 1969, at Shea Stadium, he etched his name into baseball lore by driving a Tom Seaver pitch into the gap for a two-run double, recording the first base hit and the first runs batted in in Montreal Expos history.
His first year in Canada was a solid baseline campaign (.265 BA, 9 HR), but his 1970 sophomore season was an offensive elevation. Initially a utility player with no clear defensive position, Bailey forced his way into a full-time role by completely dominating National League pitching. He hit a career-high 28 home runs and drove in 84 runs in just 352 at-bats, adding 72 walks to achieve a remarkable .287/.407/597 slash line. His 1.004 OPS was a historic, era-adjusted achievement—an outstanding 167 OPS+ that would've ranked third in the National League behind Willie McCovey and Rico Carty if he had had enough plate appearances to qualify.
Bailey was a key run-producer for the Expos over five years, not just a one-season success. He surpassed 20 home runs three times, with 26 in 1973—driving in 86 RBIs—and 20 again in 1974. As a disciplined and patient hitter, he often worked deep counts and drew 100 walks in 1974, helping to keep Montreal’s early lineups moving. Additionally, he became the first player in franchise history to reach 100 home runs while with the Expos.
Although his defensive skills at third base became more limited over the years—drawing regular criticism from teammates and management—his offensive output continued to be highly regarded. When Montreal shifted to "Phase II" of their development in 1975, emphasizing a younger, speed-oriented team, Bailey spent one last summer as a veteran reserve before being traded to Cincinnati that winter. He retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in nearly every major offensive statistical category.
With Montreal, Bailey had 791 hits, 116 doubles, 23 triples, 118 home runs, and 466 RBIs. He drew 502 walks versus 607 strikeouts, posting a .264/.368/437 slash line and a strong 127 OPS+.