Washington Nationals

This is the most complete record book ever written about the Montreal Expos (now known as the new Washington Nationals), since it is the only book which includes every record ever created by every player in the team’s history.

Typical record books eliminate old records when new ones are established, but this book never eliminates a record, simply adds new ones to existing chronology lists. In this way, no players or their records are ever forgotten and the history of club records will forever be preserved.

This book is certain to stimulate fan interest because it offers four never-before-seen features. First there are the chronology lists, which start in the club’s first year of play (1969), and record every original “Record Setter” and every subsequent “Record Breaker,” up to the present. The chronology lists are dated so that it can be seen exactly how long each record lasted before broken and who broke each record.

Since all records are posted in chronological order, they are easy to count, and easy to learn how many records each player has created. This information appears at the end of each chapter on our second new feature which is called the “Record Holders Lists.”

The third new feature are the newly developed individual player’s “Record Profile.” The team’s greatest players are honored by having their records profiled to see the player’s total accomplishments at a glance. Did you know that Vladimir Guerrero has 32 club records? That Andre Dawson has 58 records and Tim Raines has 28?

The fourth new feature is the Player’s “Claims to Fame Profile.” This is an extension of the “Record Profiles,” but also includes every feat which has made a player famous. Did you know that Vladimir Guerrero has 40 claims to fame?

The book also includes many more features such as rookie records, manager’s records, biographies, quotes, and many photographs. Everything you ever wanted to know about Expos records are now at your fingertips.

EXPLANATION OF THE CHRONOLOGY LISTS
Perhaps the best way of understanding the chronology lists are to use the season home run record as an example.

The above chronology list shows that Rusty Staub was the club’s first home run champion when he hit 29 home runs in 1969, the team’s first year of play. In 1970, Staub became the first player to repeat as home run champion, breaking his own record by blasting 30 round trippers. Staub’s record would stand for seven years before Gary Carter excited the Montreal fans by smashing 31 balls into the far seats in 1977. Carter’s record was good for six years before the remarkable Andre Dawson became the new leader with 32 home runs in 1983. Henry Rodriguez would become the new champion in 1996 as he belted 36 four base hits; his record would be passed by the great Vladimir Guerrero in 1998, when this outstanding slugger crushed 38 home runs. Guerrero would then break his own record in 1999 with 42 home runs, and became the club’s only three-time record breaker when he reached the seats 44 times in 2000. His record remains unbroken to this day.

This is the complete history of the club’s home run record, from start to present with every record breaker in between. Nothing could be more complete and easy to read. This is true record keeping at its best. The entire book is written using this concept and includes every record by every player in season and career, batting, pitching, and fielding.

TEAM HISTORY
The Expos entered the National League in 1969 as an expansion team and have been a fine addition ever since. Their first manager was the highly respected Gene Mauch, who would raise the team from last place to fourth in just five quick years. He was succeeded by the fiery Dick Williams, who continued to improve the team, getting them out of fourth place and into second place by 1979. In that year, the Expos won a team-high 95 games, a tremendous improvement from the 52 wins in the team’s first year of play.

The Expos would not win their first Division Title until 1994 under the inspirational leadership of Felipe Alou. After the Expos fell on hard times in the late 1980s, Alou brought them in second in 1993 before coming in first in 1994. Unfortunately for the Expos, this was the year of the strike and there were no playoffs or World Series. But at this time, the Expos would have the best record of any team in baseball. They continue to be competitive and today are generating much excitement in their new home in Washington, D.C., where they are now known as the Washington Nationals.