Blue Monday – Rick Monday home run in the ninth eliminates Expos
Blue Monday
On October 19, 1981 — The first Canadian pennant hopes are dashed when Dodger Rick Monday’s ninth-inning two-out dramatic home run off Steve Rodgers beats the Expos, 2-1, in the deciding game of the NLCS. Ray Burris had pitched 8 innings giving up 1 run, Monday had scored on a ground out Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela gave up a first inning run when Tim Raines scored on an Andre Dawson double play ball. Fernando who had a masterful season will win the rookie of the year and cy young award. pitches 8.2 innings giving up 3 hits. Bob Welch will close out the game getting the last out. This game will later become known in baseball lore as “Blue Monday”. The win sends the Dodgers to the World Series against the New York Yankees.
It will be the first and last time in franchise history the team makes it into the postseason until 2012, when the Washington Nationals, the team’s new name and home for the past seven seasons, finishes first in the National League East Division.
