jarry park

Willie Stargell splashes a pitch over the RF fence into the municipal swimming pool at Jarry Park.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Despite four homers by Montreal, the Pirates beat the Expos, 8 – 7, scoring three in the 8th and three in the 9th. The Pirates’ only homer comes in the 8th inning with Matty Alou on second base and Dan McGinn pitching, when Willie Stargell splashes a pitch over the RF fence into the municipal swimming pool at Jarry Park.

Mudcat Grant was the starting pitcher for the Montreal Expos on the franchise’s first MLB game on April 8, 1969.

Montreal Expos defeat the New York Mets, 11 – 10 in their inaugural game

ByBaseball

Four expansion teams make their debuts. The Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres all win their inaugural games. At Shea Stadium, the Expos defeat the New York Mets, 11 – 10, to keep the Mets winless for openers. Pitcher Dan McGinn hits the Expos’ first home run as the key hit, a three-run home run by Coco Laboy, is given up by Canadian-born Mets relieverRon Taylor.