RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
On July 30, 1978, the Montreal Expos faced off against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The Expos, under the management of Dick Williams, were having a solid season and were in contention in the National League East. The Braves, managed by Bobby Cox, were struggling in the lower half of the National League West standings. The game featured Woodie Fryman starting for the Expos and Tom Boggs for the Braves. Montreal had been experiencing standout performances from players like Andre Dawson and Gary Carter, while the Braves were looking for consistent contributions from their young talent, including Bob Horner.
The game quickly became one-sided as the Expos' offense exploded early. Andre Dawson and Larry Parrish both hit multiple home runs, leading an offensive onslaught that saw the Expos score eight runs in the third inning alone. Dawson's power and Parrish's consistent hitting overwhelmed the Braves' pitching staff, which included relievers Craig Skok and Rick Mahler, who struggled to contain the Expos' lineup. Fryman, on the mound for Montreal, delivered a dominant performance, keeping the Braves scoreless and allowing only seven hits throughout the game.
The Expos ultimately triumphed with a staggering 19-0 victory, highlighted by their 28 hits and eight home runs. This win was a reflection of the Expos' strong season, which saw them finishing second in the National League East, just short of the playoffs. Key players like Dawson and Carter continued to be pivotal throughout the season, earning accolades for their performances. The Braves, on the other hand, continued their rebuilding phase, looking ahead to future seasons for improvement.
On Thursday, September 14, 1978, the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants faced off...
Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants - Radio Broadcast / On Thursday, September 14, 1978, the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants faced off at Candlestick Park. The Braves sent Jim Bouton to the mound, an experienced right-hander who had a unique career trajectory, transitioning from a successful starter to a knuckleball reliever after a series of arm troubles. The Giants countered with Ed Halicki, a towering 6'7" right-hander known for his no-hitter in 1975. At this point in the season, the Braves were in the middle of the pack in the National League West, while the Giants were struggling to keep pace. The 1978 season was marked by the Yankees and Dodgers' fierce competition, each leading their respective leagues, while Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds was in pursuit of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak record.
The game got off to a slow start, with the Braves scoring an unearned run in the second inning due to errors by Halicki and John Tamargo. The Giants responded with a run of their own in the third, capitalizing on an error by Bouton. The Braves' Dale Murphy, who would later become a two-time MVP, made an impact on the base paths by stealing second base and later scoring due to the Giants' errors. In the sixth inning, the Giants threatened to score with a runner on second, but Bouton managed to get out of the jam, maintaining the slim lead.
The Braves broke the game open in the seventh inning, scoring two more runs thanks to key hits from Glenn Hubbard and Jerry Royster. The Giants, however, struggled to generate offense against the Braves' pitching. After Bouton's solid six innings of work, Craig Skok and Gene Garber held the Giants hitless over the final three innings. The Braves added an insurance run in the eighth, securing a 4-1 victory.
The win improved the Braves' standing in the NL West, although they would ultimately finish the season in the middle of the pack. The Giants, meanwhile, continued to struggle, ending the year near the bottom of the division. The 1978 season would conclude with the New York Yankees defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. The Braves' Dale Murphy, despite his team's middling performance, began to show signs of the player he would become in the 1980s, one of the most dominant in the National League. This game, while not a highlight of the season, was a good representation of the Braves' potential and the Giants' struggles in the 1978 season.
