Washington Nationals Top Ten: Mostly Montreal
By Tab Bamford
Before relocating to Washington and sporting a new name (Nationals), the franchise enjoyed their most successful years as the Montreal Expos with a Dominican manager at the helm and featuring Latino players on the mound and in the field. Key to their success was scouting in Latin America, finding future stars in Vladimir Guerrero in the Dominican Republic, Andres Galarraga in Venezuela, and Javier Vázquez in Puerto Rico. Smart trades also netted them a young Pedro Martínez from the Dodgers and Moises Alou from Pittsburgh.
The Expos made Felipe Alou the first Dominican manager when they hired him during the 1992 season. Over the course of ten seasons, the Expos finished first once and second three times. Those Expos went from one ace pitcher named Martínez to another. Dennis Martínez revived his career in Montreal, defeating alcoholism in the course of winning 100 games as an Expos ace. Then came Pedro Martínez, who under Alou’s guidance evolved into one of the game’s most dominating right-handers.
A few Latinos made the franchise move to Washington and continued as vital parts of the Nationals everyday lineup and pitching staff. José Vidro remained a steady influence in the Nationals clubhouse while wielding a valuable bat. Then there was Liván Hernández, the innings eater, working more than 200 innings four times between Montreal and Washington.
So which Latino made the biggest impact on the Expos/Nationals franchise? To figure out the franchise Latino Top 10, we kept it simple by using WAR (as calculated by Baseball-Reference.com) as our metric of choice in composing our ranking. And while this is one measure of the impact of these players, you might have your own opinion as to who deserves to higher (or lower) on that team’s Top 10
Anyone missing? Surprised some are higher or lower than expected? Let us know.
Expos / Nationals Top Ten
1. Vladimir Guerrero
Eight years with the Expos, 34.6 WAR, four-time All-Star, three Silver Sluggers
Dominican Republic
Later this month, Vladi will join another member of this list in the hallowed halls in Cooperstown. Guerrero unveiled his massive arm, exceptional power and great eye at the plate in Montreal in 1996 and would soon emerge as one of the most lethal right fielders in the game. Guerrero led the league with 206 hits in 2002, when he appeared in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. He also stole 40 bases and hit 39 home runs that season, barely missing the 40-40 club. He drove in more than 100 runs and hit at least 34 home runs from 1998-2002. Guerrero finished his Expos career slashing .323/.390/.588 with 234 home runs, 702 RBI and 641 runs scored in 1,004 games.
2. Dennis Martínez
Eight years with the Expos, 30.1 WAR, three-time All-Star
Nicaragua
The highest-ranking Nicaraguan on our list, “El Presidente” also made our Orioles top ten list. He was traded to Montreal in 1986 and won double digit games every year he wore the Expos jersey. He won the NL ERA title with a 2.39 and led the league with nine complete games and five shutouts in 1991 as a 37-year-old. On July 28 of that year he threw a perfect game at Dodger Stadium. Martínez won an even 100 games with a 3.06 ERA and 973 strikeouts in 1,609 innings pitched with the Expos.
3. Gio González
Seven years with the Nationals, 21.9 WAR, one All-Star Game
Cuba / US
González was acquired from Oakland in a six-player trade before the 2012 season and immediately made an impact. He was an All-Star in his first year with the team, winning a league-leading and career-high 21 games and finishing third in Cy Young voting. Now in his seventh season in Washington, González is looking to reach double digits in wins once again. He has been above .500 every season he’s been in Washington.
4. Pedro Martínez
Four years with the Expos, 20.2 WAR, two-time All-Star, 1997 NL Cy Young winner
Dominican Republic
On Nov. 19, 1993, the Expos acquired a skinny kid from the Dodgers for Delino DeShields. Four years later, Pedro was accepting the Cy Young Award after a 17-8 season that saw him post a 1.90 ERA with 13 complete games and 305 strikeouts. Pedro went 55-33 with the Expos with a 3.06 ERA and 843 strikeouts in 797.1 innings. He was traded to Boston one day short of the fourth anniversary of his trade to Montreal.
5. Javier Vázquez
Six years with the Expos, 18.4 WAR
Puerto Rico
Vázquez broke in at 21 and had a rough rookie campaign, going 5-15 with a 6.06 ERA. He evolved into a quality starter, however, winning at least ten games in his final four years with the club. Vazquez led the league with three shutouts in 2001, his best season with the Expos; he went 16-11 with a 3.42 ERA. He finished his time in Montreal with 1,076 strikeouts in 1,229.1 innings pitched.
6. Liván Hernández
Seven years with the Expos/Nationals, 17.6 WAR, two-time All-Star, one Silver Slugger
Cuba
In two stints with the Expos and Nationals, Hernandez was the definition of workhorse. He led the league in innings pitched his first three years with the club, throwing 233.1, 255 and 246.1 innings. He led the league in shutouts in 2003 and 2004 as well, the final season in Montreal and first in Washington. The Cuban ace was one of the centerpieces of the team as they left Canada, and came back in 2009 after he was released by the Mets. Hernandez struck out 840 batters in 1,317.0 innings over his time with the organization, winning 70 games and throwing 23 complete games.
7. Anthony Rendon
Six years with the Nationals, 17.4 WAR, one Silver Slugger
Mexico / US
Rendon, the second active member of the Nationals on our list, led the league with 111 runs scored in 2014. He has eclipsed the 20 home run plateau three times in his career and drove in a career-high 100 runs in 2017, also his first season with a batting average over .300 in the majors.
8. José Vidro
10 years with the Expos/Nationals, 16.4 WAR, three-time All-Star
Puerto Rico
Vidro arrived in Montreal in 1997 and took over fully at second base the following season. Between 1999-2003 he hit at least 12 home runs at least 34 doubles with a batting average over .300. Vidro’s best season was 2000 when he hit a career-high 24 home runs and drove in a career-best 97 runs with a .330 average. He slashed .301/.363/.459 with the team.
9. Moisés Alou
Six years with the Expos, 12.3 WAR, one All-Star Game, one Silver Slugger
Dominican Republic
Moisés was acquired as the player to be named later in the 1990 trade that sent Zane Smith to Pittsburgh. When he permanently made it to the big leagues in 1992 he finished the runner-up to Eric Karros for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. His best season with the Expos was 1994 when he made his one All-Star Game appearance with the club. He hit 22 home runs and hit .339 in 107 games that season. Unfortunately, we’ll never know how far that Expos team could have gone.
10. Wilson Ramos
Seven years with the Nationals, 10.4 WAR, one All-Star Game, one Silver Slugger
Venezuela
The only catcher on our list, Ramos was acquired from the Twins during the 2010 season. His only All-Star Game appearance with the Nationals came in 2016 when he hit a career-high 22 home runs and drove in a career-best 80 runs.
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