Larry Landreth

On September 16, 1976, Larry Landreth made his major-league debut with the Montreal Expos. In doing so, he became the first homegrown Canadian to play for a big-league team based in Canada.1 The 21-year-old hurler had quickly advanced through the Expos’ farm system, compiling a 44-32 record and a 3.10 ERA in his first four minor-league seasons.2

Landreth won four league championships in a professional career that spanned seven seasons. The hard-throwing right-hander was a key contributor to West Palm Beach’s Florida State League title in 1974 and the Denver Bears’ back-to-back American Association championships in 1976-77.3

Landreth’s major-league career was limited to a pair of September call-ups with the Expos immediately after Denver’s postseason triumphs. After becoming disillusioned with life in the minor leagues, he decided to retire from professional baseball shortly after his 25th birthday. It was time to embark upon the next stage of his life.

Larry Robert Landreth was born on March 11, 1955, in Stratford, a small city on the banks of the Avon River in southwestern Ontario. He was the youngest of two children born to Donald John and Florence Mary (née Calvert). Don worked as a welder for the Dominion Chain Company, a large manufacturer of chains and related products.4 The Landreths raised Larry and their older son, Doug, in a home that they built in the early 1950s at 5 Burritt Street in Stratford.5

As a youngster, Larry participated in just about every sport possible. He began playing organized baseball as a pitcher at age 8.6 Larry’s baseball skills blossomed in Stratford’s outstanding minor baseball system, and between the ages of 11 and 17, he helped their teams win five provincial championships.7

Although Canada didn’t get its first major-league team until the expansion Expos joined the National League in 1969, young Larry still had the opportunity to see big leaguers up close. At least once a year, the Landreth family would drive the 165 miles to Tiger Stadium to catch a major-league game.8

Landreth’s biggest baseball influence was his brother Doug,9 who was six years his senior. Doug pitched for the Stratford entry in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) from 1967 until 1983. The IBL, which has featured future and former major leaguers like Ferguson Jenkins, Chris Speier, Jesse Orosco, and Denny McLain, is generally regarded as the best amateur baseball circuit in Canada. In 2018 the league celebrated its 100th anniversary by selecting the top 100 players in its history, and Doug Landreth was named to that prestigious list.10

Two of Larry’s coaches in Stratford minor baseball, Barry Jesson and Denis “Dinny” Flanagan, also made significant contributions to his development as a ballplayer. Jesson coached him from tyke until bantam, while Flanagan guided his team at the junior level.11 “I was very fortunate to have Barry and Dinny from the get-go,” Landreth said in 2011. “They molded us into winners.”12

Like many Canadian kids, Larry enjoyed playing hockey. However, when his hockey and high-school basketball schedules conflicted at age 14, he decided to give up the national sport. The decision paid dividends, as Larry helped Stratford Central Secondary School win two Huron-Perth regional basketball championships. He also participated in track and field in high school, specializing in the high jump.13 In 1971 he was named Stratford’s outstanding male athlete.14

Larry’s stellar pitching started to attract the attention of professional scouts at age 14.15 By the time he was playing for the Stratford Optimists in the Junior Intercounty Baseball League (1971-72), scouts were regularly in attendance when he was on the mound.16

In the summer of 1971, Larry attended an Expos tryout camp in Kitchener, Ontario. The 16-year-old threw batting practice and pitched in a simulated game, making a big enough impression to earn one of two invitations to a second-tier tryout camp later that year in Montreal.17 When he showed up to the second evaluation camp, the Expos brass knew everything about him.18 They continued to monitor his development closely from that point on.

A few weeks after leading the Optimists to Stratford’s first Junior Intercounty Baseball League championship in the summer of 1972, the Expos invited Larry and his family to Montreal to get acquainted.19 They were introduced to various front-office staff and taken out for a nice dinner in Old Montreal.20 The next night, they attended a doubleheader between the Mets and Expos at Jarry Park, and, as luck would have it, Bill Stoneman threw his second career no-hitter.21 It was the first major-league no-hitter tossed outside of the United States.

The Expos made it clear to Landreth during the Montreal rendezvous that they wanted him to be a part of their organization.22 At the time, Canadians weren’t eligible for the major-league draft, although they could be signed as amateur free agents once they turned 18.23

Less than three weeks after Larry’s 18th birthday, Expos scout Bill Schudlich was in Stratford with a contract in hand. A family friend came to the Landreth home to look over the pact and provide legal counsel during the negotiations. Larry signed for an $8,500 bonus, provided he could join the Expos’ other top prospects in the Florida Instructional League after the 1973 season. Moments after the Landreths agreed to the deal, the Baltimore Orioles called in the hopes of signing Larry. His father, Don, answered the phone. “You’re too late,” he told them.24

After finishing high school, Landreth reported to the Jamestown Expos in the short-season A New York-Penn League. Jamestown was managed by 30-year-old Walt Hriniak, who was in his second year of managing in the minor leagues. Landreth enjoyed playing for the fiery Hriniak. He remembered learning a lot from the former major leaguer during several sitdown talks they had that summer. “You played hard for him,” Landreth recalled. “If you didn’t, look out.”25

After holding his own against older competition in the New York-Penn League, Landreth took a big step forward in the fall of 1973, pitching for the Expos’ entry in the Florida Instructional League. In one particularly eye-catching start, he tossed a seven-inning one-hitter against St. Louis Cardinals prospects.26 Despite missing a week to attend his high-school graduation ceremony in Stratford, Landreth finished the fall season with a 5-0 record and 2.33 ERA.27 His performance caught the attention of The Sporting News, which referred to him as an “18-year-old phenom.”28 The Expos earned the league’s “Most Improved” honors largely because of Landreth and a pair of 19-year-old prospects, Gary Carter and Bill Atkinson. Carter led the squad with a .315 batting average, while Atkinson, a relief pitcher from Chatham, Ontario, posted a 0.91 ERA.29

Landreth enjoyed an outstanding season in 1974, recording a 2.54 ERA for West Palm Beach in the High-A Florida State League. His 15 wins were one off the league lead, and he put up similar numbers to Dennis Martínez despite being a year younger than the Baltimore prospect. Landreth’s season highlights included a 15-strikeout performance against the Miami Orioles on June 1 and an outing against Key West on June 18 in which he retired the first 17 batters in order and finished with a two-hit shutout.30

In early July, the Miami Herald wrote a feature article on Landreth. The story, which ran under the headline, “The Prospect: 19, Energetic, All Business,” showed the young hurler to be serious, hard-working, and mature beyond his years. It was also clear that Landreth was already thinking ahead to life after baseball. “I’ll go as far as I can,” he said. “Until I know myself that I can’t go any further. Believe me, I’ll know.”31

Landreth and his roommate, reliever Len Yonkman from Punnichy, Saskatchewan, showed their Canadian pride after a doubleheader against Miami on July 22. Landreth outpitched Martínez in the first game to earn the victory, with his roomie chipping in with the save. Yonkman also picked up the win in relief in the nightcap.32 “It was a sweep for Team Canada,” proclaimed Yonkman. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen, and it finally did.”33

West Palm Beach went on to win the FSL championship series two games to one over Fort Lauderdale. Landreth was in a reflective mood in the locker room after the final game. “It’s hard to imagine that most of us will probably never see each other again after tonight,” he told reporters.34 The next day, he was on his way to Quebec City of the Eastern League, where he made one relief appearance and got his first taste of Double-A baseball.

In August of 1974, Expos GM Jim Fanning had predicted that Landreth would be the team’s first homegrown Canadian player.35 “The way things are going now,” wrote Toronto Star reporter Milt Dunnell, “Landreth might even arrive before the (domed) stadium.”36 His rapid advancement was great news for the Expos, who had signed 18 Canadians in their first six years of existence.37 Not only were they hoping for a lucrative gate attraction, but as Canada’s sole major-league team, they were under increasing pressure to have at least one Canuck in their lineup. The fans and media took note of the big-league success enjoyed by Canadians like Jenkins, John Hiller, and Reggie Cleveland in 1974, and many expected the Expos to feature similar players.38

Landreth’s repertoire consisted mainly of a fastball and a slider, with an occasional curveball and changeup mixed in.39 He returned to the Florida Instructional League in the fall with the goal of improving his curveball.40 The extra work paid off, and he led the circuit with a 0.61 ERA. His Instructional League manager, Karl Kuehl, was so impressed that he lobbied the organization (unsuccessfully) to move Landreth all the way up to Kuehl’s Triple-A Memphis squad.41

Montreal named Landreth its top prospect early in 1975.42 He was rewarded with an invitation to spring training as a nonroster invitee, making him the youngest player in camp. The just-turned-20-year-old impressed Expos manager Gene Mauch before he was reassigned to the minor-league camp on March 20.43

Landreth spent all of 1975 with the Quebec City Carnavals, leading the fifth-place team with 10 wins and a 2.69 ERA. He finished second in the league in complete games (17) and tied Len Barker for second in strikeouts (133). Player development director Mel Didier, one of the architects of the great Expos teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s, assessed Landreth in early July.44 “He’s at the same stage right now that Steve Rogers was when we called him up in 1973. We would like to have him pitch a little longer in the minor leagues,” Didier revealed. “We can afford to do that now because our own pitching staff is stronger.”45 Landreth was named the Expos’ 1975 Minor-League Pitcher-of-the-Year, and in late October he was added to Montreal’s 40-man roster, along with his countryman, Bill Atkinson.46

Landreth also had a great year off the field in 1975. While shopping at a Stratford department store, he recognized one of the staff members who was working there part-time during high school.47 It turned out to be his future wife, Jane Finch. Larry knew of her through one of his high-school friends, so he went up and introduced himself to her in the store, and they started dating shortly afterward.48

Landreth held a variety of offseason jobs during his professional baseball career. He worked at a government-run liquor store for two winters; another year he was employed as a salesman at a high-end clothing store in downtown London, Ontario.49

Kuehl was hired as the Expos’ new manager for the 1976 season.50 That spring, major-league owners were upset at the prospect of free agency, and so they locked out the players for three weeks. As a result, the Expos camp didn’t get underway until March 18. Landreth, still the youngest player on the roster, was late reporting because of the difficulty in getting a last-minute flight from Toronto to Florida during spring break.51 With only 13 spring games scheduled,52 he had few opportunities to show what he could do against big-league hitters.

Landreth began the season at Triple A. Since Montreal had just switched its top affiliate from Memphis to Denver in 1976, Landreth had to pitch home games in the mountain air of Mile High Stadium. Despite being the third-youngest pitcher in the American Association, the 21-year-old posted a solid 3.72 ERA that season, and his 13 wins were only one off the league lead.53

The 1976 Denver Bears, featuring top hitting prospects like Andre Dawson, Warren Cromartie, and Ellis Valentine, were stacked with young talent. They easily won the Western Division by 13½ games. In Game One of the league championship series, Landreth picked up the victory by limiting the Omaha Royals to three hits in eight shutout innings.54 He also won Game Five in Denver to grab a 3-2 series lead.55 As soon as the Bears won Game Six to claim the American Association championship, the Expos called up nine Denver players, including Landreth, Atkinson, and Dawson.56

Landreth made his major-league debut on September 16, 1976, in a start against the Chicago Cubs at Jarry Park. He had tried to relax the evening before by watching Team Canada play Czechoslovakia in the thrilling finale of the Canada Cup hockey tournament.57 It didn’t help. “I might as well have not gone to bed,” he said. “I was tossing and turning all night.”58

With his parents in attendance, Landreth tossed six shutout innings and earned the victory.59 The nervous rookie walked six batters, although he limited the Cubs to only four hits. Most impressively, he held the dangerous Bill Madlock hitless in three at-bats, which helped snap the defending batting champion’s 10-game hitting streak.60

Landreth’s debut resulted in several firsts. He became the first homegrown Canadian to play for the Expos,61 the first pitcher from Canada to start a game for Nos Amours,62 and the first Stratford native to appear in a big-league game. Landreth also became the first Canadian-born hurler to start and win his major-league debut since Dick Fowler turned the trick for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1941.63

Landreth’s other two outings in September were against the red-hot New York Mets, who were on their way to leading the majors with a 20-9 record that month. He was thrilled to find out that his boyhood idol, Tom Seaver, was his scheduled mound opponent for his second start.64 But the Expos wanted him to pitch in the nationally televised home game on September 22, and so they juggled their rotation.65 The plan backfired when Landreth was knocked out of that game in the second inning after giving up three earned runs. His September 27 start at Shea Stadium wasn’t much better, as he gave up six hits and two earned runs in 3⅓ innings. In both games against the Mets, Jon Matlack earned the victory and Landreth took the loss.66

In an eventful offseason, Larry and Jane were engaged to be married. The Montreal Gazette reported in January 1977 that the Stratford couple were planning to wed in the fall.67

Dick Williams took over as the Expos’ manager in 1977, giving Landreth his third different skipper in three major-league camps.68 With 27 of the 40 players on the roster 25 or younger, Williams focused heavily on the fundamentals during spring training.69 Pitchers and catchers worked out for two full weeks before their first intrasquad game.70 In early March, Landreth won $25 in a bunting competition among the Expos pitchers. “If he makes the team and misses his first bunt, he’ll have to give the money back,” quipped Williams.71

With 16 hurlers in camp fighting over six available roster spots, Landreth had a reasonable shot at making the big club that spring.72 However, a couple of subpar outings against the Phillies and Dodgers proved costly. He was reassigned to the minor-league camp on March 23.73

Landreth returned to Triple-A Denver, and after struggling through much of the season, he turned it on down the stretch. He persevered through three consecutive hard-luck defeats in a 10-day period, losing by scores of 1-0, 2-1, and 1-0.74 The only run Denver scored during those three frustrating outings was knocked in by Landreth himself.75

On the next to last day of the season, he tossed a clutch four-hit, complete-game shutout against Wichita to eliminate the Aeros and clinch the division.76 His strong finish earned him the Expos’ minor-league Pitcher-of-the-Month award in August.

Landreth finished the season with the most strikeouts in the American Association (134), and he tied for the league lead in starts (29). He paced the Bears with 10 wins, 195 innings pitched, 9 complete games, and 2 shutouts.

After Denver dropped the first two games of their best-of-seven series to Omaha at home, Landreth got the start in a must-win game at Mile High Stadium. He responded by tossing an eight-hit, complete-game victory, with the final two outs coming on strikeouts with the bases loaded and the potential tying run on first base.77 Landreth’s clutch performance was the pivotal event of the series. The Bears won the next three games and claimed their second consecutive American Association championship.

Landreth was called up by Montreal immediately after Denver’s postseason. He made a pair of September appearances against the Phillies and Pirates, teams that finished with 101 and 96 wins respectively. His only start was on September 17 against Pittsburgh on a damp Montreal evening. With the rain stopping and starting multiple times during a 2-hour 10-minute delay, both starting pitchers were forced to warm up three times.78 Veteran Pirates hurler Jerry Reuss stiffened up on his third attempt to get ready and was replaced by rookie Ed Whitson.79 Landreth, on the other hand, soldiered on. He gave up five earned runs in 4⅔ innings, and the Expos lost, 6-3.

His best outing during his second stint with Montreal was against the Phillies on September 30; he limited Philadelphia to a single and a walk in two innings of relief. It was the final appearance of his major-league career.

Larry and Jane were married on October 8, 1977, at St. James Anglican Church in Stratford.80 Jane had completed her first year of nursing studies at Fanshawe College earlier that year. Since Larry had been invited to pitch in the Puerto Rican Winter League and would have to leave shortly after their wedding day, Jane took a year off from college to give the newlyweds more time together. They enjoyed a brief honeymoon at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, before setting off for Puerto Rico a few weeks later.81 Landreth pitched out of the bullpen, helping the Caguas Criollos win their fourth consecutive regular-season crown.82

Before the start of the 1978 season, Montreal greatly improved its starting pitching by acquiring proven left-handers Ross Grimsley and Rudy May.83 As a result, competition to make the Expos starting rotation was fierce during spring training. Landreth found himself battling five other pitchers for the fifth starter/long-relief role.84 He pitched decently in the spring, but one poor outing against Boston on March 15 landed him in Williams’s “early doghouse,” along with Will McEnaney, Santo Alcalá, and Rick Sawyer.85 He was reassigned to the minor-league camp later that month.

After five Triple-A starts with Denver, Landreth was blindsided by a trade on May 20. Montreal desperately needed to improve its bullpen,86 and so they packaged two young starters, Landreth and Gerald Hannahs, in a swap with the Dodgers for reliever Mike Garman. Los Angeles assigned Landreth to its Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. He went from one high-altitude environment to another, except that Albuquerque was even drier than Denver. “There was a trough in Albuquerque that ran from right-center to left-center, and if a fly ball got in the trough, you could kiss it goodbye,” Landreth recalled.87 He posted a 6.28 ERA in 22 appearances with the Dukes.

Landreth was not happy with the trade, mainly because of the pitching depth in the Dodgers organization.88 “It was a dead end (for me) there,” he said.89 He decided that he wouldn’t report to spring training in 1979, and in early February he asked the Dodgers for his release.90 Los Angeles finally granted him his wish on March 27. He immediately went down to Florida to try to catch on with the Expos. However, Fanning was hesitant to sign him after hearing rumors at the Winter Meetings that he had arm troubles.91 Landreth returned a couple of days later and threw about 20 pitches for Fanning, and he was quickly signed to a minor-league deal.92

For the fourth year in a row, Landreth started the season in Denver. After several inconsistent starts, the Bears’ new manager, Jack McKeon, could no longer guarantee him a regular spot in the rotation, much to Landreth’s displeasure.93 The breaking point came when he was charting a game the day before a scheduled start, and then, out of the blue, he was sent in to pitch in relief.94 Disillusioned with minor-league life and unhappy with his role on the Bears, Landreth decided to pack it in.95 “It’s tough … there’s not a lot of money, for one thing,” he told a reporter after returning to Stratford. “The first year I signed for $500 a month, and that’s hard to live on.”96 He was placed on Denver’s suspended list on June 14.

The Brewers contacted Landreth later that summer. He signed with Milwaukee and was assigned to their Double-A affiliate in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he compiled a 5.76 ERA in five late-season starts.

Landreth attended Milwaukee’s minor-league camp in the spring of 1980. But the Brewers released him on April 1, less than three weeks after his 25th birthday. Although he had a couple of other teams interested in his services, he asked Milwaukee for a plane ticket home.97 “I just grew tired of it (the minor leagues),” he explained. “So instead of waiting until I was 28 and having to face starting all over again, I just quit. I didn’t want to have to start looking for a job when I was that old.”98

In seven minor-league seasons, Landreth amassed a 62-56 record and a 3.89 ERA despite spending almost half of that time pitching home games in the hitter-friendly environments of Denver and Albuquerque. In four starts and three relief appearances at the major-league level, he compiled a 1-4 record and a 6.64 ERA.

Larry returned to Stratford and took a job as a hydro lineworker. His brother Doug and several friends were playing in the IBL, and so he decided to have some fun and join them on the Stratford Hillers. With both Landreth brothers on their pitching staff, the Hillers won the IBL championship in 1980 and represented Ontario in the senior men’s national championship in 1981.99

Larry joined the Stratford Fire Department as a firefighter in 1981, eventually rising to the rank of captain. In 2002 and 2011, he was awarded the Governor General’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal.100 He retired in 2015 after serving more than 33 years as a firefighter. Jane worked as a registered nurse for 30 years, and, later in life, as a real estate sales representative. Together they raised three children, Sean, Kate, and Scott.101

The Landreths spent their early retirement years living in the Town of the Blue Mountains (Ontario) to be closer to their three grandchildren. They returned to Stratford in 2020, to a home just a four-minute walk from the golf course. In addition to golfing as much as possible, Larry enjoys pickleball and five-pin bowling.102 He is also a regular participant in the Celebrity Golf Classic, an annual tournament to raise funds for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby St. Marys, Ontario.

In 2011 Landreth was inducted into the Stratford Wall of Fame as part of an inaugural class that included his former coach, Dinny Flanagan, and the “Stratford Streak,” Howie Morenz.103

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Larry Landreth for graciously answering questions via phone and email. Thanks also to Cassidy Lent of the Giamatti Research Center at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for providing a copy of Landreth’s Hall of Fame file.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com, Retrosheet.org, The Sporting News Player Contract Cards, and Ancestry.com.

Photo credit: Larry Landreth, courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Notes

1 Landreth was the second Canadian to play for the Montreal Expos, but he was the first Canadian produced by their farm system. On August 19, 1969, Montreal purchased the contract of 32-year-old reliever Claude Raymond from the Atlanta Braves, and he pitched for the Expos during the franchise’s first three seasons (1969-71). Raymond, a native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, was a National League All-Star with the Houston Astros in 1966. He went 8-16 with a 4.47 ERA in 111 relief appearances with Montreal, and he led the team with 23 saves in 1970. Thirty-five-year-old pitcher Ron Piché was activated by the Expos in September 1970, although he never saw any game action. Piché was born in Verdun, Québec.

2 Landreth also posted a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 1.243 in his first four professional seasons. Those statistics were especially impressive considering that one of those seasons was spent pitching in the thin air of Denver’s Mile High Stadium. It was not the only season that Landreth spent pitching in an extreme hitters’ park. He played home games in Denver and Albuquerque for close to half of his seven-year professional career.

3 Landreth was also a member of the Albuquerque Dukes in 1978. The Dukes and the Tacoma Yankees were named co-champions of the Pacific Coast League that season because of continuous rain in the playoffs.

4 Email from Larry Landreth to author, February 8, 2021.

5 “Florence Landreth,” Stratford Beacon Herald, https://stratfordbeaconherald.remembering.ca/obituary/florence-landreth-1077022662, accessed February 3, 2021.

6 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

7 “Larry Landreth First Canadian Starter for Expos,” Toronto Star, September 17, 1976: C-1.

8 Email from Larry Landreth to author, February 8, 2021. Tiger Stadium in Detroit (165 miles) was significantly closer to Stratford than Jarry Park in Montreal (420 miles). Historically, there has been a large contingent of Detroit Tigers fans in southwestern Ontario. As of 2021, many fans in southwestern Ontario still cheered for the Tigers, although most baseball fans in the area supported the Toronto Blue Jays.

9 Kevin Glew, “Ex-Expos: Whatever Happened To? … Larry Landreth,” Cooperstowners in Canada, July 30, 2020, https://cooperstownersincanada.com/2020/07/30/ex-expos-whatever-happened-to-larry-landreth/, accessed February 3, 2021.

10 Bob Elliott, “Stead Headlines IBL’s All-Time Top 100 Players,” Canadian Baseball Network, February 7, 2018, https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/canadian-baseball-network-articles/stead-headlines-ibls-all-time-top-100, accessed March 9, 2021.

11 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021. Flanagan was an accomplished amateur hockey player in his younger days. He played on the Canadian team that won the 1951 Ice Hockey World Championship before going on to manage the Stratford Junior B Hockey Club for 21 years.

12 Mike Savage, “Landreth Role Model for Many,” Beacon Herald (Stratford, Ontario), April 16, 2011: B-1.

13 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

14 “Larry Landreth First Canadian Starter for Expos.”

15 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021. There had also been a minimal amount of contact with professional scouts at the bantam level.

16 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021; Glew, “Ex-Expos: Whatever Happened To? … Larry Landreth.”

17 The other invitation went to Mike Teahen, a catcher from St. Marys, Ontario. Teahen went on to play for Canada’s national team. A few years later he had a son, Mark Teahen, who played in the American League for seven seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. Cory Smith, “‘No one can take it away from me:’ After 45 years, Larry Landreth remains Stratford’s only big leaguer,” Stratford Beacon Herald, December 1, 2021; Bob Duff, “Teahen Drawn to Canada,” Windsor Star, September 24, 2007: 9.

18 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

19 “Larry Landreth First Canadian Starter for Expos.”

20 Email from Larry Landreth to author, February 27, 2021. Old Montreal is the city’s historic district known for its charming architecture and cobblestone streets. European settlers arrived in the area in 1642.

21 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021. The doubleheader was played on October 2, 1972.

22 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

23 Canadians attending college in the United States have been eligible for the major-league draft since 1985. Starting in 1991, Canadians could be drafted out of high school.

24 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

25 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

26 Jack Ellison, “Montreal Youngsters Are ‘Most Improved,’” The Sporting News, November 24, 1973: 47.

27 Ian MacDonald, “Foote Candidate to Start for Expos; ‘He Can Catch for Us,’ Says Fanning,” Montreal Gazette, November 15, 1973: 34.

28 Ellison, “Montreal Youngsters Are ‘Most Improved.’”

29 MacDonald, “Foote Candidate to Start for Expos; ‘He Can Catch for Us,’ Says Fanning.”

30 John Kelso, “Expos End Slump, 3-2; Landreth Strikes Out 15 Orioles,” Palm Beach Post, June 2, 1974: 72; “West Palm Rolls, 2-0,” Miami Herald, June 19, 1974: 2-E.

31 Skip Bayless, “The Prospect: 19, Energetic, All Business,” Miami Herald, July 3, 1974: 2-B.

32 This was not the first time that a pair of Canadians had won both ends of a doubleheader for the same professional team. The most high-profile example of this occurred on August 17, 1947, when Dick Fowler of the Philadelphia Athletics earned the victory in the first game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators, and his teammate Phil Marchildon picked up the win in the second game.

33 Larry Mlynczak, “Sweep Puts Expos in 1st,” Palm Beach Post, July 23, 1974: 16.

34 Skip Bayless, “In Class A, Champs Get Beer,” Miami Herald, September 4, 1974: 2-B.

35 Milt Dunnell, “Homebrew Looms in Expos’ Future,” Toronto Star, August 27, 1974: C-1.

36 Dunnell, “Homebrew Looms in Expos’ Future.” To help secure Montreal’s major-league franchise in 1968, Mayor Jean Drapeau had promised the National League a domed stadium in time for the start of the 1971 season. The Expos did not play their first game in Olympic Stadium until April 15, 1977. Dunnell’s prediction came true, as Landreth made his major-league debut on September 16, 1976.

37 Bob Dunn, “Expo Homebred Search Turns to Finlayson,” The Sporting News, January 25, 1975: 41.

38 Older Canadian fans were used to seeing native sons on their Triple-A teams as well. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was not out of the ordinary for the rosters of the Montreal Royals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Mounties to feature multiple Canadians.

39 Smith, “‘No one can take it away from me:’ After 45 years, Larry Landreth remains Stratford’s only big leaguer.”

40 Ian MacDonald, “Expos May Just Have ‘Future’ in Canadian Rookie,” Montreal Gazette, November 28, 1974: 34.

41 MacDonald, “Expos May Just Have ‘Future’ in Canadian Rookie”; Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, March 13, 2021. Landreth also lobbied the Montreal front office to start the 1975 season with Triple-A Memphis.

42 Canadian Press, “Expos Keep Eye on Hurler from Stratford,” Globe and Mail (Toronto), March 4, 1975: 37. Gary Carter and Warren Cromartie had made their major-league debuts in September 1974. Andre Dawson wasn’t drafted by the Expos until June 1975.

43 “Expos Trim Seven from Camp Roster,” Montreal Gazette, March 21, 1975: 27.

44 The Expos had the best winning percentage in the National League (.548) in the five-year period from 1979 to 1983. Their Pythagorean won-lost percentage in that period was .552, which was also tops in the National League.

45 Ian MacDonald, “Expos Struggle, but Farmhands Plow Straight Lines,” Montreal Gazette, July 3, 1975: 37.

46 Ian MacDonald, “Expos Show Faith in Canadian Talent,” Montreal Gazette, October 30, 1975: 32.

47 Email from Larry Landreth to author, February 1, 2021.

48 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

49 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

50 Gene Mauch was fired at the end of the 1975 season, in part because of his reluctance to use young players. Thirty-eight-year-old Karl Kuehl, who had worked with many of Montreal’s prospects, was named as his replacement. The 1976 season was a complete disaster for the Expos. Injuries, clubhouse dissension, and disappointing performances from several players led to Montreal’s worst season since its inaugural 1969 campaign, and Kuehl paid the price when he was fired on September 3, 1976. Consequently, Landreth lost perhaps his biggest champion in the organization.

51 Ian MacDonald, “Lather up … Expos Open Training,” Montreal Gazette, March 19, 1976: 19.

52 MacDonald, “Lather up … Expos Open Training.”

53 In 1976 Landreth was the youngest pitcher in the American Association not named Manny. The only two hurlers in the league younger than him were Manny Sarmiento and Manny Seoane.

54 “A.A. Day by Day,” The Sporting News, September 25, 1976: 31.

55 “American Association,” The Sporting News, September 25, 1976: 38.

56 Associated Press, “Expos Call Up Nine off Farm,” Monroe (Louisiana) News-Star, September 7, 1976: 9. Cromartie and Valentine had been called up to the Expos earlier in the 1976 season.

57 Canada beat Czechoslovakia 5-4 in overtime to win the 1976 Canada Cup. At the time, it was the most watched television broadcast in Canadian history.

58 Glenn Cole, “Canadian Rookie Wins for Expos,” Ottawa Journal, September 17, 1976: 20.

59 Ian MacDonald, “Morales Sets Record with 25th Pinch Hit,” Montreal Gazette, September 17, 1976: 19.

60 Madlock won his second consecutive batting title with a .339 batting average in 1976. He finished his career with four batting titles. After Madlock grounded into a double play against Landreth in the first inning, he flied out to center field in the third and lined out to center field in the sixth. Madlock was walked by Joe Kerrigan in the eighth inning in his only other plate appearance of the game.

61 Reliever Bill Atkinson made his major-league debut two days after Landreth. Atkinson went on to post an 11-4 record and 3.42 ERA in 98 relief appearances during his four-year major-league career. All 98 appearances were with the Expos. The only Canadian to play for the Expos before Landreth was relief pitcher Claude Raymond.

62 “Nos Amours” is the nickname given to the Expos by their French-speaking fans. The nickname’s English translation is “Our Loves.”

63 Ferguson Jenkins won his major-league debut in 1965 pitching in relief. Four Canadian-born pitchers in a starting role won their major-league debut in the American, National, or Federal League between 1901 and 1976: Alex Hardy of the Chicago Orphans on September 4, 1902, Ernie Ross of the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader on September 17, 1902, Dick Fowler of the Philadelphia Athletics on September 13, 1941, and Landreth. As of the end of the 2020 season, the feat had been accomplished five more times since Landreth’s victory: Rhéal Cormier of the St. Louis Cardinals on August 15, 1991, Jason Dickson of the California Angels on August 21, 1996, Andrew Albers of the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2013, James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners on September 7, 2013, and Mike Soroka of the Atlanta Braves on May 1, 2018.

64 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

65 Bob Dunn, “Injuries Ruin Soph Season for Expos’ Carter,” The Sporting News, October 9, 1976: 15. The September 22, 1976, game between the Expos and Mets was televised nationally by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The CBC televised approximately one Expos game per week during the 1976 season.

66 The two victories for Matlack against Montreal raised his record to 17-9. His 17 wins in 1976 were the most victories in his 13-year major-league career.

67 “Sports Shorts,” Montreal Gazette, January 14, 1977: 26.

68 Williams had been fired as manager of the California Angels on July 23, 1976. While he was at the helm, the Angels compiled a record of 147-194 (.431) over parts of three seasons. In contrast to Kuehl, who had been hired for his experience within the Montreal organization, Williams was brought in because of his reputation as a hard-nosed winner with Boston (1967-69) and Oakland (1971-73).

69 Chuck Otterson, “Williams Expects Expos to Climb,” Palm Beach Post-Times, March 13, 1977: E-7.

70 “Expos’ Tickets Are $1 to $6.50,” Montreal Gazette, March 5, 1977: 40.

71 “Charlie O. Keeps Lines Open with Expos but Demands Dim Hopes of Deal for Blue,” Montreal Gazette, March 4, 1977: 23.

72 Ian MacDonald, “Carrithers Keyed for ‘Mop-Up’ Role,” Montreal Gazette, March 10, 1977: 26. Starter Steve Rogers, swingman Don Stanhouse and reliever Will McEnaney were the only pitchers who had guaranteed jobs on Montreal’s nine-man pitching staff.

73 Ian MacDonald, “Bad News for Blair as Expos Make Cuts,” Montreal Gazette, March 24, 1977: 28.

74 “American Association; Monday, August 8,” The Sporting News, August 27, 1977: 34; “American Association; Saturday, August 13,” The Sporting News, September 3, 1977: 36; “American Association; Thursday, August 18,” The Sporting News, September 3, 1977: 36.

75 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, March 13, 2021.

76 Associated Press, “Bears Take It All in Western Division,” Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, September 1, 1977: 33. Wichita came into the game one game behind Denver with two games to play.

77 Frank Haraway, “Bears Demonstrate Heavy Hitting to Gain A.A. Title,” The Sporting News, September 24, 1977: 31.

78 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

79 Bob Smizik, “Taveras Steals 64th as Pirates Win, 6-3,” Pittsburgh Press, September 18, 1977: 65. This game was Whitson’s first major-league start. He gave up three earned runs in five innings on the hill and earned his first career win. Goose Gossage picked up a four-inning save.

80 The Landreths were married a mere six days after the end of Montreal’s regular season.

81 Email from Larry Landreth to author, February 16, 2021.

82 “Expos Faring Well in Winter Ball,” Montreal Gazette, January 18, 1978: 22; Ian MacDonald, “Expos’ Staff Could Include Pair of Canadians,” The Sporting News, March 25, 1978: 50. Caguas was upset in the semifinals by Mayagüez.

83 Rudy May, Bryn Smith, and Randy Miller were acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles in return for Joe Kerrigan, Gary Roenicke, and Don Stanhouse on December 7, 1977. Ross Grimsley was signed by Montreal as a free agent on December 21, 1977. Grimsley and May had combined to win 32 games for Baltimore in 1977. Grimsley went 20-11 for the Expos in 1978. He was the only 20-game winner in the 36-year history of the Montreal Expos.

84 MacDonald, “Expos’ Staff Could Include Pair of Canadians.”

85 Ian MacDonald, “Cutting Job Looks Easier,” Montreal Gazette, March 18, 1978: 42. Rudy May and Stan Bahnsen also struggled in the March 15, 1978, game against Boston; it was just one of those days. Boston scored 8 runs on 13 hits against May, Landreth, and Bahnsen. Carl Yastrzemski had three hits; Jerry Remy, Rick Burleson, Bernie Carbo, and Butch Hobson had two hits each.

86 Ian MacDonald, “Critics Get Eyeful from Expo Relievers,” The Sporting News, May 13, 1978: 9. The Montreal scribes were correct in their preseason criticism of the Expos bullpen. Montreal relievers went 14-25 with 15 blown saves in 47 opportunities in 1978.

87 Glew, “Ex-Expos: Whatever Happened To? … Larry Landreth.”

88 Montreal’s pitching staff led the major leagues with a 3.14 ERA in 1979. However, Landreth was correct in his assessment of the Dodgers’ pitching. Between 1980 and 1986, Los Angeles led the major leagues with a 3.24 ERA. Montreal was third in the big leagues with a 3.48 ERA during that period.

89 “American Association,” The Sporting News, June 2, 1979: 38.

90 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

91 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021. Landreth never had any arm or shoulder injuries during his professional career.

92 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

93 Canadian Press, “Landreth’s Dream Comes to an End,” Regina Leader-Post, August 29, 1979: 29. Jack McKeon was a member of the Expos organization for only one season. He piloted the Bears to a 62-73 record in 1979. Four days after Denver’s season ended, he was named assistant general manager of the San Diego Padres.

94 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

95 Canadian Press, “Landreth’s Dream Comes to an End”; Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

96 Canadian Press, “Landreth’s Dream Comes to an End.”

97 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

98 Terry England, “Chiefs Learn Co-operation Returns Heftiest Dividends,” Windsor (Ontario) Star, August 29, 1980: 37.

99 In addition to pitching, Larry also played first base.

100 The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal honors members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed 20 years of service, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks. A Bar may be added to the recipient’s Medal for each additional 10-year period of service. “Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal,” The Governor General of Canada, gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/directory-honours/exemplary-service-medals/fire-services-exemplary-service-medal, accessed February 25, 2021.

101 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021.

102 Larry Landreth, telephone interview with author, January 27, 2021. Five-pin bowling is a Canadian version of ten-pin bowling. A smaller, lighter ball without any finger holes is used. Each pin is approximately 25 percent smaller than those in ten-pin bowling.

103 Savage, “Landreth Role Model for Many.” Howie Morenz is widely considered to be professional hockey’s first superstar. In 1950 he was voted the top hockey player of the first half of the twentieth century by the Canadian Press.