Montreal Expos

Lore & Background

The defining era of this feud arrived in the autumn of 1980. The Phillies, led by pitcher Steve Carlton's Cy Young Award-winning performance, faced an Expos squad that had surged through the regular season with a powerful lineup featuring Dawson, Carter, and Larry Walker's father. The series was a tight contest that went the full seven games, showcasing the best of both teams' pitching and hitting. It was in this crucible that the Phillies proved their mettle, overcoming a deficit to secure the pennant. This victory not only ended Philadelphia's 35-year championship drought but also established the Expos as a formidable force on the national stage, creating a rivalry memory that persists even after Montreal's departure from baseball.

In Their Own Story

The air in Olympic Stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation, a stark contrast to the cold wind often blowing off the Schuylkill. It was Game 7 of the 1980 NLCS, and the fate of two cities hung in the balance. As Steve Carlton stepped onto the mound, his long hair tucked under his cap, he faced the heart of the Montreal order, a lineup that had tormented him all year. The crowd, a sea of blue and red, roared with every pitch. In this moment, the regular-season skirmishes faded into memory; this was war. When Carlton struck out the final batter to seal the victory for Philadelphia, the silence in Montreal was profound, while across the river in Philly, the celebration had already begun.

Reader's Guide

The history of the Phillies-Expos rivalry is best understood through its playoff climax rather than a long-standing grudge match. While they competed annually from 1969 to 2004, their regular-season games were often secondary to the intense rivalries both teams held with Pittsburgh and New York. The defining incident occurred in the 1980 NLCS, where the series went a full seven games. The Expos took an early lead, but the Phillies rallied behind Steve Carlton's legendary pitching performance, winning Games 6 and 7 to advance to the World Series. This matchup highlighted the Expos' emergence as a serious contender and the Phillies' resilience in high-pressure situations. Ultimately, this rivalry defines a specific era of transition for both franchises. For Philadelphia, it was the bridge between their long losing streaks and their first modern championship. For Montreal, it represented the pinnacle of their existence before eventual relocation. The memory of 1980 remains the primary anchor of their relationship.

Did You Know?

• The 1980 NLCS was the first playoff series in Phillies history to go seven games.
• Steve Carlton threw a complete-game victory in Game 6 of the 1980 NLCS, striking out nine batters.
• Andre Dawson and Gary Carter were the offensive powerhouses for the Expos during their rivalry with Philadelphia.
• The Expos played their home games at Olympic Stadium, which featured an artificial turf surface that was notoriously difficult on pitchers' arms.