Raines reigns sensational
Sanford native goes 4-for-5 with slam in Expos’ 1987 opener
Montreal Expos outfielder Tim Raines didn’t need long to shake off any offseason rust.
The Sanford native and Seminole High alum went 4-for-5, including a grand slam in the 10th inning, in his season debut to help the Expos beat the defending World Series champion New York Mets 11-7 on this day in 1987.
The performance became known in Expos history as “The Tim Raines Game.” The Hall of Fame outfielder also tripled, stole a base and scored three runs as he reached base in five of his six plate appearances.
Not bad for your first day on the job.
He had rejoined the Expos just the night before when he agreed to a three-year, $4.8 million contract.
“I never expected this,” Raines told the Associated Press after the game. “I thought I might be rusty, but I was comfortable at the plate, and that was important. I wasn’t overmatched.”
In 1988, an arbitrator would find baseball owners had colluded during the offseason to keep top free agents such as Raines, Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry and Tigers pitcher Jack Morris from receiving lucrative offers from other teams. The San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros reportedly each offered a contract to Raines that was far below where he signed with the Expos.
While he waited for a deal, Raines — the National League batting champion in 1986 — took aerobics classes and worked out with the baseball team at Palmetto High School in Sarasota. The layoff hardly showed. Raines lined the first pitch he saw from Mets starter David Cone into the right field corner and turned it into a triple.
Raines’ final hit, which came against Mets closer Jesse Orosco, landed in the Expos bullpen as the legendary Vin Scully described it on NBC’s “Game of the Week” broadcast: “High drive into deep left field. [Mets outfielder Kevin] McReynolds watching. Would you believe a grand slam for Tim Raines?”