Carl Morton: Reliving the Magic of the Expos' 1970 Rookie of the Year

Carl Morton came into this world on January 18, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri. As we think about the milestone of what would have been his 80th birthday, it's the perfect chance to explore the path that took him to becoming a significant part of the Montreal Expos' early editions.

In the bygone days, wagering wasn't widely accepted, especially in the sacred realm of baseball. Fast forward to now, and you can easily hop onto the premier Canadian platforms to scope out some of the future bets for the thrilling adventures of the 2024 season. betting sites Carl Morton was more than just a pitcher; he was among the inaugural roster of the Expos, throwing the team's first pitches and marking his place in history by capturing the franchise's very first major accolade.

May 27, 1968, marked the birth of the Montreal Expos, chosen alongside San Diego on the same historic day. The journey started rocky with stadium troubles before Jerry Park became home, dispelling fears of losing the franchise. By 1969, the Expos were ready for the big leagues.

Excitement was scarce in those initial seasons, with almost a decade without a winning streak. By the time stars like Rusty Staub exited Jerry Park, Morton was already a memory. Yet, a nostalgic return by Staub in 1969 saw him join the ranks of legends with his number retired, thanks in part to the energizing presence of Andre Dawson in the late 70s and early 80s.

A significant early challenge for the Expos was their stadium situation. Promised a domed arena by 1971, it wasn't until 1977 that they laid claim to the famous 'The Big O' at Olympic Stadium.

The departure of the Expos to Washington D.C. left a gap in the hearts of Canada’s baseball enthusiasts. The dream lives on that one day the game will return to Quebec’s beloved landscapes. Their lone National League East title in 1981 served as a small glimmer of hope over 36 cherished seasons.

Although Morton hailed from Kansas City, his roots were firmly planted in Oklahoma, where he nurtured his love for the game through his school and college years, eventually returning there after the end of his baseball days.

Back when Morton was growing up, he idolized Mickey Mantle, dreaming of patrolling the outfield together. Both Oklahoman by birth, Mantle left his legacy after hanging his spikes in 1968, moments before Morton made his major league entrance.

Numerous teams eyed Morton during his high school years, and at 18, he famously declined lucrative offers, choosing instead the familiar fields and camaraderie of the University of Oklahoma.

While donning the Sooner colors, Morton showcased talent both in the outfield and from the pitching mound. By 1964, he made nine relief appearances, boasting a 2.88 ERA, complemented by solid batting stats, including a .326 average with six doubles and six homers.

Those were the spotlighted numbers from his sophomore year, captivating major league scouts again, and this time, he leaped into professional baseball with passion.

The Milwaukee Braves became Morton's first big-league home before the Atlanta Braves provided his platform for wrapping up a spirited major league journey. His time in the minors was peppered with stints at numerous feeder clubs.

Morton's path through the minors saw him bouncing from Florida's West Palm Beach Braves to the Yakima Braves in Washington. It was during this period he pivoted from dreaming of the outfield to mastering the craft of pitching.

His journey took him through 1966 and 1967 with the Kingston Eagles before landing in AA with the Shreveport Braves by 1968. A promising 10-9 record preceded a 13-5 breakout year, hinting at his major league potential.

In a pivotal moment, the Braves left Morton unprotected during the expansion draft, paving the way for the Expos and Padres to shape their squads. Chosen 45th overall, he debuted on the grand stage during the Expos' fourth history-making game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

His introduction to the majors was nothing short of sensational, mowing down the Cubs' order with ease across nine innings until the night stretched into a 12-inning steel test, narrowly edged by the Cubs.

Morton's premiere in Montreal against the storied Cardinals featured a shorter journey through just four innings and three earned runs. However, after a challenging April and early May, he reemerged in September, coolly delivering six innings across three relief outings.

The 1969 campaign saw him toe the rubber in eight total appearances, making five starts with a 4.60 ERA marker. The Expos couldn't secure a win in those starts, closing the rollercoaster season at 52-110. Despite the rocky start, Morton retained his rookie eligibility for a promising next season.

Initially, Morton’s destiny seemed set for long relief during the 1970 season. Fate had other plans, handing him a starting chance in an April doubleheader against the Giants after early-season relief in Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Chicago.

In a high-pressure scenario, Morton soared with an eight-inning, two-run triumph, earning another start against the Dodgers, yielding just an unearned run over nine stellar innings. Even a five-run hiccup against the Giants couldn’t dim his competitive fire.

While late May presented its challenges, limiting him to just three-inning stints, June and July offered Morton's star the chance to gleam, despite inconsistent performances, his talent started to crackle like fireworks.

Against the Philadelphia Phillies, Morton struck with brilliance, delivering an awe-inspiring complete game shutout. This was just the start of a dominant stretch of eight wins in nine games, grabbing the attention and Rookie of the Year accolade with ten commanding complete games, four as shutouts.

August wasn't as kind, with victories evading him save for one, winding his record to 15-10. A gritty ten-plus innings against the Reds on August 29 ended in loss, with run support vanished, including a nail-biter lost 1-0 courtesy of Hank Aaron's all-important RBI.

To wrap up the season, Morton clinched three more victories, including a pair of jaw-dropping complete game shutouts, one stretching an epic 11 innings against the Cardinals. His season concluded with an 18-11 record, spanning 284.2 innings and a 3.60 ERA.

Handling 112 plate appearances at the plate, Morton managed a .161 average, including two doubles, two home runs, and even laying down a web of productive sacrifices with a couple of sac flies and 11 sac bunts.

Garnering the backing of 11 out of 24 baseball writer voters, Morton claimed the coveted Rookie of the Year honor. Meanwhile, a familiar face in Larry Bowa, destined for five All-Star nods, Gold Gloves, and 1980 World Series triumphs, rounded out the trio of top contenders.

Morton's path glided him eventually back to the Braves post-Expos after two tough campaigns in 1971 and 1972. The fresh chapter reignited his career's spark, ushering in a refreshing streak of success.

Facing his ex-Expos comrades brought extra zest to Morton bent on bewitching those former teammates. Slashing into 11 battles, 10 of those starting showdowns, against the Expos, Morton shrugged off past affiliations posting 8-1 triumphs with a matched ERA of 3.41.

Rocking the rubber against the Expos for the first Atlanta showdown on June 7, Morton scattered two earned runs over six innings for the win. Two subsequent victories only cemented his winning touch over the Expos across different stages that season.

In the warming Atlanta spotlight, Morton mustered a respectable 52-47 record during three and a half seasons, resonating a 3.47 ERA. Adding 29 complete games and eight shutouts to his legacy, his arsenal held potency with win seasons spanning 15 to 17 through the prime years. The hiccup of 1976 led to a brief Texas Rangers chapter, though major league play was just out of grasp.

When the final act faded, Morton tallied an 87-92 major league finishing ribbon, housing a 3.73 ERA and proudly 650 strikeouts. While the encore never arrived, echoes of “what-if” dance teasingly behind tales of unfulfilled potential.

Morton found a temporary calling winding up in the Phillies' AAA ranks in 1977, pitching a 9-12 record with a 3.32 ERA for the Oklahoma City 89ers. As the curtain drew near at 33, with major league dreams waning, Morton embraced the next chapter as a mentor and coach.

Remembering Carl Morton: A Look Back at the Iconic Rookie of the Year from the Montreal Expos in 1970

As we honor what would have been Carl Morton's 80th birthday, we revisit his incredible 1970 season when he earned the title of Rookie of the Year during the second season of the Montreal Expos.

Born on January 18, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, Carl Morton's legacy is celebrated this week as we reminisce about his journey to the big leagues with the Montreal Expos.