The 1996 Montreal Expos season was the 28th season in franchise history. The team finished with an 88–74 record, placing them second in the National League East Division, eight games behind the National League Champion Atlanta Braves and two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Wild Card standings.
League and Division: National League East Ballpark: Olympic Stadium (Montreal) Record: 88–74 (.543) Divisional Place: 2nd Owners: Claude Brochu General Manager: Jim Beattie Manager: Felipe Alou
Offseason Key offseason moves included the selection of Butch Henry off waivers by the Boston Red Sox (October 13, 1995), the signing of free agent Wally Whitehurst (December 1, 1995), the trade of Omar Daal from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rick Clelland (minors) (December 15, 1995), and the signing of Andy Stankiewicz as a free agent (December 20, 1995). Sherman Obando was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Tony Tarasco (March 13, 1996).
Spring Training The Expos held spring training at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium in West Palm Beach, Florida, a facility they shared with the Atlanta Braves. It was their 20th season at the stadium.
Regular Season The season began under tragic circumstances. On Opening Day (April 1) at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapsed on the field and died of a massive heart attack seven pitches into the game. The game was postponed. Reds owner Marge Schott later faced criticism for wanting the game to continue despite the tragedy, stating she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
The Expos set an MLB record by hitting six grand slams before May 1, a feat not equaled until the 2018 Boston Red Sox.
Notable Players and Statistics
Batting (Starters by Position):
- C: Darrin Fletcher — .266, 12 HR, 57 RBI
- 1B: David Segui — .286, 11 HR, 58 RBI
- 2B: Mike Lansing — .285, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 23 SB
- SS: Shane Andrews — .227, 19 HR, 64 RBI
- 3B: Mark Grudzielanek — .306, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 33 SB
- LF: Henry Rodríguez — .276, 36 HR, 103 RBI
- CF: Rondell White — .293, 6 HR, 41 RBI
- RF: Moisés Alou — .281, 21 HR, 96 RBI
Pitching (Starting Pitchers):
- Jeff Fassero: 15–11, 3.30 ERA, 222 strikeouts in 231.2 innings
- Pedro Martínez: 13–10, 3.70 ERA, 222 strikeouts in 216.2 innings
- Rhéal Cormier: 7–10, 4.17 ERA
- Ugueth Urbina: 10–5, 3.71 ERA
- Kirk Rueter: 5–6, 4.58 ERA (traded to San Francisco Giants on July 30)
- Mark Leiter: 4–2, 4.39 ERA (acquired from San Francisco Giants on July 30)
Relief Pitching:
- Mel Rojas: 7–4, 36 saves, 3.22 ERA
- Dave Veres: 6–3, 4 saves, 4.17 ERA
- Mike Dyer: 5–5, 2 saves, 4.40 ERA
- Omar Daal: 4–5, 4.02 ERA
All-Star Game Representatives:
- Pedro Martínez (Pitcher, Reserve)
- Mark Grudzielanek (Infield, Reserve)
- Henry Rodríguez (Outfield, Reserve)
Award Winners:
- Jeff Fassero: National League Pitcher of the Month (June and July)
Transactions:
- June 4, 1996: Milton Bradley was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft.
- July 11, 1996: Jeff Juden was selected off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
- July 30, 1996: Kirk Rueter and Tim Scott were traded to the San Francisco Giants for Mark Leiter.
Farm System: League champions: Harrisburg (Eastern League) and Vermont (New York–Penn League).
Attendance: The Expos drew 1,616,709 fans to Olympic Stadium for the season.
