Steve Rogers spent his entire career (1973-1985) with the Montreal Expos. He never won 20 games, but usually had victory totals in the upper teens. Lifetime he was 158-152 with an ERA of 3.17. Steve was a five-time All Star (1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983). Steve was used in relief in game 5 of the divisional series after starting a game two days earlier. He gave up the winning home run to Rick Monday in the 9th inning.
Dick Williams, who managed the Expos for 4 1/2 years (1977-1981) didn't have many kind words to say about Rogers. Steve pitched a lot of innings before bone chips were found in his elbow which required surgery in 1978. He had some good years after the surgery. His best year was in 1982 when he won 19 games and led the league with a 2.40 ERA.
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I remember the big ovation that he got in the 1982 All Star Game (in Montreal) when he started the game for the NL.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that Williams had such little regard for him. He was consistently in the top 5 of pitchers in the NL during that span - and he had an awesome mustache to boot.