Wednesday, June 18, 2014

#22 WILLIE MONTANEZ

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1970'S
#22 WILLIE MONTANEZ
ATLANTA BRAVES 1976-1977

"Pass the mustard!" Braves announcer Ernie Johnson often said when describing Willie Montanez (He was a bit of a hot dog, you see.) He did have a pretty swing and follow through, though it did give him the appearance of being nonchalant at times. His most memorable trait was as the first baseman receiving a put out, the way he would pop his foot off the base to the point that it often appeared he had left the base too soon for the runner to be called out. But I got to admit, he had that maneuver down. It's weird looking back on his career and realizing that Willie spent less than two years as a Brave. Certainly seemed like more. Career Brave highlights included a six RBI game against the Mets and Jon Matlack on July 11, 1976. However, the Montanez for Darrell Evans trade is one you can put in the Braves rapidly growing "ill-advised transactions of the 70's" file.


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