MLB Franchise Four – Biggest Snubs for Each Team
Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos – Dennis Martinez
Franchise Four: Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero, Tim Raines
Given the fact that the Nationals have only been in Washington for a decade, it is without surprise that the Franchise Four for the team consists of players for the former franchise: the Montreal Expos. There is also no shock in the four players selected, as Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero, and Tim Raines still rank among the best to ever play in the organization, perhaps ever.
However, you’ll notice that there is a complete lack of pitching here. And if we’re considering a pitcher in the Nationals/Expos organization that should be on the team’s Mount Rushmore it would have to be El Presidente, Dennis Martinez.
By the time he made it to Montreal, Martinez already had 108 wins in his back pocket with the Baltimore Orioles. However, that didn’t stop him from adding 100 more with the Expos (2nd in team history). In eight seasons in Montreal, the right-hander would post a 3.06 ERA, a 3.49 FIP, and a 122 ERA+. That included three All-Star appearances for the club and a fifth place finish in the Cy Young voting in 1991 when he led the National League with a 2.39 ERA.
Given the pitching coming through the team now, it is easy to overlook the accomplishments of El Presidente, and he likely still finishes outside of the Franchise Four. However, he is a close fifth.
Next: Orioles - Eddie Murray