1969 05-18 Braves at Expos

The Thomas Paine Podcast presents a live radio broadcast from Jarry Park in Montreal on May 18, 1969, capturing the Atlanta Braves' 8-3 victory over the Montreal Expos in a rain-shortened game. The broadcast opens with a vibrant preview of the Expos' upcoming road trip and a sellout crowd of 29,062 fans, setting an electric tone. Atlanta built a 4-1 lead by the fifth inning, fueled by strong performances from Hank Aaron and Rico Carty, including a three-run rally in the third. Manager Gene Mock was ejected after arguing a call, marking a turning point. The Expos rallied in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on a Mack Jones double to cut the deficit to 4-3. However, the Braves exploded in the seventh inning with three consecutive home runs off Expos reliever Roy Face—by Felix Meehan, Hank Aaron, and Cleet Boyer—sealing the game. The contest was called in the top of the eighth due to persistent rain, making it official after 7.5 innings. Throughout the broadcast, live updates on the Apollo 11 mission, now en route to the moon, added a historic layer of excitement, reflecting the era’s space race fervor. The episode closes with recaps of other MLB games, including the Phillies' narrow win over the Giants and the Orioles' shutout of the Royals, while promoting the final game of the series the next day at 1:35 PM.