Episode 8: Tim Raines: A Love Story

Fadeaway: The Baseball History Podcast

Tim Raines wasn't allowed to play for the Expos until May 2, 1987.

Thanks to an obscure technicality in MLB's labor rules, Tim Raines was banned from baseball for the first month of the 1987 season. He returned with a legendary performance, singlehandedly beating the world champion New York Mets in a nationally televised matchup on NBC's Game of the Week. Fadeaway kicks off Season 2 -- and celebrates Tim Raines's recent Hall of Fame election -- by looking back at the most memorable game of his career. This special Valentine's Day episode also tells the story of a charming romance that was unwittingly sparked by Raines's memorable game.

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Rob Mains's scorecard from May 2, 1987, the first baseball game he attended with his future wife, Amy.

Rob Mains's poignant sponsorship of Tim Raines's page on Baseball-Reference.com was an anniversary present for his wife, Amy.

When the Expos hosted the 1982 All-Star Game at Stade Olympique, five Expos made the National League team. From left to right: Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Steve Rogers, Tim Raines, and Al Oliver.

In 1988, Donruss issued this "Diamond Kings" card of Tim Raines, with artwork by Dick Perez.

Tim Raines hits a 10th-inning grand slam to finish off one of the most memorable hitting performances in Expos history.

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EPISODE BOX SCORE

INTERVIEWS

Rob Mains

BOOKS

Keri, Jonah. Up, Up, and Away: The Kid, the Hawk, Rock, Vladi, Pedro, le Grand Orange, Youppi!, the Crazy Business of Baseball, and the Ill-fated but Unforgettable Montreal Expos. Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2015.

ARTICLES

Brown, Craig. “Collusion and the no-risk free agents of 1988.” The Hardball Times, February 29, 2008.

Chass, Murray. “7 in Baseball Collusion Case Win Free Agency.” The New York Times, January 23, 1988.

Fimrite, Ron. “Don't Knock The Rock.” Sports Illustrated, June 25, 1984.

Gammons, Peter. “The Best Money Can Buy.” Sports Illustrated, December 14, 1987.

Gammons, Peter. “Light Years Ahead Of The Field.” Sports Illustrated, July 28, 1986.

Gammons, Peter. “Playing Hardball.” Sports Illustrated, January 12, 1987.

Kaplan, Jim. "Raines Really Pours it On." Sports Illustrated, May 11, 1981.

Maisel, Ivan. “Ball Park Figures? Better Believe It.” Sports Illustrated, March 4, 1985.

Pearlman, Jeff. "Like a Rock." Sports Illustrated, April 16, 2001.

Wulf, Steve. “A Tale of Two Cities.” Sports Illustrated, July 18, 1983.

MUSIC

Fadeaway’s title theme is “Under Suspicion” by Lee Rosevere. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“Run to Canada” by Min-Y-Llan. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“O Canada” by mathgrant. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“High on Desire (French version)” by Sky Parade. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“Life We Found” by Mercury and the Architects. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“Badlands” by Cory Gray. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“Chant Quebecois” by Goodbeans. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of Soundcloud.

“First” by Overlake. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“The Winter of My First Love” by Dazie Mae. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“L’amour Ailleurs” by Unique Comme Tout le Monde. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“Lovers Rock” by TV Girl. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“For My Love (Au Canada)” by Darby McCoy. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“I Will Wait For You” by Scott Gratton. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

“When It Rains” by Howard Fishman. Licensed through Creative Commons, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

SOUND EFFECTS

Chicken squawk sound by Zajjman, courtesy of the Free Sound Library.

VALEDICTION

Today’s closing quote is by Warren Cromartie.