Montreal is not known for its warm weather in early April. However, for the first time the Expos were not concerned about the weather. Instead of fighting the elements at Jerry Park, the ball club was warm and dry inside Olympic Stadium. Montreal had hosted the Summer Olympics the previous summer and now Olympic Stadium was the Expos’ new home. After splitting their first four games on the road, Montreal came home to christen their new ballpark on April 15, 1977. 57,592 fans greeted the Expos as they faced eventual Cy Young winner Steve Carlton. In the Bottom of the 3rd Inning, the Phillies had given Carlton a 3-0 lead. The excitement of Opening Day in a new ballpark was fading. After retiring the first two batters, Montreal’s starting Right Fielder Ellis Valentine stepped to the plate and drove Carlton’s pitch over the high outfield wall. Valentine cut into the lead and gave the fans something to cheer about with the first Home Run in Olympic Stadium.

Ellis Valentine was born on July 30, 1954 in Helena, Arkansas. His family did not stay in the South long, moving to Los Angeles when Ellis was 3 years old. A natural athlete that garnered plenty of attention, Valentine broke his leg and needed surgery to insert a metal rod during the summer before his senior year at Crenshaw High School, the same school that later produced Darryl Strawberry. The injury limited him to playing only First Base. Despite the setback, the Montreal Expos drafted Valentine in the Second Round with the 29th overall pick of the 1972 MLB Draft. He was selected one round before Montreal selected another high schooler from California, Gary Carter. 

It did not take long for Valentine to reach Montreal. He debuted for the Expos on September 3, 1975 at just 21 years old. His talents led to a successful 10 season career with four different teams: Montreal Expos (1975-1981), New York Mets (1981-1982), California Angels (1983), and Texas Rangers (1985). Valentine played in 894 career Games, scored 380 Runs, collected 881 Hits, 169 Doubles, 15 Triples, 123 Home Runs, 474 RBI, 59 Stolen Bases, 180 Walks, 462 Strikeouts, posted a .278 BA, .315 OBP, .458 SLG, .773 OPS, and 113 OPS+. He was the lone Expos All Star in 1977. 

The best season of Valentine’s career came with the 1978 Expos. He played in 151 Games, scored 75 Runs, collected 165 Hits, 35 Doubles, 2 Triples, 25 Home Runs, 76 RBI, 13 Stolen Bases, 35 Walks, 88 Strikeouts, posted a .289 BA, .330 OBP, .489 SLG, .820 OPS, and 129 OPS+. Valentine set career highs in Games Played, Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, Walks, Strikeouts, and Total Bases. He also tied his career high in Home Runs. On defense, Valentine won his only Gold Glove.

Despite having the best season of his career, Valentine created controversy. In addition to hitting the first Home Run at Olympic Stadium, he was also the first Expo to be suspended. On September 19 against the Phillies, Valentine led off the Bottom of the 4th inning. He drove a ball to left-center. Valentine watched as the ball bounced off the top of the wall and stayed in play. He took off, hustling into Second Base while the fans booed. As Dick Ruthven settled in to face the next batter, Tony Perez, he wheeled around and threw to Second, starting a rundown. Valentine was eventually tagged out. Showered by jeers while leaving the field, Valentine shrugged his shoulders. He repeated the act in a mock curtain call. Expos Manager Dick Williams pulled Valentine from the game, suspended him for the next game, and fined him $500. 

The highs and lows of Valentine’s career continued. In May 1980, his cheek was shattered by a pitch to the face. The trauma was more than physical. How could it not? You are not human if a bone breaking baseball to the face does not give you pause as you step into the batter’s box. Beyond the physical toll of playing baseball on Montreal’s hard turf, Valentine’s alcohol and drug use took a toll on his career.  

Eventually Valentine needed a fresh start and was traded to the Mets for Dan Norman and Jeff Reardon in May 1981. His stay in Queens lasted a season and a half before he was granted free agency. Valentine signed with the California Angels for the 1983 season. Injuries plagued Valentine, allowing him to play only two Minor League games in 1984. He was released after the season. He played 11 games with the Texas Rangers in 1985 before calling it a career. 

Ellis Valentine fought his demons and won in retirement, getting sober in 1986. A victory far greater than any he could ever achieve on the diamond. Valentine has worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, helping others fight their addictions. In 1991, Ellis Valentine appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot. He received a single vote, 0.2%, far below the necessary 5% to remain on the ballot. Ellis Valentine had plenty of talent, but the grind of baseball, injuries, and addiction took their toll on his career. He found sobriety off the diamond after contributing to the game. 

DJ