avoided losing 100 games themselves. However, Montañez emerged as one of the few bright spots on the team, leading it with seventeen home runs and 96 runs batted in. Texas Rangers Montañez's fortunes with the Mets turned around substantially in 1979. He was batting only .234 with five home runs and 47 runs batted in when the Mets sent him to the Texas Rangers for two players to be named later. In 71 fewer games with the Rangers, he swatted eight home runs and batted .319. Following the season, he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Tucker Ashford, Joe Carroll and future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry. Montreal Expos The 1980 Montreal Expos were in a tight division race with the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the season. They completed a deadline deal for Montañez on August 31, 1980 for Tony Phillips and cash. In fourteen games with the Montreal Expos, Montañez batted .211 with one run batted in. Return to Philadelphia On August 20, 1981, he was again involved in a trade with John Milner—this time going from the Montreal Expos to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released by the Pirates on July 1, 1982. Ironically, Milner was released by the Expos four days later, and signed with the Pirates later in the month. Montañez signed with the Phillies for the remainder of the season, at the end of which he retired. Montañez had a career .992 fielding percentage at first base, and led National League first basemen in assists in 1975, 1976 and 1978. From 1975 to 1978 he collected 349 runs batted in. Career Statistics See also List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders References External links Willie Montañez at SABR (Baseball BioProject) Willie Montañez at Baseball Almanac Willie Montañez at Baseballbiography.com Willie Montañez at Ultimate Mets Database 1948 births Living people Atlanta Braves players California Angels players Eugene Emeralds players Major League Baseball first basemen Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico Montreal Expos players National League All-Stars New York Mets players Philadelphia Phillies players Philadelphia Phillies scouts People from Cataño, Puerto Rico Pittsburgh Pirates players Puerto Rican expatriate baseball players in Canada San Diego Padres players San Francisco Giants players St. Petersburg Cardinals players Texas Rangers players