March 7, 2023

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Dan McGinn hit the first home run in Montreal Expos history and was prominent in two opening-day games as a pitcher for the team in their inaugural season in 1969.

McGinn is being remembered fondly with the sad news he passed away March 1. He was 79.

McGinn was claimed by the Expos in the 1968 expansion draft from the Cincinnati Reds and pitched for Montreal from 1969 to 1971.

In the franchise's first game in New York April 8, McGinn homered to lay claim as the first Montreal player to hit a home run, a solo blast off the great Tom Seaver.

In that same game, McGinn became the first relief pitcher in Montreal's history, taking over from starter Mudcat Grant as the Expos squeaked out an 11-10 win.

In the Expos' home opener at Jarry Park on April 14, McGinn spun 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the win as Montreal topped St. Louis 8-7.

McGinn's obituary also states he was the first Expos' pitcher to "pick off a baserunner.''

McGinn produced identical 7-10 records for the Montreal in 1969 and 1970 and then slipped to 1-4 in 1971.

McGinn was born and raised in Omaha, Neb., and was a multi-sport athlete at both Cathedral high school in Omaha and the University of Notre Dame, where he enjoyed a ''full-ride scholarship'', according to his obituary.