Steve Rogers
Montreal Expos starting pitcher from 1973 to 1985, five-time All-Star and the 1982 MLB ERA leader.
Steve Rogers, born Stephen Douglas Rogers on October 26, 1949, is a former starting pitcher who spent his whole Major League career, 1973 to 1985, with the Montreal Expos. He was a five-time All-Star and led the majors in earned run average in 1982. He is the only player with a career of ten years or more to have played all of it for the Expos.
Last updated 2026-10-11 from the source article.
Quick Facts
- Born
- October 26, 1949, Jefferson City, Missouri
- Bats / throws
- Right; Right
- Debut
- July 18, 1973
- Final game
- May 19, 1985
- Strikeouts
- 1,621
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Montreal drafted Rogers fourth overall in the first round of the 1971 draft, after he had played college baseball at the University of Tulsa. He debuted on July 18, 1973, and went 10-5 with a 1.54 ERA that year, finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He started nine Opening Day games for the Expos, eight in a row from 1976 to 1983. His best season came in 1982, when he went 19-8, threw four shutouts, led National League pitchers with a 2.40 ERA and won the All-Star Game played at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
Reader's Guide
In the 1981 postseason Rogers beat Steve Carlton and the Phillies twice in the Division Series, including a complete-game shutout in the deciding Game 5, where his own single drove in both runs. He also won Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. Pitching in relief in Game 5 of that series on two days' rest, he gave up a home run to Rick Monday that cost Montreal the pennant, a decision fans still argue about. Across those four postseason games he went 3-1 with a 0.97 ERA.
Did You Know?
- Rogers gave up Pete Rose's 3,000th career hit on May 5, 1978.
- He studied petroleum engineering at the University of Tulsa.
- Manager Dick Williams called Rogers a fraud in his book No More Mister Nice Guy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Steve Rogers' career record?
Over 13 seasons he went 158-152 with a 3.17 ERA and 1,621 strikeouts.
Did Steve Rogers play for any team besides the Expos?
Not in the majors. He later signed with the California Angels and Chicago White Sox but pitched for neither.
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