Expos will retire Raines' number

[WebHamster]

Viera, FL (Sports Network) - The Expos will officially retire the number 30, worn by former Montreal star outfielder Tim Raines, in a special ceremony at Olympic Stadium prior to the team's game against the Chicago White Sox on June 19.

The 44-year-old Raines played for Montreal from 1979-90, and returned to the Expos for one season in 2001. He is the team's all-time leader in stolen bases (635), runs scored (947), triples (82) and walks (793), and ranks among the Expos' top three all-time in nearly every offensive category.

Raines represented Montreal in seven straight All-Star Games from 1981-87, won the National League batting title in 1986 (.334) and the league's stolen base crown four straight seasons (1981-84), reaching a career high of 90 steals in 1983.

In 23 seasons with seven different teams, Raines hit .294 with 170 homers, 980 RBI and 808 steals. After his first 12 seasons with Montreal, he also played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland, Baltimore and Florida. The switch-hitter played in 2,502 career games, and retired after the 2002 season with the Marlins.

Raines will be the fourth player in Montreal's franchise history to have his number retired, joining outfielders Rusty Staub and Andre Dawson (both #10) and catcher Gary Carter (#8).

In December, the Expos hired Raines to manage the club's Single-A affiliate, the Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League.