{"product_id":"1971-winnipeg-whips-official-game-program","title":"1971 Winnipeg Whips Official Game Program","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn original 1971 official game program from the \u003cstrong\u003eWinnipeg Whips\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Triple-A affiliate of the Montreal Expos in the International League. A wonderful piece of Manitoba baseball history and early Canadian major-league era memorabilia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Winnipeg Whips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Winnipeg Whips (1970–1971) were a professional baseball team that played in the \u003cstrong\u003eInternational League (IL)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the top Triple-A circuits in North America. The club served as the Triple-A affiliate of the \u003cstrong\u003eMontreal Expos\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them doubly significant to Canadian baseball fans — the Expos were themselves only in their second year of existence when the Whips began play in 1970, making Winnipeg a key development hub for that young franchise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team played home games at \u003cstrong\u003eWinnipeg Stadium\u003c\/strong\u003e and drew strong early interest from local fans eager to see the next generation of major-league talent. Unfortunately, despite the enthusiasm, the Whips' run was brief — the franchise folded after just two seasons, making surviving programs and memorabilia from this era genuinely scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNotable Players from the Whips Era\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of their Expos affiliation, the Whips served as a launching pad for several players who went on to careers in the major leagues during the early 1970s:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRon Fairly\u003c\/strong\u003e – Veteran first baseman and outfielder who had connections to the early Expos organization during this transitional era.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarl Morton\u003c\/strong\u003e – Right-handed pitcher who was a key part of the early Expos system and won NL Rookie of the Year in 1970 with Montreal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Boccabella\u003c\/strong\u003e – Catcher\/first baseman who moved through the Expos affiliate chain and spent several seasons with Montreal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eErnie McAnally\u003c\/strong\u003e – Pitcher active in the Expos minor-league system during this period who appeared with Montreal in the early 1970s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBob Bailey\u003c\/strong\u003e – Versatile infielder\/outfielder who was part of the Expos' early roster mix during this era.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: Rosters fluctuated frequently in minor-league baseball. For a verified, complete roster listing for this specific 1971 season, please consult Baseball Reference or the program itself.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1971\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeam:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winnipeg Whips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeague:\u003c\/strong\u003e International League (Triple-A)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMLB Affiliate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montreal Expos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Official Game Program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eGood (there is writing in the centre scoring section, and some evidence of moisture damage--staples are rusty and there are some small brown spots on centre pages)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes: \u003c\/strong\u003eOne page insert with lists of current Whips and Expos players (some writing on the page)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all photos carefully. Condition is as shown. A rare survival from one of Winnipeg's only professional baseball franchises.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Portage MCC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":71316462960893,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/9597\/7651\/files\/1971_Winnipeg_Whips_Official_Game_Program.jpg?v=1789663578","url":"https:\/\/portagemcc.com\/products\/1971-winnipeg-whips-official-game-program","provider":"Portage MCC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}