Expos Pick Stenhouse Fourth in Draft

Crimson senior outfielder Mike "Sten" Stenhouse has been waiting for six months for somebody, anybody, to buy the Oakland A's form Charlie O. Finley. Now, that wait is over.

No, Charlie O. didn't sell the team--and as of now it hasn't moved to Denver--but the Montreal Expos did pick Stenhouse fourth overall in the secondary phase (for previously picked players) of yesterday's amateur draft.

The Expos now have exclusive rights to negotiate with the three-time All-American, who was first picked last June by Oakland. Stenhouse said, "I'm 99-per cent sure I'll sign." "They're a very reasonable organization, and I don't think I'm unreasonable," Stenhouse said, adding he is looking forward to a career as an Expo.

Since losing Tony Perez in last fall's free agent draft, Montreal lacks depth at first base, and Stenhouse added "I think that's what they're looking at me for."

Jim Fanning, Montreal's vice president and director of player development, was enthusiastic about Stenhouse's prospects. "We'll develop his skills, and hopefully we'll make a major league player out of him," he said yesterday. To people who have seen him play, that doesn't seem too unreasonable.

Sten said being picked by a team like the Expos was "something that we were looking for last year" when he was unable to reach an agreement with the Oakland club.

A player known for his cheery disposition and text-book swing, Stenhouse said, "I just want to play ball. I don't care where."

He added that the will take the next semester off for spring training. But maybe he ought to stay at Harvard and take French Ca.