Remembering Jacques Doucet: Iconic French-Language Voice of Baseball

Jacques Doucet, the renowned French-language radio broadcaster for the Montreal Expos and a key figure in Quebec baseball, passed away on Thursday evening. His family announced his death on Friday, marking his age at 86 years.

In 2024, Doucet had disclosed his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on March 8, 1940, in Montreal, he initiated his journalism career with the Canadian Press, later transitioning to sports reporting.

When Montreal was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise in 1968, Doucet was assigned by La Presse to cover the Expos. In 1969, during the inaugural season at Jarry Park, he began contributing to their French-language broadcasts while also serving as an official scorer.

Broadcasting Career and Influence

In 1972, Doucet commenced his full-time role as the French-language play-by-play announcer for the Expos, staying in this position for 33 seasons until the team relocated in 2004. During his tenure, Doucet called over 5,500 major league games, including postseason and World Series games, contributing to the evolution of French baseball terminology in Quebec.

Following the Expos’ move, Doucet continued to broadcast for the Quebec Capitales until 2011 and later for TVA Sports, where he covered the Toronto Blue Jays games in French.

Accomplishments and Legacy

Doucet’s contributions to baseball have been recognized extensively. In 2002, he was inducted into the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame and the following year into the Montreal Expos Hall of Fame. He also received the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award in 2004 and was formally inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

His death follows that of Rodger Brulotte, his long-term co-broadcaster, emphasizing the end of an era for the beloved duo who significantly impacted Quebec’s baseball community.

The Toronto Blue Jays acknowledged Doucet’s contribution on social media, extending condolences and highlighting his enduring impact on baseball in Quebec and Canada.

We join the MLB community and our colleagues at TVA Sports in extending our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jacques Doucet. The ‘Voice of Baseball’ in Quebec and a Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer — his impact on the game and the Montreal Expos will be remembered forever.