Longtime sports broadcaster Jacques Doucet has passed away at the age of 86.
Doucet, who started his career at La Presse Canadienne in 1959, called Montreal Expos games for 33 years. It didn’t take long for baseball fans in Canada to fall in love with his style as a play-by-play announcer. Unfortunately, the franchise left Montreal in 2005 to become the Washington Nationals.
Despite the Expos’ exit, Doucet still called baseball games for TVA Sports. He retired in 2022, however, due to health issues. It was later revealed that he was dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.
Doucet’s daughter confirmed that he passed away Thursday evening.
“We join the MLB community and our colleagues at @TVASports in extending our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jacques Doucet,” the Toronto Blue Jays said. “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.”
Tributes pouring in from MLB fans.
After Doucet’s death was announced, fans went on social media to share their thoughts.
“The voice of my childhood…my adolescence…and even my adulthood. A legend, a true one,” a fan commented.
“As a kid, I remember catching Les Expos in French, understanding none of it, but loving every word of it,” a second fan wrote. “I figured out the ‘lanceur’ pitched & eventually learned about the men w/ those voices, Jacques Doucet & Rodger Brulotte, each of whom has recently passed away. Legends. RIP.”
“An icon for the Expos,” another fan declared.
In case it wasn’t clear before, Doucet was a beloved figure in the baseball community.
Our thoughts are with Doucet’s loved ones.
