On October 3, 2004, Marc Griffin, a Montreal Expos radio broadcasts analyst, concluded the final report in the baseball club’s history with the words: “Let me remind you of the final score: 1969-2004.”
Today, he could conclude his report by stating “1940-2026.”
Jacques Doucet, Griffin’s long-time broadcast partner and mentor, known as the “Voice of the Expos” for calling the team’s games for 33 seasons, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 86, as confirmed by his daughter Martine on social media Friday. Although the cause of death was not disclosed, Doucet had revealed in 2024 that he was battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Griffin expressed in an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday, “He was certainly a giant, and his loss is immense. His voice was part of our lives for generations. He’s the one who made me fall in love with baseball.”
Doucet played a significant role in developing and popularizing the French-language baseball terminology, aiding francophone fans in following a sport dominated by English terms.
Tributes poured in for the broadcaster whose voice became synonymous with baseball for generations of francophone fans in Quebec.
Denis Casavant, a broadcaster who worked alongside Doucet at CKAC and TVA Sports, expressed gratitude to Jacques for his influence on his career as a play-by-play announcer. RDS baseball broadcaster Alain Usereau mentioned that Doucet’s impact was felt throughout the Quebec baseball community.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette also paid tribute, stating that the province had lost “a voice that left its mark on generations of baseball fans.”
Born on March 8, 1940, in Montreal, Doucet commenced his career as a sports journalist with The Canadian Press in 1959 and later covered the Expos for Montreal newspaper La Presse when the team started playing in 1969.
Initially uncertain about broadcasting, Doucet transitioned from a sports reporter to the team’s full-time French-language radio play-by-play announcer in 1972, a position he held until the Expos relocated to Washington after the 2004 season.
Doucet’s broadcasting career spanned over 5,500 Major League Baseball games, including memorable moments like Dennis Martinez’s perfect game for the Expos in 1991. Despite the challenges, including the departure of the Expos and being overlooked for broadcasting honors, Doucet’s passion for baseball endured.
After the Expos’ departure, Doucet unexpectedly found a new broadcasting opportunity with the Quebec Capitales and later returned to Major League Baseball broadcasts with TVA Sports, calling Toronto Blue Jays games and MLB playoff action in French until his final innings in September 2022.
Doucet’s contributions were recognized with inductions into various baseball halls of fame and awards, including the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award and the Quebec National Assembly’s Medal of Honour. He also authored several books, further cementing his legacy in the baseball community.