Jacques Doucet, the former announcer for the Montreal Expos, passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his family on Friday. He began his role as the team’s commentator in 1969, marking the inaugural season of the Montreal Expos in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Initially providing commentary for approximately one game per week, Doucet, who extensively covered the team for La Presse, transitioned to full-time commentary in 1972 until the team relocated to Washington in 2004. Despite his initial uncertainties about the position, which he shared with the then-president John McHale who had appointed him, Doucet quickly established himself as an integral part of the Montreal baseball scene once he went on air. Over the course of his career, he announced over 5,500 games, including Dennis Martinez’s perfect game on July 28, 1991, along with numerous playoff and World Series matchups.
After thinking his broadcasting career had concluded, Doucet was unexpectedly approached by the Québec Capitales of the Can-Am League, inviting him to serve as their commentator from 2006 to 2011. Subsequently, he joined TVA Sports where he provided commentary for Toronto Blue Jays games and MLB playoffs until September 2022, culminating his final broadcasts alongside former colleagues Rodger Brulotte and Denis Casavant.
In recognition of his contributions to baseball, Jacques Doucet was inducted into the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Expos Hall of Fame a year later. In 2004, he was honored with the Jack Graney Award, an annual accolade bestowed upon a media professional for exceptional contributions to Canadian baseball. On February 4, 2020, he achieved another milestone by becoming the first Francophone, without a baseball playing or managerial background, to be enshrined in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.