Jacques Doucet: A Legendary Voice in Quebec Baseball

The broadcasting world mourns the loss of Jacques Doucet, who passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 86. Doucet, known as the French-language radio voice of the Montreal Expos, was a major influence in Quebec baseball broadcasting. His family announced his passing on Friday.

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

Montreal’s acquisition of a Major League Baseball franchise in 1968 became a pivotal point in Doucet’s career. La Presse assigned him to cover the Expos, and he also took on the role of official scorer at Jarry Park. An occasional radio presence during the Expos’ inaugural season in 1969 soon evolved into a full-time position in 1972.

For 33 seasons, Doucet served as the team’s French-language play-by-play announcer, witnessing over 5,500 major league games until the Expos’ departure from Montreal in 2004. His broadcasts extended to postseason and World Series games.

Doucet’s legacy includes a significant contribution to developing French baseball jargon in Quebec, aiding the game’s linguistic transition from English.He became closely associated with the development of baseball terminology in French.

After the Expos’ relocation to Washington in 2004, Doucet continued his broadcasting journey with Quebec Capitales until 2011 and then joined TVA Sports for Toronto Blue Jays games in French.

His career was decorated with numerous accolades, such as induction into the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Montreal Expos Hall of Fame in 2003. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame honored him with the Jack Graney Award in 2004 and induction in 2020.

Doucet’s passing follows the death of Rodger Brulotte, his longtime broadcasting partner, earlier this year. As central figures in French-language broadcasts, they influenced generations of Quebec baseball fans.

The Toronto Blue Jays paid tribute on social media, acknowledging Doucet’s lasting impact. They expressed condolences and recognized him as the ‘Voice of Baseball’ in Quebec and a Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer.

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