Jacques Doucet, the ‘Voice of the Expos’ for 33 seasons, dies at 86

Jacques Doucet, the renowned "Voice of the Expos" for an impressive 33 seasons, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 86. The cause of death was not disclosed, but Doucet had previously revealed his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in 2024. His longtime partner and mentor, Marc Griffin, expressed his deep sorrow, stating that Doucet's voice had been an integral part of Expos fans' lives for generations.

Griffin recalled how Doucet made him fall in love with baseball and noted the unique bond they shared, as Doucet's broadcasts felt like a conversation with a close friend. The loss of this beloved broadcaster has been mourned by many in the baseball community, including fellow broadcasters Denis Casavant and Alain Usereau, who praised Doucet for his generosity, kindness, and influence on their careers.

Quebec Premier Christine Frechette also paid tribute, highlighting the lasting impact Doucet had on generations of baseball fans. Born in Montreal on March 8, 1940, Doucet's career began as a sports journalist with The Canadian Press in 1959 and later covered the Expos for La Presse when the team started playing in 1969. He called about one game a week before becoming the team's full-time French-language radio play-by-play announcer in 1972, a role he held until the Expos left Montreal in 2004.

Despite initially doubting his suitability for broadcasting, Doucet went on to call over 5,500 Major League Baseball games, including Dennis Martinez's perfect game for the Expos in 1991. His contributions to the sport extended beyond broadcasting, as he helped develop and popularize French-language baseball terminology, writing several books on the subject.

Doucet received numerous accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, the Expos Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.