Nine uniform numbers retired for Expos 21 years later

ExposFest Gala in Laval pays tribute to many of team’s former stars

Regarded as the most impactful manager in Montreal Expos’ 36-season, major-league history, Felipe Alou remains a deeply spiritual man. Virtually everything in the Canadian Baseball Hall-of-Famer’s life relates back to his faith and what he sees as God’s master plan, giving him the rationale and, therefore, a certain peace for every twist and turn in a life well-lived.

Thus it was, that Alou, the revered, 89-year-old with his own mortality staring him directly in the eye, addressed a crowd of over 1,000 supporters, as cleanup speaker at a Gala dinner in Laval, a suburb of Montreal on Saturday night. He described a journey of serendipitous circumstances that led him to coaching positions in the Expos organization, rather than where he thought he was headed to Double-A coaching with the Yankees. Some 62-years following a small trade that brought an aging former star to the Expos in the twilight of his playing career, in 1973, he offered his thanks and appreciation to Laval, Montreal, to his family, Quebec, Canada and his players he always regarded as family and, of course, to God.

Alou spoke with firm resignation about the distinct chance this appearance would be his final one in public, as his health has deteriorated and his frail body has failed to keep up with an alert mind, that has remained as sharp as when he managed Canada’s only National League team, from 1992-2001. Alou, the eldest of three brothers who all played in the majors, with Jesus and Matty, was born in the Dominican Republic in 1935, played 17 seasons as a first-baseman/outfielder in the majors and now lives, loves and fishes in South Florida. He has been married to his wife, Lucie, who is from Laval, for the past 40 years. He clearly has a special attachment to the city.

Felipe’s speech, as his No. 17 was being retired, was the final one of the night delivered in a softer version of his normal Stentorian tones. He was interrupted four times by the appreciative crowd, who stood and cheered as he took the long and winding road through his career and his love of the Expos experience.

The spiritual essence of Alou shone through, bringing tears to the eyes of many, including his second-baseman Jose Vidro and his nephew and one-time bullpen closer, Mel Rojas. Many in the crowd were equally affected, as it felt like a communal blessing, a sermon on the mound, being delivered by a special leader to his flock. When Felipe had finished his speech and handed the mic back to the event’s MC, Marc Griffin he received another, sustained, standing ovation, with chants of “A-loo, A-loo, A-loo”. In fact, it would not have been a surprise to have seen plumes of “white smoke” rising from a small chimney somewhere in the room much like the pending Papal conclave at the Vatican, on the immediate horizon. It had that feel.

From a personal point of view, I had been asked to do the introduction for former closer Jeff Reardon at the podium leading into his tribute video and number retirement. As I departed the stage, even before Felipe had talked and played our emotions like a banjo, I had the chance to lean in and whisper, “Felipe, I have told you this before, but you remain one of my five favourite men of all time.” He knows that I had first told him this, back in 1994, and he smiled.

The purpose of the annual dinner was as a fundraiser in support of the Pavillon Kat Demes, a yet-to-be-built wing of the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The charity’s tireless organizer, Perry Gee, has raised over $2.2-million via his Expos-centric efforts, through the years, including over $330,000 from this Saturday evening dinner and its surrounding events. Kat, the young girl to whom the Children’s Hospital project is dedicated, was Perry’s niece and died from the insidious disease at an early age. Perry’s background as an event promoter includes bringing Eminem to Canada on one of his first tour of this country in the summer of ’99. He’s not afraid.

ExposFest 2025 Gala:

The nine uniform numbers that were retired at the Gala on Saturday night, included: #83 Charles Bronfman (owner); #45 Steve Rogers (RHP, 1973-85); #29 Tim Wallach (3B 1980-92); #27 Vlad Guerrero (RF 1996-2003); #33 Larry Walker (RF 1989-94); #16 Claude Raymond (RHP 1969-71); #3 Jose Vidro (2B 1997-2004); #41 Jeff Reardon (RHP 1981-86); #17 Felipe Alou (OF-CCH-MGR 1974-79-80-84-92 to 2001).

Other former Expos that gave up some of their own time to come and support the effort for the Pavillon Kat Demes, include 1B-Al Oliver, LHP-Bill Lee, 2B-Dave Cash, RHP-Mel Rojas, RHP-Ray Burris, PxP Dave Van Horne, PxP Rodger Brulotte, UT Wilton Guerrero, IF Brad Fullmer, C Nelson Santovenia, LHP Ross Grimsley, LHP Denis Boucher and OF Marc Griffin. Other special guests were Habs Hall-of-Fame winger, Yvan Cournoyer and Sandy Carter Snell, widow of the late Gary Carter. Sandy had been asked to introduce Steve Rogers for his moment. It was all well done and great to see so many I had worked with from 1973-95.

There is a familiar phrase that sums up the departed Expos and their obvious grip on fans in the city and province, 21 years after the franchise shifted to D.C? “Je me souviens!”