Legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Rodger Brulotte dies at 79

March 20, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Rodger Brulotte has died at the age of 79.

Brulotte, who called major league games for TVA Sports as recently as last summer, underwent surgery for a cancerous tumor on his spine in September.

The cancer returned in recent months.

“Rodger Brulotte was a broadcasting legend whose name was synonymous with the Montreal Expos and with baseball in Quebec,” said the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in a statement. “Over his more than four decades calling Expos and Toronto Blue Jays games, he developed into one of the most respected baseball broadcasters and analysts in our country’s history. His passion for the game was evident in every call he made. We were proud to recognize him with our Jack Graney Award in 2013.

“Rodger was also a strong supporter of baseball at the grassroots level and a tireless advocate for Quebec players. He has left an indelible mark on baseball in Canada. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

Pro baseball beginnings

Born in Montreal on January 4, 1947, Brulotte began working in the Expos’ scouting department in their inaugural 1969 season. The following year, he was named administrative assistant to the team’s director of scouting, Mel Didier.

“In 1970, I became assistant to the director of international player recruitment. I had the opportunity to contribute to the signing of legendary players like Gary Carter, Steve Rogers and Larry Parrish,” Brulotte said in a 2024 interview with the Webzine Le 76.

His knowledge, charisma and strong work ethic later landed him prominent roles in the Expos’ public relations and marketing department and as the team’s travelling secretary in 1977 and 1978. Brulotte also contributed to the creation of Youppi!, the Expos’ popular mascot who was often a greater ballpark attraction than the players.

Broadcasting career begins

In 1983, Brulotte was hired to work broadcasts on the Expos’ French radio network alongside Jacques Doucet. For close to two decades, he teamed with Doucet to call many of the franchise’s most famous moments, including Pete Rose’s 4,000th hit on April 13, 1984 and Dennis Martinez’s perfect game on July 28, 1991.

Along the way, his trademark catchphrases – such as “Bonsoir, elle est partie.” (Good night, it’s gone), which he uttered when the Expos belted a homer – became part of Expos fans’ vernacular.

In addition to his work with the Expos, Brulotte also broadcast numerous all-star games and post-season contests.

After moving to TV, he and his RDS’ Expos TV partner, Denis Casavant, were nominated for a Gemeaux Award – the French language equivalent to a Gemini Award – for excellence in sports broadcasting in 1991 and 1993.

Calling Blue Jays games

More recently, Brulotte had been reunited with Doucet to broadcast Toronto Blue Jays games in French for TVA Sports. Doucet retired in 2022.

For many years, Brulotte also penned a weekly column for Le Journal de Montréal during the baseball season.

“Rodger’s authenticity and kindness made him a beloved figure in the hearts of Quebecers. He brought passion to his work and a rare ability to connect with people. Rodger helped shape the Journal de Montréal’s identity,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor in a statement on Friday. “He was—and always will be—one of its most iconic voices. It was a privilege to be able to count on him during all these years—as a respected columnist for the Journal, a gifted broadcaster on TVA Sports, and above all a friend. On behalf of everyone at Quebecor, I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Pascale Vallée and to all his loved ones and colleagues. He will be profoundly missed.”

Passion for grassroots baseball

Away from the microphone, Brulotte had tenures as director of the Baseball Academy of Canada and as president of the Quebec Junior Elite Baseball League.

Honours and awards

As noted earlier, Brulotte was honoured with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award in 2013. The St. Marys, Ont.-based shrine presents this award annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work.

In 2014, Brulotte was inducted into the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame.

“We join the MLB community and our colleagues at TVA Sports in extending our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Rodger Brulotte,” said the Toronto Blue Jays in a statement on Friday. “Rodger’s impact on the sport and the Montreal Expos will be remembered forever. He will be missed dearly.”