(via the Montreal Gazette)
As you probably know by now, actor Donald Sutherland passed away today in Florida at the age of 88.
While the Canadian born thespian was best known to the world as an actor who captivated audiences for decades with his distinctive appearance and deep resonant voice, my first memories of him in the early 1980's are as a passionate fan of the now long defunct Montreal Expos. Of course, the early 1980's was when I got into baseball and the Expos were the first team for which I rooted. Indeed, I attended my very first MLB game in Montreal watching the Expos lose to the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in 12 innings with my Dad, and maternal grandfather. As I recall, Sutherland was at the game.
For a time, Sutherland was as much of a fixture at Expos game in Olympic Stadium as Jack Nicholson was on courtside during L.A. Lakers games. He even cheered for them on the road whether at Shea Stadium to play against the New York Mets or at Veterans Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies.
As you can see, he is pictured above sitting in the Expos dugout listening intently to future Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams. The picture was taken in 1981, the only season the Expos made the post-season before departing for D.C. in 2005. Williams would not last through that strike-shortened season being replaced by Jim Fanning early that September.
Sutherland would lend his voice to a two-part documentary series titled Les Expos Nos Amours covering their first 20 years of existence in both Jarry Park and Olympic Stadium telling the story of Les Expos as only he could.
Last October, when Canada Post honored Sutherland with a stamp, while lamenting about the early exit of the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2023 MLB post-season, Sutherland made a point of stating, “Of course, my team is the Expos. They’re gone.”
Sadly, Donald Sutherland is gone too. R.I.P.
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