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Who tore my heart to shreds?

When I was young, almost every year I had the pleasure of attending at least one Expos game in Montreal. My father made sure to buy tickets for a double bill (yes, there were regular double bills in those days) to maximize the trip from Charlevoix to the Metropolis on sunny summer days.

For me, it was a unique opportunity to see my idols up close. Dawson, Rogers, Parrish and Cromartie were taking shape before my eyes. Despite the years that have gone by, I’m still a fan of this lost dealership, which still evokes in me my passion for this iconic sport.

Today, I visit Montreal regularly for work, and it would have been nice to combine business with pleasure by enjoying the presence of a Major League Baseball team just a few steps from my hotel. Unfortunately, the dream of seeing the Expos back in town is dwindling with each passing year, because financially speaking, we’re no longer pulling our weight. The weakness of the Canadian dollar and the economic context make us the third world of professional sports, and make the return of a Major League franchise to our city a long shot.

It’s true to say that it was money that killed baseball in Montreal, as Alexandre Pratt (La Presse) mentions in the documentary Qui a tué les Expos de Montréal, currently available on Netflix. I have a look of deep frustration on my face after listening to this documentary, which tells us more about the circumstances surrounding the Expos’ departure for Washington in 2004. Not that the production is bad, on the contrary, but seeing the destructive events presented to us in Overtime leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.

Beyond the money, it was Bud Selig and the 29 other owners of Major League Baseball who were the real gravediggers of Nos Amours. The conservative American executives had decided the Expos’ fate at the very moment Charles Bronfman decided to put his club up for sale due to successive and growing deficits. Selig and his gang, a few years later, merely concretized (by means of skilfully prepared scenarios) the team’s transfer to other climes. As the mayor of Washington put it when the team’s move was announced: this is an American sport and this team belongs to us. It couldn’t be clearer.

For the other 28 owners (excluding those of the Blue Jays), it was inconceivable that two Major League Baseball teams would operate north of the U.S. border. Toronto remains the only Canadian city with a Major League baseball team, and seeing them in the World Series right now makes me smile and sad at the same time. I’m happy for the Jays fans (many of whom are young Québécois), but I’m thinking that we would have deserved to experience this moment as we did in 1994, when the Expos were sailing happily towards the title before a labor dispute pulled the rug out from under us. It was inconceivable to rich Americans that a Canadian team could win the title three years in a row.

In the end, Expos fans were the big losers in all these orchestrated backroom games featuring the unloved Claude Brochu and the contemptuous Jeffrey Loria and David Samson. The club’s minority shareholders and Brochu’s partners at the time also had their say in the story, failing to put their big egos aside when they needed to. No one in the group had the real financial wherewithal to keep the dream alive, and so they fell into the trap of turning to the toxic Loria-Samson duo.

Selig and his henchmen did the rest of the work, acquiring the dealership and allowing Loria to afford the Florida Marlins. From then on, the moving process began. Remember the shared custody with Puerto Rico, what a joke!

It would have been nice to see some baseball in Montreal during my business trips, but life and money decided otherwise.

Go Jays Go!

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Rodger Brulotte diagnosed with cancer

Those who watch baseball on TVA Sports will have noticed that Rodger Brulotte hasn’t been around for a few weeks now. And now, in a text published by Marc De Foy, who spoke to the man himself, the big name in Quebec baseball has revealed the real reason.

He has cancer.

Back pain prompted Rodger to undergo tests, and that’s when his doctor told him he had a cancerous tumor on his sixth dorsal vertebra.

It’s been a tough few weeks for one of the faces of Quebec baseball.

We already knew that Rodger Brulotte had undergone back surgery, but we didn’t know how serious the situation was. The principal didn’t want to talk about it beforehand, to avoid making people feel sorry for him.

He spent several weeks away from home. But now he’s getting better. That’s good news!

Of course, the timing of his illness is unfortunate for the man who has given his life to baseball. After all, not only are the playoffs in full swing, but the Blue Jays are on fire – and the World Series is on TVA Sports this year.

Denis Casavant has been with Karl Gélinas for a few weeks now. And together, they’re doing a great job of mic’ing Blue Jays games.

We agree that Rodger would have loved to analyze these games. I imagine, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s fiery series this year, that the famous analyst would have had fun describing it all.

But health is more important.

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“We don’t need you”: Shohei Ohtani in the crowd’s bad graces

Two years ago, Shohei Ohtani was a free agent. We know that he chose to sign with the Dodgers, but we also know that he considered Toronto as the next step in his career.

He visited the club in Florida and was rumoured to be on a plane to Toronto before signing his contract. In short, there was a lot of talk.

All of which is to say that while he may have visited Toronto in 2024 with the Dodgers, his current visit is different. In the middle of the World Series, emotions are different because the stakes are so high.

It all started with the players’ pre-game introductions. While Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez received applause from the crowd, Ohtani was loudly booed.

Then, during the match, which was easily won by the Blue Jays on a score of 11-4 via a big nine-point inning, Ohtani continued to be booed. In particular, he was booed when he hit his two-run home run in the seventh, which made little difference in the end.

Then, at the very end of the game, the fans at the Rogers Centre went one step further: they shouted “we don’t need you” at Ohtani when he came up to bat.

There’s clearly been a lot of chatter on social networks since last night.

So far, showing a bit of arrogance (whether it’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after the series against the Yankees, or the way he celebrated after the series against the Mariners in the locker room, or this) has served the Blue Jays and their fans well.

Will it continue? We’ll see.

It’s worth noting, however, that this isn’t the only thing that has people talking on the heels of yesterday’s game. There are a number of elements that have enabled the Blue Jays to take the lead in the World Series.

1. Blake Snell got off to the worst start of his playoff career, having never allowed eight hits and five runs in a playoff game. It didn’t help his team’s cause.

Will he have a chance to bounce back?

2. As for Trey Yesavage, he didn’t have his best arsenal last night: he lacked control. Removing him after four innings was the right thing to do under the circumstances, to avoid damage.

But hats off to him for his first inning and for finding a way to limit the damage. He kept his team in the game by not giving the Dodgers a big inning.

3. Obviously, the two teams don’t have the best reliever corps. But yesterday, the Blue Jays’ bullpen got about 15 outs while giving up only two runs (Shohei Ohtani’s home run) at a time when the game was out of reach for L.A.

The Dodgers’ bullpen gave up six runs in four innings. Snell also had three earned runs scored while the reliever was on the field.

4. Addison Barger slept on Davis Schneider’s sofa bed last night at the hotel overlooking the Rogers Centre. He needed a place at the last second because his parents were in town.

But that didn’t stop him from hitting the first grand slam by an alternate hitter in World Series history. And it didn’t stop him from saying no to Big Papi when he wanted to give him a Red Sox jersey after the game.

5. An inning of at least nine runs in the World Series has only happened three times in World Series history. The 1929 Philadelphia A’s and the 1968 Tigers scored 10 runs.

History was made for the Blue Jays, who yesterday scored nine more runs than the Brewers in the entire National Championship Series.

6. We knew the Blue Jays’ ability to put the ball in play was working in their favor. They were retired only four times on strikes in the entire game – all four times by the starting pitcher.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, had 13 strikeouts in yesterday’s game.

7. Just a week ago, when Anthony Santander went down fighting, Bo Bichette was in no position to make the Blue Jays’ roster. So I didn’t think he was going to be able to play defensively in the World Series.

He’s proven he’s getting better. Good for him and his club.

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World Series: Blue Jays destroy Dodgers in Game 1

Finally! The first game of the World Series took place tonight (Friday), when the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, took on the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. For the occasion, young Trey Yesavage took to the mound for the Blue Jays, while left-hander Blake Snell did the same for the California outfit.

After missing a golden opportunity in the first inning with the bases loaded, the Jays saw the Dodgers take the lead on the very next half-inning, courtesy of a timely single by the ever-dangerous Kiké Hernandez that scored Teoscar Hernandez.

Then, in the third, Will Smith doubled his side’s lead with another single, this time Mookie Betts crossing the plate.

But in the bottom of the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho set the record straight, his two-run long ball the first home run Snell had allowed against a left-handed hitter in 2025.

But that was it for Yesavage, as Toronto’s relief bullpen came on in the fifth. The Jays relievers got the job done until the offense took over in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Indeed, after an Ernie Clement single with the bases loaded, a Nathan Lukes walk in the same situation and an Andres Gimenez single, Addison Barger hit the first grand slam by an alternate hitter in World Series history.

Alejandro Kirk then added a two-run long ball in the same inning, and the Dodgers went to the showers with an 11-4 loss despite a two-run bomb from Shohei Ohtani.

The two teams will cross swords once again for the second game of the Fall Classic tomorrow evening (Saturday), same time (8:00 p.m. Quebec time), same station. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kevin Gausman will be the starting pitchers.

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John Schneider and Mark Shapiro: a contract extension awaits them after the World Series

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro is in the final year of his contract. We know the Blue Jays like their most trusted man.

Ross Atkins, the club’s GM, has one more year on his contract, until 2026. There have been rumours of his dismissal in recent years, when the club was less successful.

And John Schneider, the manager, has a team option year on his contract for 2026. So basically, the club can let him go easily for next season, without paying anything.

But now, according to Shi Davidi, Shapiro and Schneider are in talks to sign a contract extension after the World Series, when the off-season begins.

Obviously, right now is not the time to finalize this. Everyone knows that.

The manager is really gearing up to be a finalist (or win) for Manager of the Year. And since he managed to win the American League title (with a chance of winning the World Series), we agree that the decision makes sense. #Continuity

As for Shapiro, the fact that he’s built a winning club in 2025 and the fact that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has agreed to sign a lucrative contract extension make his 2025 a success. And that’s regardless of how the club plays between now and the end of the World Series.

It remains to be seen whether Ross Atkins, a less pressing issue, will soon be resolved as well.

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Bo Bichette at second base tonight: he’ll be batting fourth

The Blue Jays have done it.

Bo Bichette will indeed be in the starting line-up for tonight’s game. He’ll be batting fourth in the offensive order and he’ll be playing on the second cushion for the first time in his Major League career.

In other words, the club preferred to play Bo Bichette at second base rather than George Springer in right field. Davis Schneider and Myles Straw could have moved accordingly with no problem.

To me, that says a lot about Springer. I don’t doubt that he wanted to play defensively (and maybe he will later in the series), but the club felt that this was the most optimal line-up.

Remember that Bichette has never played second base in his career in the Majors. He has done so in the minors, including once in 2019, in Buffalo. It was he who brought the idea to his bosses, and he hasn’t yet practiced at shortstop.

Why? Because he wants to help his club and because he wants to play with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But this time, the guys are on the right side of the infield.

Will Bichette’s timing be good with the bat? After all, he’ll be batting behind the player of the hour, which means he’s likely to hit after an intentional walk.

Offensively, lefties like Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes have been left on the bench, as Blake Snell will be on the mound. Isiah Kiner-Falefa also arrives… but it’s because of Bichette.

Right-handed hitters Myles Straw and Davis Schneider are in the starting lineup. Expect Schneider (the player) not to finish the game.

Kiner-Falefa, Barger, Lukes, Tyler Heineman and Ty France, freshly back to health, will be on the bench for the game. The manager will therefore have a few options during the match.

PMLB
  • Dodgers lineup.

  • Bo Bichette wants to stay in Toronto, he says.

  • Kevin Gausman will pitch tomorrow.

  • Three sons of former players in the World Series.

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MLB in brief: Formal pitching | Vancouver market

The ceremonial throws

It’ll be Cito Gaston tonight and Joe Carter tomorrow. Heavy artillery at the back.

The importance of Blake Snell

He’s become a true #1 pitcher.

Incredible

The Giants manager joked that his job is to watch Drew Gilbert, a Giants kid he managed in the NCAA.

The Vancouver market

Is this a possibility? The commissioner has talked about it… but he’ll never publicly say no to a market.

Jose Bautista believes

He sees his club winning.

Buddy Kennedy doesn’t care: he’s sure to get a ring. He played for both teams this year.

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World Series: Passion MLB team predictions

The World Series is upon us! Even if this means that the 2025 campaign is drawing to a close and a long, lethargic wait will follow, there’s still one big week of baseball left. And it’s sure to be a big one, with everything set for the final game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So, without further ado, here are Passion MLB columnists’ predictions for the Fall Classic.

Dodgers vs. Blue Jays

Charles-Alexis Brisebois: Los Angeles in 6. This club is built to win in October.

MVP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Félix Forget: Los Angeles in 5. Shohei Ohtani finally turned the corner against the Brewers, and the Dodgers’ rotation is simply too strong.

MVP: Shohei Ohtani.

Maxime Trudeau: Los Angeles in 5. Basically, of the 11 other teams in the playoffs, I thought only the Phillies could beat them. Which they did, one game! The Dodgers know tobacco, adapt to any situation, never panic, have incredible depth and are rested. They’ll continue to ruin baseball.

MVP: Shohei Ohtani.

Pascal Harvey: Toronto in 7. Without question, the Dodgers are a baseball machine, but they have a lot more to lose than their opponents by coming to the World Series defending their title. Aside from Roki Sasaki, their relievers are atrocious, and the Jays’ offense just has to take advantage of that.

MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sébastien Berrouard: Los Angeles in 5. For eight months now, the Dodgers have been preparing for this opportunity to repeat their exploits of last year. With the exception of the relief bullpen, the California lineup has no weaknesses. The starting rotation, offensive firepower and experience will make the difference.

MVP: Will Smith.

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Bo Bichette and Ty France added to World Series line-up

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled their World Series roster.

The first thing to note is, of course, the presence of Bo Bichette. We expected him to be there, but now he is: he’ll be able to help his team win the World Series against the Dodgers.

No word yet on how he’ll be used, but we’ll see in due time. The DH position, the shortstop position, second base or the bench are possibilities for him.

Another player making a comeback from injury is Ty France. He had been injured for a few weeks, but is now in a position to help the Blue Jays with his bat.

The consensus is that, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and with the pinch-hitting position to be filled by George Springer or Bo Bichette, France won’t be able (barring a change) to be a starter.

He’ll be a nice option on the bench.

To make room for the two position players, two players are no longer on the club’s 26-man roster. We’re talking about Joey Loperfido and pitcher Yariel Rodriguez.

For Loperfido, this comes as no surprise. The club wasn’t going to go with 15 position players (already, going with 14 is a debatable decision) and he was the last to arrive, after Anthony Santander’s injury.

He was hardly used against Seattle. If it hadn’t been for George Springer’s injury, he wouldn’t have had any playing time.

As for Rodriguez, it’s understandable that the club wanted to go with 14 guys for defensive versatility, but it’s still an interesting decision to go with just 12 pitchers.

I know Rodriguez had lost his way, but the fact remains that cutting out a pitcher could, on a four-of-seven, hurt the club, which doesn’t have great depth on the mound.

The Dodgers have also released their 26-man roster. Tanner Scott is not on the roster and Alex Vesia has been left out, as he is currently dealing with a family situation.

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Shohei Ohtani responds to John Schneider’s outlandish request

When Shohei Ohtani was courted by several MLB franchises following his departure from the Los Angeles Angels, the Nippon native narrowed his options to the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although the Blue Jays were unable to take advantage of the two-way player’s services since he hit the free agent market, they still found themselves in the World Series two years later.

But no one has forgotten how close the Canadiens came to acquiring the Japanese prodigy, least of all John Schneider. Indeed, the manager remembers everything, including the souvenirs given to Ohtani and his dog Decoy in the hope of luring him to the team. And he’d like them back.

That’s all it took for Ohtani to respond to the Jays skipper in the midst of World Series festivities.

It’s in my garage.

Then, still speaking through an interpreter, who this time was not involved in a sports betting scandal, the three-time MVP winner went on to heap praise on the Blue Jays.

I really had a wonderful time getting to know them as an entire organization, and the impression I got was that they’re top-notch. Great people. And so the circumstance that we get to play against them, against this superb organization, is something I’m really looking forward to.

In 121 career at-bats against the Jays, Ohtani boasts a .314 batting average with 11 home runs and 27 runs batted in.

It remains to be seen how all this will play out at the Fall Classic.

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