The city of Montreal took the spotlight as part of the Seattle All Star Game celebrations. The MLB version of the fanfest Held at T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the event allowed attendees to relive Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente’s time with the Montreal Royals. While the home run contest was won by Montreal native Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Not to mention the many Expos caps and jerseys we saw in the crowd.
Photos Rodger Brulotte, Louis-Philippe Neveu and Le Journal archives
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps and won the home run contest, beamed as I took to the field to congratulate him on his win.
When he arrived on the field thanks to his Japanese interpreter for the home run contest, I reminded Shohei Ohtani that Sadaharu Oh, Japan’s longball king, was up against the Expos at Daytona Beach training camp.
At the door of the American League players’ locker room, we see Randy Arozarena and members of his family. He smiled when I told him how popular he was in Quebec, and the Tampa Bay Rays player laughed when I added that I had trouble pronouncing his name.
New York Mets power hitter Pete Alonso signed plenty of autographs after batting practice.
American League and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker showed great class when he approached me and greeted me with a “bonjour” in French. He has fond memories of Montreal and wanted me to say hello to his good friend and teammate Claude Raymond.
Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. had fun taking photos on the field. Before the All-Star Game in the locker room, Griffey told me he had a picture of himself at home when he was 3 years old wearing an Expos cap with the paddle-back and a baseball bat in hand in the middle of the baseball Stadium in Trois Rivieres.
While TVA Sports producer Marco Lamontagne completed the on-air procedure, Louis-Philippe Neveu, Denis Casavant, myself and Martin Larocque awaited the arrival of Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Romano.
National League MVP Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mets’ Pete Alonso during batting practice.
