It’s hard for me not to talk about his career because he was my childhood idol when he pitched with the Milwaukee Braves. I wanted him to tell us about his experiences in Major League Baseball, his participation in the All-Star game when his parents drove to Saint-Louis to watch the game, his arrival with the Expos and his involvement in the game. the Claude-Raymond Foundation. He has distributed over $ 2 million in scholarships and for sports facilities through his foundation.
He is the first Quebecer to have been chosen to the Major League Baseball All-Star team. The only times he has received a standing ovation in his career is in Montreal.
I hear the announcer of the Expos, Claude Mouton, say during his first presence in Montreal: “Let us welcome the pitcher of the Braves to the mound”.
You are a native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
I still live in this wonderful city. My mother, Rachel, my brothers, Gilles and Serge, my late sister, Jocelyne, and I all played ball in our youth. Unfortunately, my father, Rolland, due to an injury he suffered on his parents’ farm, was unable to play ball.
How was the summer family vacation?
Like many young people of my time, in winter, we played hockey in the street and at the ice rink. In the summer, we played baseball, with my good friend Yvan Dubois, among others, with whom I played in the Milwaukee Braves organization, as well as Ron Piché, who played in Verdun. It was our vacation.
Your parents have always ensured the well-being of the children.
We were not a rich family, but so happy. My father worked for many years in textiles for the fabulous sum of $ 29 per week. My mother was a housewife and a seamstress.
Your first jobs.
I pulled out my cart full of grocery shopping bags and sometimes the customer would give me 5 ¢. I also worked for a company in Saint-Jean to put peas and corn in cans. I was also a street hawker.
You were a bowling planter when you were 12
On weekends during the winter season, I was a bowling planter in the bowling alleys in Saint-Jean and Montreal. Between a few games, I shined shoes. I was making 4 ¢ per game, which allowed me to earn $ 1.20 per weekend. I gave my wages to my parents and kept the tips. It was more profitable for my parents.
Your father sacrificed a week of his salary for you to attend a baseball school
The cost of two baseball sessions was $ 30 each. However, for the second week, my dad sacrificed his $ 29 salary, and my mom sacrificed part of her dressmaking earnings to allow me to attend.
When you were 15, you were traveling to Montreal to play baseball.
I hitchhiked or took the bus to the eastern terminus, which was located where the National Library is. Then the first stop at Rachel, where I took the streetcar to Saint-Laurent north to finally finish at Jarry Park, while I was riding the Villeray Junior. At 15 at Jarry Park and later, in 1969, in the majors with the Expos, at the same place.
During the evening games, was the return more difficult?
I was not fearful at the time. Today, I think my son would not have been allowed to do this when he was younger. Moreover, my junior stay allowed me to have a summer job with the Société de transport de Montréal. So I no longer had to pay for my public transport tickets.
Playing Saint-Jean or baseball?
A precious piece of advice from my father. I was 17 when the senior Saint John Pirates and Milwaukee Braves offered me a contract. My dad said to me: “It’s not complicated, do you want to play Saint-Jean or baseball? I signed a professional contract with the Braves for the sum of $ 165 per month over a period of five months and a signing bonus of $ 250.
The legendary Hank Aaron has already set a trap for you
At the time, he was my teammate with the Braves and he would often tell me that I was throwing a devastating slippery ball. When I wore the Astros uniform, I remembered his comment when I first faced him.
Good evening, she’s gone!
With my confident air, I gave him my slippery. He hit the ball so far that we’re still looking for it. I still see him going around the goal looking at me with a big smile and his shoulders jumping. Yes, I fell into his trap.
Your children are good athletes.
My daughter, Nathalie, was a champion swimmer who won several titles. One of the best teams in Canada, the Pointe-Claire Swimming Club, invited her to join her training, but she decided to continue her studies to become a teacher. As for my son, Claude Marc, he played football for Mount Alison University.
Your wife is the heart of your family.
My wife Rita Duval gave me two wonderful children. My career as a baseball player and as an analyst on radio and television have forced me to be continuously outside Quebec. She is the one responsible for the success of our children. My wife is the heart of the family which has always known how to support us in difficult times.
