Quebec’s Voice of Baseball: Public Invited to Pay Final Respects to Rodger Brulotte

Montreal is preparing to say a final goodbye to one of its most cherished sporting voices. The public has been invited to attend a Rodger Brulotte memorial service, specifically a chapelle ardente, this Thursday to pay their respects to the legendary broadcaster.

For decades, Brulotte was more than just a commentator. he was the sonic backdrop to baseball in Quebec. The invitation for the public to offer a final “Bonsoir”—a nod to his most famous catchphrase—marks the conclusion of a life dedicated to the diamond and the fans who followed the Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Voice That Defined a Generation

To understand why a broadcaster’s passing resonates so deeply in Montreal, one must understand the phrase: “Bonsoir, elle est partie!” (Fine evening, it is gone!). Whenever an Expos player launched a home run, Brulotte’s exuberant delivery became the definitive soundtrack of the moment. It was a call that blended professional broadcasting with the raw passion of a lifelong fan.

Brulotte’s journey in professional baseball began long before he stepped into the broadcast booth. He joined the Montreal Expos organization in 1969, initially working in sales, and marketing. His influence on the team’s culture extended beyond the ledger; he was a key contributor to the creation of Youppi!, the team’s iconic mascot who remains a symbol of the city’s baseball heritage.

By 1984, his charisma transitioned to the airwaves when he was hired by CKAC. It was here that he began his storied partnership with play-by-play announcer Jacques Doucet. The two formed one of the most respected duos in Quebec sports history, a relationship described as being more like brothers than mere colleagues.

A Career Across the Airwaves

Brulotte’s career was characterized by a seamless transition across different media landscapes. After his time at CKAC, he moved to RDS in 1990, where he called Expos games alongside Denis Casavant until the franchise departed Montreal in 2004. Even after the demise of the Expos, his passion for the game never waned.

He continued to call baseball games on RDS and eventually moved to TVA Sports, where he provided color commentary for Toronto Blue Jays games. His versatility extended to print as well, where he authored the “Tout partout” column for Le Journal de Montréal. His excellence in the field was recognized early on, earning him Gemini Award nominations in 1991 and 1993.

For those unfamiliar with the role of a “color commentator,” Brulotte provided the analysis, storytelling, and emotional weight that complemented the play-by-play action. He didn’t just tell the audience what was happening; he told them why it mattered.

The Final Inning

The sports world lost Brulotte on March 20, 2026, at the age of 79. His final years were marked by a courageous battle with cancer. In September 2025, Brulotte underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his spine. The severity of the illness forced him to miss broadcasting the 2025 World Series alongside Denis Casavant, a poignant absence for a man who lived for the postseason.

Despite the surgery, the disease returned in recent months, ultimately leading to his passing. His death leaves a void in the Quebec sporting community that Pierre Karl Péladeau, president and CEO of Québecor, described as the loss of an “iconic voice.”

“Rodger’s authenticity and kindness made him a beloved figure in the hearts of Quebecers,” Péladeau stated. “He brought passion to his work and a rare ability to connect with people.”

Legacy and Lasting Impact

Rodger Brulotte’s impact on Canadian baseball transcends the statistics of the games he called. He served as a bridge between the city of Montreal and the game of baseball, maintaining the flame of passion for the sport even after the Expos left. Whether he was speaking to reporters about the renaming of Faillon Street to Gary Carter Street or guiding listeners through a tense ninth inning, he did so with a characteristic warmth.

His career trajectory—from a scout and marketing staffer in 1969 to a veteran broadcaster on Sportsnet and TVA Sports—mirrors the evolution of sports media in Canada. He moved from radio to cable television and eventually to digital columns, always remaining the “beloved voice” of the game.

As Montreal gathers this Thursday for the chapelle ardente, the city isn’t just mourning a journalist; it is celebrating a man who taught a province how to love baseball. From the early days at Jarry Park to the modern era of the Blue Jays, Brulotte was the constant.

The public is encouraged to attend the memorial to say their own final “Bonsoir” to a man who spent nearly six decades making sure the game was heard, felt, and remembered.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the community will be the formal memorial services following Thursday’s public tribute.

How did Rodger Brulotte’s voice impact your experience with baseball? Share your memories in the comments below.