Jarry Park Stadium
Encyclopedia
Jarry Park Stadium (ˈdʒæri; , stad paʁk ʒaʁi) is a former baseball
stadium
in Montreal
which served as home to the Montreal Expos
, Major League Baseball
's first Canadian franchise, from 1969–1976. It served as a temporary home (for 8 seasons) until the domed Olympic Stadium
was finished and made available to the Expos. The ballpark was typically called simply (and incorrectly) "Jarry Park" within baseball circles.
The stadium began as a ballfield in Montréal's north end (Villeray
) in a public park known as Jarry Park
. The only structure was the small unroofed grandstand behind the home plate and backstop area, that sat maybe 3,000.
When the Expos were announced as an expansion franchise in 1967, finding a site proved to be a challenge. Delorimier Stadium
, home of the old minor-league Montreal Royals
was rejected as too small to be even a suitable temporary facility (capacity 20,000); it was eventually demolished in 1971. Initially it looked like the Expos would be using the Autostade
from Expo 67
, a fair which had inspired the new club's nickname. However, the city balked at the cost of adding a dome and 12,000 seats, forcing the Expos to find another site quickly. In August 1968, National League President Warren Giles
and Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau
visited Jarry Park. Giles liked the site's location—less than a mile from a highway and 200 yards from a commuter railroad. The Expos decided to convert the Jarry Park ballfield to something approaching major league standards.
Beyond right field was a pre-existing swimming pool in the city park. Long before the "splash hits" at AT&T Park
in San Francisco, there were occasional "splash hits" here. One of those was hit by Willie McCovey, during a 6-4 win over the Expos on August 24, 1969. The idea of the swimming pool itself was later replicated in Chase Field
in Phoenix
.
The stadium was rather sparse, given that it was intended to be only a temporary home for a maximum of four years. The clubhouses were located along the left field line behind the stands. Due to its orientation, the setting sun often shone right in the faces of first basemen. It was completely exposed to the elements, which was a particular problem at the beginning and end of the season, given the short Montreal summers. The Expos frequently had to postpone early- and late-season games because there was no protection for the fans. However, a strike delayed the completion of Olympic Stadium, forcing the Expos to stay in Jarry until 1976.
Although the centre field distance was posted as 420 feet, it was actually 417 feet to straightaway centre, and 420 feet to the deep left and right centre field corners.
regular season game in Canada
, the Montreal Expos
defeat the St. Louis Cardinals
, 8-7.
September 29, 1971: Batting against Milt Pappas
of the Chicago Cubs
, Ron Hunt
is hit by a pitch for the 50th time during the season. The Expos win, 6-5, on Hunt's game-winning single in the ninth inning.
May 9, 1972: Willie Mays
plays in his final game as a member of the San Francisco Giants
. As a pinch-hitter, he gets a single in the ninth inning of a 7-1 Giants' loss to the Expos.
October 2, 1972: In the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets
, the Expos' Bill Stoneman
pitches the first MLB no-hitter
outside the United States
. Montreal wins, 7-0, but the Mets win the second game, 2-1.
September 9, 1973: A year and a half following his last appearance as a member of the San Francisco Giants, Willie Mays plays the final regular season game of his career as the Mets defeat the Expos, 3-0, despite 13 Montreal hits.
September 15, 1973: An attendance of 34,331 (the largest ever at Jarry Park Stadium) watches the Expos defeat the Philadelphia Phillies
, 5-4. Bob Bailey
singles home Ron Woods with the winning run in the 10th inning.
September 28, 1974: Gary Carter
hits his first major league home run off Phillies' pitcher Steve Carlton
. The Expos win, 3-1.
September 26, 1976: In the last baseball games played at Stade Parc Jarry, the Phillies win both games of a doubleheader, 4-1 and 2-1 (the second game shortened to seven innings due to rain), over the Expos. The win in the first game gives the Phils' their first National League East
Division title.
John Paul II
to mark his visit to Montréal and the park on September 11, 1984. The venue was renamed 'Du Maurier Stadium' in 1987. It has since been renamed again, to 'Stade Uniprix
'.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
which served as home to the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's first Canadian franchise, from 1969–1976. It served as a temporary home (for 8 seasons) until the domed Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
was finished and made available to the Expos. The ballpark was typically called simply (and incorrectly) "Jarry Park" within baseball circles.
The stadium began as a ballfield in Montréal's north end (Villeray
Villeray, Quebec
Villeray is a neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough and is situated in the north-central part of the Island of Montreal.-Origin of the name:...
) in a public park known as Jarry Park
Jarry Park
Jarry Park is an urban park in the Villeray neighbourhood of Montreal. From 1969 to 1976, the former Jarry Park Stadium was the home of the Montreal Expos, Canada's first Major League Baseball team. It also hosted a mass by Pope John Paul II...
. The only structure was the small unroofed grandstand behind the home plate and backstop area, that sat maybe 3,000.
History
Delorimier Stadium
Delorimier Stadium was a 20,000-seat sports stadium at 2101 Ontario Street East, at the corner of De Lorimier Avenue in the present-day Montreal borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve...
, home of the old minor-league Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
was rejected as too small to be even a suitable temporary facility (capacity 20,000); it was eventually demolished in 1971. Initially it looked like the Expos would be using the Autostade
Autostade
The Autostade was a Canadian football stadium in the Victoriatown neighbourhood of Montreal, Quebec that stood at the north-west corner of the Cité du Havre sector of the Expo 67 site...
from Expo 67
Expo 67
The 1967 International and Universal Exposition or Expo 67, as it was commonly known, was the general exhibition, Category One World's Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from April 27 to October 29, 1967. It is considered to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th century, with the...
, a fair which had inspired the new club's nickname. However, the city balked at the cost of adding a dome and 12,000 seats, forcing the Expos to find another site quickly. In August 1968, National League President Warren Giles
Warren Giles
Warren Crandall Giles was a National League executive in Major League Baseball.-Baseball:Giles was elected president of the Moline, Illinois baseball club in the Three-I League in 1919 and began a 50-year career in baseball that saw him rise all the way to the presidency of the National League...
and Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau
Jean Drapeau
Jean Drapeau, was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as mayor of Montreal from 1954 to 1957 and 1960 to 1986...
visited Jarry Park. Giles liked the site's location—less than a mile from a highway and 200 yards from a commuter railroad. The Expos decided to convert the Jarry Park ballfield to something approaching major league standards.
Features and dimensions
Once the ballfield was announced as the home of the expansion club, the site was likewise expanded. Unroofed extensions were built from the original stand to the left and right field corners, a large bleacher was constructed across left field, and a scoreboard was built behind the right field fence. This work brought the park's capacity to a serviceable 28,500, and the park was deemed ready for the Expos.Beyond right field was a pre-existing swimming pool in the city park. Long before the "splash hits" at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco, there were occasional "splash hits" here. One of those was hit by Willie McCovey, during a 6-4 win over the Expos on August 24, 1969. The idea of the swimming pool itself was later replicated in Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
The stadium was rather sparse, given that it was intended to be only a temporary home for a maximum of four years. The clubhouses were located along the left field line behind the stands. Due to its orientation, the setting sun often shone right in the faces of first basemen. It was completely exposed to the elements, which was a particular problem at the beginning and end of the season, given the short Montreal summers. The Expos frequently had to postpone early- and late-season games because there was no protection for the fans. However, a strike delayed the completion of Olympic Stadium, forcing the Expos to stay in Jarry until 1976.
Although the centre field distance was posted as 420 feet, it was actually 417 feet to straightaway centre, and 420 feet to the deep left and right centre field corners.
Baseball moments at Jarry
April 14, 1969: In the first Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
regular season game in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
defeat the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, 8-7.
September 29, 1971: Batting against Milt Pappas
Milt Pappas
Milton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Ron Hunt
Ron Hunt
Ronald Kenneth Hunt is a former Major League Baseball player. A second baseman who also played third base sparingly, Hunt played for the New York Mets , Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Montreal Expos and St...
is hit by a pitch for the 50th time during the season. The Expos win, 6-5, on Hunt's game-winning single in the ninth inning.
May 9, 1972: Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
plays in his final game as a member of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. As a pinch-hitter, he gets a single in the ninth inning of a 7-1 Giants' loss to the Expos.
October 2, 1972: In the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, the Expos' Bill Stoneman
Bill Stoneman
William Hambly Stoneman III is a consultant for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. From 1999 to October 15, 2007, he served as the general manager of the Angels...
pitches the first MLB no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
outside the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Montreal wins, 7-0, but the Mets win the second game, 2-1.
September 9, 1973: A year and a half following his last appearance as a member of the San Francisco Giants, Willie Mays plays the final regular season game of his career as the Mets defeat the Expos, 3-0, despite 13 Montreal hits.
September 15, 1973: An attendance of 34,331 (the largest ever at Jarry Park Stadium) watches the Expos defeat the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, 5-4. Bob Bailey
Bob Bailey (baseball)
Robert Sherwood Bailey is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
singles home Ron Woods with the winning run in the 10th inning.
September 28, 1974: Gary Carter
Gary Carter
Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
hits his first major league home run off Phillies' pitcher Steve Carlton
Steve Carlton
Steven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
. The Expos win, 3-1.
September 26, 1976: In the last baseball games played at Stade Parc Jarry, the Phillies win both games of a doubleheader, 4-1 and 2-1 (the second game shortened to seven innings due to rain), over the Expos. The win in the first game gives the Phils' their first National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
Division title.
After the Expos
The stadium was used for various civic events in the years after the Expos moved out. It was gradually converted into a tennis stadium, with one corner of the court located at the old backstop. The stadium was renamed in honor of PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
to mark his visit to Montréal and the park on September 11, 1984. The venue was renamed 'Du Maurier Stadium' in 1987. It has since been renamed again, to 'Stade Uniprix
Stade Uniprix
Uniprix Stadium is the main tennis court at the Canada Masters tournament in Montreal, Quebec. Built in 1996, the centre court stadium currently holds 11,700 spectators. It was formerly known as Du Maurier Stadium, after the popular cigarettes brand...
'.
External links
- Stade Uniprix official site
- Jarry Park Today
- Expos Historical Society: Jarry Park
- Baseball Chronology: Jarry Park
- Ballparks by Munsey and Suppes: Jarry Park