Parc Jarry

Home of the Montreal Expos, 1969 to 1976

(also known as Jarry Park)

BUILT: 1969

CAPACITY: 28,456

FIRST GAME: April 14, 1969, vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Expos 8, Cardinals 7)

• Larry Jaster vs. Nelson Briles; WP: Dan McGinn, LP: Gary Waslewski; HR: Mack Jones, Dal Maxvill, Joe Torre

• First Hit: Curt Flood (Double)
• First Single: Don Bosch
• First Triple: Jones
• First HR: Mack Jones (off Nelson Briles)
• First Run: Bosch
• First RBI: Jones

LAST GAME: September 26, 1976, vs. Philadelphia Phillies (Doubleheader) (Phillies 4-1, 2-1 (7))

• Dennis Blair (L) vs. Ron Reed; WP: Ron Schueler; HR: None

• Last Hit: Pepe Frias
• Last HR: Greg Luzinski (Sept. 26, 1976, Game 1)

LARGEST CROWD: 34,331 - September 15, 1973, vs. Philadelphia Phillies

HIGH SEASON ATTENDANCE: 1,424,683 (1970)

LOW SEASON ATTENDANCE: 646,704 (1976)

Le Parc Jarry hosting an Expos game in 1970

When Montreal was granted a National League expansion team for the 1969 season, a small, municipally-owned 3,000 seat park in a corner of Jarry Park was chosen as a location for the Expos temporary home. Construction began in the winter of 1968 and was not completed until May 1969, over a month into the season.

Conveniently located a five-minute walk from the subway and less than a mile from the expressway, Jarry Park was an single deck stadium enclosed by a wire screen fence. There were bleachers in left field, nicknamed "Jonesville" after original Expo left fielder Mack Jones, the front half of which were reserved seats. Jet stream winds helped carry many home runs to left center. The press box was the only part of the park having a roof, and thus fans were totally exposed to the elements. There was a scoreboard in right field, which, along with all signs, advertisements, and public address announcements, was in both English and French. Beyond the scoreboard in right was a public swimming pool, where home runs often landed.

The Expos drew extremely well in small Jarry Park, with nearly 30,000 fans coming out for the team's first game on April 14, 1969. Due to the scarcity of seats, tickets for games were often sold well in advance. For Opening Day 1971, the park was surrounded by plowed snow mounds, upon which fans could stand in right field to get a free view of the game. After the 1976 season, the Expos finally left this temporary home after eight seasons, moving into Stade Olympique. Jarry Park still stands today and is used for social and civic events. A major tennis complex which hosts the annual Canadian Open tournament uses part of the old baseball grandstands.

Further Reading

• Gary Belleville: "July 16, 1969: Willie Stargell’s 495-foot blast triggers Pirates’ comeback, christens ‘La Piscine de Willie’," SABR Baseball Games Project.

Related Sites

• Jarry Park (Montreal) at the SABR Bio Project