About Jarry Park Stadium
Jarry Park Stadium was the original home of the Montreal Expos, the first Major League Baseball franchise outside the United States. When the Expos joined the National League in 1969, the city had no MLB-ready facility, and Jarry Park — a minor-league and municipal park — was hastily expanded to meet minimum standards. The expansion was imperfect: locker rooms were cramped, the press box was modest, and the overall facilities reflected a team that had six months to build a major-league operation from scratch.
What the park lacked in amenities, it more than compensated for in atmosphere. Montreal baseball fans brought bilingual passion, throwing their seat cushions onto the field after victories, creating a raucous environment that opposing players noticed immediately. Rusty Staub — "Le Grand Orange," named for his brilliant red hair — became the city's first true baseball hero, and his connection with the Montreal community transcended sport.
The Expos' years at Jarry Park were scrappy and hopeful, laying the foundation for a franchise that would produce some of the finest baseball of the 1970s and '80s. When they moved to the massive Olympic Stadium in 1977, Jarry Park was returned to its original purpose. The bilingual PA announcements, the cushion-throwing tradition, and the intimate scale of Jarry Park remain touchstones for those who remember the Expos' origins.
Fun facts
- The Expos were the first MLB franchise outside the United States — Jarry Park hosted history on opening day.
- "Le Grand Orange" Rusty Staub became a cultural icon in Montreal, beloved by French and English fans alike.
- Fans threw seat cushions onto the field after wins — a tradition unique to Jarry Park.
- The bilingual PA announcements in French and English were a first in major-league baseball.
- The park was a converted minor-league facility — the left-field corner was oddly shaped due to a public street.
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