Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers back in Montreal, holds pitching clinic.

September 7, 2015

Christopher Chartier

On September 5th Expos’ pitching Ace Steve Rogers spent

some time in the West Island of Montreal, with some eager

youth baseball players and some very receptive fans. About

fifty youth baseball players jumped on the chance to be

shown how to pitch by the Expos legend. Sportifacts arranged

this pitching clinic at Sarto Desnoyers field in Dorval, Quebec;

the kids and parents could not have been happier

Steve Rogers is the Expos pitcher with the most wins, at 158 wins.

Steve Rogers played for the Expos from 1973-1985 and is a

five-time all-star 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983. One of his great

highlights from his career was the 1982 All-Star game with

Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Tim Raines and Al Oliver by his side.

The all-star game in 1982 was held in Montreal, 59, 057 screaming

fans in Montreal saw that game, and Steve Rogers started that game.

“On a personal note there is no doubt standing on the mound in Olympic

stadium and starting the ‘82 All-star game was a singular moment for me.

Having that honour and doing that in front of the home crowd. “

Steve Rogers said.

Steve Rogers a great part of Montreal Expos history, and to this day still

a fan favourite. Steve Rogers was inducted into the Canadian Baseball

Hall Of Fame in 2005; his whole MLB Career was with the Montreal Expos.

At the pitching clinic Steve Rogers took the time with every youth player to help them improve their pitching method. Players came from all over the Montreal area to be coached by Steve; one player even came from Ottawa for this clinic.

At the end of each session Steve took the time to sign items for the players and take a few photos with them.

You could see the players wanting to meet Steve Rogers. Wearing their team’s jerseys or Expos gear, Expos colours were seen on both young and old.

“The generation of 10-12 year olds that watched me play, watched Vladimir Guerrero play and those guys play. All of those parents are now having 10-12 year olds and they don’t have baseball. It is definitely a resurgence in the province and that’s witness by the two exhibition games. I understand it is only two games and it is in the spring, but drawing 100,000 to the Olympic stadium when it is in such disarray, is still a pretty good feat.” Steve Rogers noted while discussing Montreal baseball.

So I asked Steve Rogers...can it happen? Can Montreal get an MLB team

back?

“I will tell you the city of Montreal has the same uphill battle as any other

city. They are going to have to come up with huge number of dollars

committed to it. A billion plus, they are going to have to come up to

it with the commitment to build a brand new stadium downtown

someplace. And they are going to have corporate Montréal solidly behind

them. I don’t know what that means, but those are the requirements to

even get in the race.

If they can do that. I think if you meet those criteria there is a good a

chance of having a franchise here as anywhere.”

Steve Rogers was part of the 1981 Expos, the only Expos team that

made it to the Post-Season. A strike split the season in half. 1981 was

a season that had its up and downs, for the team and Steve Rogers.

The end of season and the post-season held some great games and

moments for Steve.

“My last game of the regular season in ‘81, plus the two games against the Phillies, and the start against the Dodgers. Those 4 games in a row may be the best games I have ever thrown, and certainly the most crucial situation. So I count that whole post-season as one of my most positive.” Some great games for Steve Rogers and the fans watching.

It did not stop there for Steve Rogers in the afternoon he headed to KSKS collectables, Pointe-Claire and held a public signing for the fans.

Steve Rogers lives in Oklahoma and for the last 20 plus years has been working with the MLB Players association.

Thank you to Steve Rogers for taking time to chat and Sportifacts for arranging this.