“Mister Baseball” is Richard Desmeules. Hey yes! The “Richard Desmeules” of the baseball stadium! He received this tribute in the mid-1950s from the City of Jonquière, jointly with the CKRS Radio station!
Without being rich but passionate about baseball, it was he who had an all-wood stadium built, inspired by American baseball stadiums, by negotiating with the municipal authorities of the time to acquire the coveted land.
He himself never played baseball, he rather distinguished himself in hockey, as a goalie and as a coach as well.
“Mister Baseball”, with a 6th grade in his pocket, quickly emerged as an entrepreneur in a wax paper and yeast packaging company, and he had clients all over the province. Perfectly bilingual, lively, brilliant, hardworking and determined, he has established himself as a wise, honest and reliable businessman.
An exceptional man, he was a visionary and for him, a defeat was a step forward towards a greater victory.
In the historical highlights of the baseball stadium that he built in May 1955, the City of Jonquière then rented the land at the current location for $1,000 per month for 10 years. Four days later, the City issued him authorization to begin construction of the stadium.
On June 22 of the same year, erection of the fence, construction of the wooden stands and landscaping with shovel filling, sometimes working until midnight, and even later… After a week, he completed the installation of the outfield turf, in addition to the diamond and the outlines of the goals.
On August 6, 1955, it was the official inauguration (Playball!). The following spring, in April 1956, the lighting system was installed at a cost of $4,000. The first baseball game will be played on June 9, 1956. In 1964, the City of Jonquière will invest in renovations. And we know the rest.
Mr. Desmeules would be very proud to see investments of more than $7 million in 2024 so that his stadium is among the most beautiful in Quebec.
“Mr. Baseball” died in 1970.
I would have loved to know him and talk with him for hours and hours on the radio. He has all my respect.
“A defeat is a step forward towards a greater victory! » Richard Desmeules.
