Traditionally published at the dawn of the major baseball season, the annual list of the most influential personalities in this sport in Quebec is full of several new members in 2022. So decided a panel made up of 10 experts involved in the discipline. :
1 – Alex Anthopoulos
PHOTO COURTESY/Kevin D. Liles / Atlanta Braves
Montrealer Alex Anthopoulos became the first general manager from Canada to guide his team to the World Series title last November. With his acquisitions before the trade deadline, the great architect of the Atlanta Braves had a tremendous impact on the course of his people. Anthopoulos’ team defeated the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers in the championship series, before defeating the Houston Astros in the Grand Finals.
2 – Abraham Bull
Having topped this list in March 2021, Quebecer Abraham Toro continues to be an inspiration as a regular player in major league baseball. A trade that took him from the Astros to the Seattle Mariners last July allowed him to shine. He also took part in an exciting playoff run with the Mariners.
3 – Michel Laplante
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
President of the Capitals, Michel Laplante has worked miracles to ensure the presence of Team Quebec in the Frontier League in 2021. He is also an influential member of the Board of Directors of Baseball Quebec.
4 – Maxime Lamarche
General Manager of Baseball Quebec, Maxime Lamarche is a true enthusiast. With his provincial federation team, he is doing everything in his power to promote the practice of discipline among young people, COVID-19 or not.
5 – Alex Agostino
ARCHIVE PHOTO and COURTESY, QUEBEC BASEBALL
Employed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the role of scout supervisor, Alex Agostino remains a great ambassador for baseball in Quebec. His involvement with young people and in the media proves it.
6 – Stephen Bronfman
Photo QMI AGENCY, MARIO BEAUREGARD
The result is disappointing, first and foremost for businessman Stephen Bronfman and his associates. We must nevertheless recognize the efforts made in the concept of sister cities, a project presented by the Tampa Bay Rays which died in the bud in January.
7 – Marc Griffin
PHOTO COURTOISIE/BASEBALL QUEBEC
Very involved in the development of the sport, former baseball player Marc Griffin sits on the board of directors at Baseball Québec. He is also a television analyst.
8 – Patrick Scalabrini
Usually associated with the Capitales de Québec, manager Patrick Scalabrini made many sacrifices when he found himself at the helm of Team Quebec in the Frontier League. He thus spent part of last summer in the United States.
9 – Marc-Antoine Berube
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
His expertise is beyond doubt. An important figure in the development of young players forming the elite in Quebec, former pitcher Marc-Antoine Bérubé officially occupies the role of analyst in research and development. An outstanding trainer.
10 – Jean-Philippe Roy
Particularly influential in the greater Quebec City region, Jean-Philippe Roy enjoyed success as director of the Canonniers sports-study program.
11 – Rodger Brulotte
A recognized media figure, Rodger Brulotte seems to be on the lookout for all issues surrounding baseball in Quebec. He is notably the president of the Elite Junior League (LBJEQ).
12 – Jesen Therrien
Photo d’Archives, Agence QMI
After launching in major league baseball in 2017, Jesen Therrien is back in Quebec. He was appointed, in September, director of operations of the ABC.
13 – Vanessa Riopel
PHOTO COURTESY/Baseball Quebec
Employed by Baseball Québec since February 2021, she is at the heart of the rise of sport among girls. Her title: Women’s Development and Leadership Coordinator.
14 – Vladimir Guerrero fils
A choice that divided the panel of experts, hence his 14th position in the standings… A native of Montreal, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an extraordinary season in the uniform of the Toronto Blue Jays. The one who grew up in the Dominican Republic is very popular among young baseball players in Quebec. During the 2021 season, Guerrero Jr. notably hit 48 home runs and maintained a .311 batting average. Only Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani topped him in the All-American MVP ballot.
15 – Jasmine Roy
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
Recruiter Jasmin Roy continues to take the lead. After Jean-Christophe Masson, he recommended the hiring of Nicolas Deschamps to the organization of the Blue Jays.
16 – Andre Lachance
Although he recently left his role at Baseball Canada, André Lachance leaves behind the work of two decades. He will certainly remain involved in the community as a consultant.
17 – Otto Lopez
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Quebecer Otto Lopez played his first game in major league baseball with the Blue Jays last season. He does not forget the Montreal neighborhood that saw him grow up: Tétreaultville.
18 – Karl Gelinas
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
First recognized for his past exploits in the Capitals uniform, pitcher Karl Gélinas works as a coach, both with the Baseball Academy of Canada (ABC) and with the Quebec Diamonds, at the junior elite level. And we have not finished seeing it, since he becomes an analyst for the TVA Sports network…
19 – John Tremblay
Often in the shadows as owner, Jean Tremblay is the founder of Groupe Vertdure. This entity, now chaired by his son Philippe, partly explains why independent baseball is still present in La Belle Province, Quebec and Trois-Rivières.
20 – Jethro Supré
As one of the few baseball players’ agents in Quebec, Jethro Supré relies on Otto Lopez, Chadwick Tromp and Charles Leblanc among his clients.
21 – Ray Callari
Highly respected in the Quebec baseball community, Ray Callari acts as a recruiter for the San Francisco Giants in Canada. A former member of the Expos organization, he is always good advice for young Quebecers in development.
22 – Denis Boucher
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
His loss in the 2021 municipal elections, in Lachine, leaves him minimally the opportunity to continue his formidable involvement in the world of baseball. A former Expos player, Denis Boucher wears many hats, including those of scout for the New York Yankees and pitching coach for the Canadian team.
23 – Jacques Doucet
Renowned descriptor, Jacques Doucet continues, at the age of 82, to rock baseball fans in Quebec with his voice on the TVA Sports network. Respect.
24 – Russell Martin
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
Not having played in major league baseball since 2019, famous receiver Russell Martin has been rather discreet in the past year, but he remains an inspiration for young people in Quebec.
25 – Charles LeBlanc
At 25, Quebec player Charles Leblanc is now trying to break into the big leagues with the Miami Marlins organization.
Honorable Mentions
- Conor Angel
- Eric Gagne
- Perry Giannias
- David Glaude
- Edouard Julien
- Patricia Landry
- Rene Martin
- Ivan Naccarata
- Joshua Peley
- Claude Raymond
- Frederick Rioux
- Marc Vadboncoeur
Methodology: each of the 10 experts surveyed by the QMI Agency draws up their own list of 25 personalities having a significant impact on the health of this sport in Quebec, thanks to their involvement and the visibility they bring to the discipline, especially to course of the last 12 months. Thirty points are allocated for a first position, the following places are worth 24 points, for the second rank, to one point, for the 25th echelon.
