Home / Arts and Entertainment / Celine Dion Mourns Beloved Montreal Expos Broadcaster Rodger Brulotte
Celine Dion Mourns Beloved Montreal Expos Broadcaster Rodger Brulotte
22 Mar
Summary
- Renowned broadcaster Rodger Brulotte passed away on March 20 at age 79.
- Celine Dion shared a touching tribute, highlighting Brulotte's friendship with her late husband.
- Brulotte was celebrated for his iconic catchphrase "Bonsoir, elle est partie!"
Canadian entertainment icon Celine Dion is among those mourning the recent death of Major League Baseball broadcaster Rodger Brulotte. Brulotte, a prominent figure in Canadian sports journalism, passed away on March 20 at the age of 79. He was best known for his extensive commentary work with the Montreal Expos.
Dion shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of Brulotte with her late husband, René Angélil. She revealed that Angélil and Brulotte shared a close friendship, noting their mutual passion for golf. Dion expressed deep sadness over Brulotte's passing, honoring him as a "truly great journalist."
Brulotte's career spanned decades, beginning with the Montreal Expos in 1969 as a scout. He transitioned into public relations, contributing to the creation of the team's mascot, Youppi!. In 1984, he joined the broadcast booth for CKAC, where he remained for 17 seasons. His enthusiastic style and signature catchphrase, "Bonsoir, elle est partie!" (Good night, it's out of here!), became synonymous with Expos home runs and endeared him to fans.
Later, Brulotte moved to TVA Sports in 2011, commentating on Toronto Blue Jays games in French. His final planned public appearance was for the 2025 World Series, but he was recovering from surgery. Brulotte had been diagnosed with spinal cancer in 2025, which ultimately led to his death. His passing was marked by tributes from across the baseball world and Canadian athletics.
