Elliott: Remembering Claude Pelletier
Claude Pelletier, left, was an excellent scout, both for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. More than that he was a true gentleman. It is with sadness that we tell you of Pelletier’s passing. Claude had three passions: his family, the game of baseball and his train set. His family and his career brought him both gratification and joy. Deepest sympathies to his family Frances, Gigi, Lison and Daniel Pelletier
December 15, 2025
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Claude Pelletier had been asked many questions while evaluating players over the years.
In 1995, Los Angeles Dodgers scouting director Terry Reynolds asked Pelletier, “Why should we sign this free agent when he has already played in United States and none of our guys like him?”
Pelletier (Saint-Lazare, Que.) took a deep breath and answered that the Dodgers should sign the player in question because he liked him and asked for a second opinion.
Dodgers cross-checker Eddie Bane flew to Calgary to see Eric Gagne pitch for Team Canada, which was on the way to the Olympic qualifier in Edmonton. Bane gave a thumbs up and the player was given a $75,000 US signing bonus.
And that’s how Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) wound up with the Dodgers.
For recognizing a talent, who wasn’t even drafted after attending Seminole Junior College, Pelletier was the winner of Canadian Baseball Network’s sixth annual Scout of the Year award.
“We spent a lot of time together, he was a lot like Wayne Norton (Orioles, Mariners), we had a lot of fun together on the road,” said Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC), a veteran scout of more than 35 years.
With double-A San Antonio in 1999, Gagne had a 12-4 record with a 2.63 ERA in 26 starts and was named the Texas League pitcher of the year. He led the league with 185 strikeouts, was second in ERA and third in wins. He held opposing batters to a .201 average.
“I always liked Eric and saw him pitch often,” Pelletier said.
Pelletier worked for the Mets after 13 years with the Dodgers. He might have been paid by the Mets but when Gagne pitched Pelletier’s heart was with the Dodgers.
After scuffling as a starter, Gagne became the Dodgers’ top reliever, where for three years he was statistically the most outstanding closer, winning the Cy Young award in 2003. He joined Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) as the only Canadians to win the Cy Young award.
Gagne set a major league record by converting 84 consecutive save opportunities.
“When I first started scouting it was Wayne Norton, Jim Ridley, Claude,and Walt Burrows on the road,” said A’s scout Matt Higginson (Oakville, Ont.) “They were good to me. I miss all of them.”
With the Mets, Pelletier either drafted or signed: INF Shawn Bowman (New Westminster, BC), a 12th rounder in 2002, who reached triple-A Gwinnett, INF Jonathan Malo (Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Que.) a 48th rounder in 2003, who peaked at triple-A Buffalo, free-agent sign OF Marc Griffin (Quebec, Que.) who reached double-A Harrisburg after his days with the Mets, RP Kurtis Horne (Sooke,BC) who pitched at class-A Kingsport, a 31st rounder, free-agent sign LHP Nial Hughes (Cardigan Head, PEI), who pitched at class-A Wilmington, free agent sign LHP Martin Lavigne (Quebec, Que.) who pitched at class-A Vero Beach, INF Ivan Naccarate (Montreal, Que.) who played at class-A Brooklyn after being a 40th rounder in 2000 and RHP Tanner Osberg (Lethbridge, Alta.) who pitched at class-A Capital City after being a 34th rounder.
Friends and competitors: Wayne Norton, left,, Claude Pelletier and Walt Burrows.
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Pelletier had scouted Quebec players since 1988 and he picked an All-Quebec team for us, which included OF Ntema Ndungidi (Montreal, Que.). Pelletier said Ndungidi arrived in Montreal with his family at the age three from Zaire. He played his minor ball in Montreal moved on to the Academie Baseball Canada. Originally a shortstop when Pelletier first saw him, he was a five-tool player from the first day.
“On our scouting scale (20-to-80) we had him hitting: as a 60 for power, a 70 arm, a 60 fielding and a 60 running, he was plus average,” Pelletier said. “This is the why Ntema, also known as Papi, was a first rounder.”
Dodgers scouts Bane and Pelletier worked out Ndungidi in the Rosemont area of Montreal. Bob Gillis, an associate scout with the Dodgers, threw batting practice and Max St. Pierre (Levis, Que.) caught.
“Max’s sister and I were shagging in the outfield, Eddie was watching and laughing his heart out,” said Pelletier. “Every ball he hit went over the fence and over the street landing on front porches of houses. I said we better get out of here before the cops show and Eddie’s reply was, ‘No way I want to see more.”
Pelletier did an in-house visit with Papi’s father, extolling the virtues how great the Dodgers were. Said Pelletier: “His father said to me, ‘If the Dodgers are so good of an organization, how come they don’t win more often?’”
Baltimore Orioles scout Wayne Norton (Port Moody, BC) and general manager Pat Gillick selected him in the first round (36th overall) in 1997. Ndungidi hit a ball off the rim of Olympic Stadium, an area only Darryl Strawberry had visited before.
Another scout explained the joy of seeing the drive: “I wanted to clap in appreciation, but you can’t do that. I stuck one hand in each pocket and pressed by thighs as hard as possible. Once I composed myself, I walked briskly to the bank of pay phones to call the office and tell them about this kid.
“I had to stand in line, the other scouts beat me to the phone banks.”
The outfielder received a $500,000 US signing bonus. Years later, Pelletier was at the Skydome watching the Mets and the Blue Jays. Sitting with other scouts - including Gillick - Ndungidi’s name came up.
“Pat said during his career he dealt with players, agents and lawyers,” Pelletier said, “and one of the toughest negotiations he ever had was with Papi’s father. Coming from Pat you have to believe it.”
And coming from Pelletier you believed it.
Claude … hard at work at a Montreal camp
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Pelletier passed away in the comfort of his home on Sunday, Dec. 14, at age 88. His baseball career and family were important to him bringing him gratification and joy.
Former Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins scout Jim Ridley used to say, “On the way back from Montreal, I’m stopping off to see Mr. Whoooo.” That was Ridley’s nickname for Pelletier and his vast train collection.
Deepest sympathies are expressed to his wife of 65 years, Frances and their children Gigi, Lison and Daniel Pelletier.