Fitzpatrick: Snyder, Montreal politician who brought MLB to Canada, inducted into Canadian ball hall

Montreal politician Gerry Snyder worked tirelessly to bring Major League Baseball to Canada and he accomplished his goal in 1968. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously on Saturday. Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

June 7, 2025

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

What Gerry Snyder meant to the city of Montreal cannot be overstated.

The beloved politician was a driving factor in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada, but also the 1976 Olympics, the first Montreal F1 Grand Prix in 1978, and he helped the Toronto Blue Jays find their training facility home in Dunedin, Fla.

For his determined efforts and passion for his community, he was named one of the first Queen’s Silver Jubilee Award recipients in 1978, and now, he’s received a posthumous induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Snyder’s son, Gary, and his daughter, Arlene were in St. Marys, Ont., on Saturday to accept the induction and give a heartfelt speech.

The family has always been close. In fact, Gary received what he calls “the best birthday present ever” on his 10th birthday, as that May 27th, 1968 was when Montreal was finally awarded a MLB franchise after months of labouring from Gerry.

“The excitement about getting MLB in Canada was beyond comprehension. They used to tell my dad, ‘Ah, you’ll never get it,’” Arlene recalled, “Once we did, they were good for a while and we looked forward to every game. So I would tell anyone who missed those days, you missed a good time.”

As Arlene put it, the doubt surrounding the potential acquisition of the team that would become the Montreal Expos was immense.

Gerry was an unparalleled sportsman, businessman, and politician though. He managed to convince 10 separate local businesses to pitch in $1-million to go towards the league’s $10-million franchise fee.

None of the local business owners even knew each other. It was all thanks to his charisma and charm.

Yet, he often kept that to himself. His exploits in bringing the Expos to life were only seen and recognized by those very well informed.

“My father was a man whose name may not be on the back of a jersey, but without whom there may never have been baseball in Canada,” Gary explained during his speech, “His name wasn’t on the scoreboards, but every fan who cheered in Jarry Park or Olympic Stadium owes quite a debt of gratitude to the man who planted the first seeds.”

Not only did Gerry plant the seeds, but he grew them as well. As with most expansion teams, the Expos struggled in their early years.

It was Snyder’s convincing that got John McHale to leave his role as MLB deputy commissioner and become the Expos’ first team president.

Under McHale, the Expos transformed from a new team into serious contenders, with draft picks Tim Raines, Gary Carter, and Andre Dawson leading the team to a deep postseason run in 1981.

While at the time, Snyder stepped back into his role as a councillor for the Snowdon district without proper recognition in the baseball scene, he’s now getting his flowers.

“It really was a big surprise, because after 50 years, we thought that time had passed for any recognition he would have been given for his role in bringing MLB to Canada,” said Gary.

Later that day, as he stepped up to the podium and delivered his speech, his closing remarks stuck with everyone in attendance.

“Let’s all say, with gratitude and pride, thank you, dad. You helped build something timeless, and today, you take your place with the other honoured 2025 inductees from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Canada remembers, and we wish you were here today.”