Gallagher: Expos Fest was a blast

Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who began his career with the Montreal Expos, was one of the star attractions of Expos Fest on Saturday. Photo: Danny Gallagher

April 28, 2026

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Laval, Que. -- At one table were the famous Canadian-born Expos battery mates from 1993: Joe Siddall and Denis Boucher.

Next to them was another fine Canadian, Bill Atkinson.

Then there were two 1970s fireballers at the same table: Balor Moore and Don Demola, the latter of whom is nicknamed "Three Digits'' by Steve Rogers, referring to his 100 mph velocity.

This was the scene at Expos Fest, the magnificent fund-raiser held each year at the Embassy Plaza in the Montreal suburb of Laval with proceeds going to the Kat Demes Pavilion at Montreal Children's Hospital.

Before the autograph festival started, there was a long lineup for Marquis Grissom, making his first appearance at the extravaganza in many years.

"Grip!'' I shouted to him before he went to his table. He turned around, recognized my voice and hugged me and said, "Call me anytime.''

Former Montreal Expos manager Felipe Alou at Expos Fest on Saturday. Photo: Danny Gallagher

Felipe Alou, 90, a former Expos player, coach and manager, drew a lot of A-lou, A-lou calls.

I went up to this familiar face and said, "How are things in Vermont?'' Bill Lee looked up and said, "I know you.''

We hugged and my wife Sherry, eager for a photo with him, hugged him. Both my wife and Spaceman are into spirituality so, there's a connection between the two.

Lee looked at the cover of my new book and said, "Willie Davis! He played in the 1973 all-star game. I was the only guy on the American League not used. Dick Williams was the manager.''

Tom Foley, Mike Fitzgerald and Andy McGaffigan, close friends since the 1980s, were aptly placed at one table for autographs. Foley purchased my book and I told him his chapter was No. 21.

Randy Johnson was the star of the show during the day and at night at the gala. Bidding on his uniform, with encouragement from announcer Pat Laprade, reached a sold decibel of an amazing $9,300. Pedro Martinez made an appearance at the banquet but he didn't sign autos during the day.

Pedro isn't that keen on large-group autograph gigs but it was still a thrill to see him. Big Unit and Pedro are the only Expos to be inducted into Cooperstown the same year. Felipe managed Johnson in the minor leagues and Pedro in the majors.

Like every year, there was a special lineup for Bill Stoneman and Steve Rogers.

Elias Sosa, a solid pitcher from the late 1970s, was there. I told him I'd tried to get a hold of him several times over the years with no luck.

Bosom buddies Cliff Floyd and Rondell White were on hand again side by side. I keep telling people they are so-close they live on the same street in Davie, Florida.

George Kobitsakis, brother-in-law of the brilliant Expos Fest operator Perry Giannias, told me the cool story of how Rondell was scheduled to fly back to Florida on Sunday but George told him he had tickets for the Canadiens game against Tampa Bay at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Rondell called his wife and got permission to hang around Montreal for another day.

There was the great Moises Alou, fireballer Javier Vazquez, soft-tossing lefty Kirk Rueter, reliever Dave Veres, Cool Lou Frazier, Michael Barrett, Claude Raymond, catcher renown Darrin Fletcher and hulking Fernando Seguignol, whose big-mitts handshake would make you never forget.

Montreal Canadiens great Larry Robinson, so appreciative of Giannias' fund-raising efforts, was on hand to sign autographs and even at the banquet, he could be seen walking around to tables and shaking hands and posing for photos. One fan, carrying one skate at the gala, approached Big Bird to see if he would sign it with a white marker. He did.

There were changes made this year to speed up the autograph lineups. No posed photos were allowed with signees and no selfies were permitted. Seasoned attendee like Frank Michaelis skirted the rules a bit by walking away from each subject to take a long-range selfie. In one instance, Michaelis was moved along by a staffer but Johnson recognized his plight and smiled at his camera.

I want to thank Perry, his sister Dina Bourdakos and all their families and many volunteers for such a tremendous event. There's a guy from St. Thomas, Ontario, who comes every year to volunteer and pick up/drop off players at Pearson Airport.

I also want to thank Perry and Dina for allowing me to set up shop and sell books. It was a blast. I sold a slew of books and made a $65 donation toward the Kat Demes Pavilion.

Danny Gallagher's new book The Tragic Story of Willie Davis: and More Expos Vignettes will be officially released at bookstores across Canada on May 5