Gerry Snyder: Montreal’s Ambassador for Sports
Born on February 14, 1920, in Montreal, Quebec, Gerry Snyder played a pivotal role in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada. As a Montreal city councillor and passionate sports advocate, he worked tirelessly to secure a major league franchise for the city. Elected to Montreal’s municipal council in 1957 as councillor for the Snowdon district, Snyder served for 25 years, holding key positions such as vice-president of the city’s Executive Council and vice-president of the public transit commission.
After the International League Montreal Royals folded in 1960, he used his position in city government to begin lobbying for an MLB team, first meeting with Commissioner Ford Frick in 1962. Unfortunately, a lack of a suitable baseball stadium in Montreal remained a major obstacle. When the National League announced expansion plans in 1967, Snyder revived his campaign, gaining support from Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley and persuading a skeptical Mayor Jean Drapeau to champion the cause. Overcoming significant hurdles, including finding a ballpark and an ownership group, he successfully convinced NL owners in May, 1968 that Montreal was the right choice for a franchise (see artifact 1).
As the bid neared approval, a new challenge arose – no one had yet stepped forward to provide the financial backing required by the league. Snyder personally convinced Charles Bronfman, one of Montreal’s leading businessmen, to become the team’s principal owner. He also identified Jarry Park (see artifact 2) as a temporary stadium that could be expanded in time for the 1969 season, while Drapeau assured that a new baseball-only stadium would be built by 1973 (a promise later delayed due to Montreal securing the 1976 Olympic Games).
Snyder’s relentless efforts were finally rewarded on May 27, 1968, when the National League officially awarded Montreal its first MLB franchise, making history as Canada’s first major league baseball team (see artifact 3). He also played a key role in recruiting John McHale as the team’s first president. While the franchise’s later years were marked by struggles, the Expos remained a beloved part of Canadian baseball history and helped pave the way for the sport’s growth in the country.
Beyond baseball, Snyder was instrumental in bringing the Olympic Games to Montreal and securing the Canadian Grand Prix (Formula 1) starting in 1978. He even played a role in establishing the Toronto Blue Jays’ first spring training home in Florida, recommending Dunedin, FL, when the team joined the MLB in 1977. For his many contributions, Snyder was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and earned the nickname “Montreal’s Ambassador for Sports.” He passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion for sports in Canada.
Photographs appear courtesy of Le Journal de Montréal and the Snyder family.
