Hall-of-Famer John McHale Sr. Helped Build The Expos
Blue Jays and Today's Canadian Stars Have Legend to Thank

St. Marys – Hall-of-Famer John McHale Sr., 86, died peacefully at the Hospice of Martin County, in Stuart, Florida this morning, due to complications following a series of strokes suffered over the holidays.  The original president of the Montreal Expos, who was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 along with Pat Gillick, resided in Palm City.

“John and the entire McHale family were tremendous supporters of the Hall of Fame - he literally put the original shovel into the ground on our 32-acre site here in St. Marys,” said Ball Hall president & CEO Tom Valcke.

“Thanks largely to John, not only did the Expos quickly become Canada's team, but they also paved the way for the Blue Jays as well as stimulated the grass roots programs throughout Canada, raising baseball's profile significantly from coast to coast and producing the stars you see emerging today.”

Fellow inductee Jim Fanning, who worked for McHale when both were in Milwaukee, Atlanta and Montreal, praised McHale as a giant in the baseball industry.

“He was a fantastic man and knew every aspect of baseball. I don't think there is a blemish on his record.  He was a mentor for so many people,” added Fanning from his home in Dorchester, Ontario.

Following a relatively short playing career as a first baseman who batted left and threw right, the Detroit native acquired a wealth of front office experience and achieved countless successes with the Tigers and the Milwaukee Braves.  He oversaw the Braves move to Atlanta, and shortly after moved to New York to join the Commissioner's Office.  In 1967, Commissioner William Eckert and owner Charles Bronfman convinced McHale to take the Montreal Expos under his wing, which he did for almost 20 years.  In addition to overseeing the move from Jarry Park to Olympic Stadium, he also served as the club's general manager from 1978-84, where he orchestrated five consecutive winning seasons and led the Expos to their lone season of playoff action in 1981, where they lost the final game of the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Rick Monday's ninth-inning homerun.  McHale was awarded The Sporting News Executive of the Year award in 1981.

McHale was survived by six children, including, John Jr., who is currently a vice-president of Major League Baseball.  He is predeceased by his wife Patti.

Funeral arrangements had not been confirmed at the time of this release.

ST MARYS – 17 January 2008

PLEASE NOTE: 2008 SUMMER CAMPS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

* Week-long camps (drop off Sunday, pick-up Saturday), including
accommodation & meals
        * Focus on baseball FUNdamentals, swimming, soccer & tennis, trip to Rogers Centre
        * Social Justice and Cultural Awareness programs incorporated
        * Baseball Celebrities to take part

KEY DATES IN 2007-2008:

June 27, 2008 – 12th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic
June 28, 2008 – 2008 Induction Ceremony at 11am
July 6, 2008 – Team Canada games

For more information, please contact: