Le Journal de Montreal tells very sad stories of former Expos players

Le Journal de Montreal has an outstanding, yet disturbing look at a number of former Montreal Expos who have experienced very hard times. Pick up the February  23rd edition of the paper if you can.

Ron LeFlore

The main feature, by writer Jim Hawkins, is about Ron LeFlore. His life story was made into a TV movie while he was with the Detroit Tigers, depicting his move from prison to the ball field. LeFlore joined the Expos in 1980 and stole 97 bases. Ironically, the one-time speedster had one of his legs amputed a few years ago in 2009.

Besides Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who lost his battle with cancer last year, the story focuses on a number of other ex-Expos: pitcher Pascual Perez, murdered last November; outfielder Ivan Calderone, murdered in 2003; pitcher Hideki Irabu, took him own life on July 27, 2011; outfielder Carl Everett, arrested for conjugal violence; pitcher Carolos Perez, accusations of sexual misconduct; pitcher Lary Sorensen, multiple drunk driving charges sunk his marriage and career as a broadcaster forcing him to seek work at a McDonald's restaurant; pitcher Terry Enyart, alcoholism led to him hitting his wife with a bottle, attempting to strangle the family dog and ultimately committing suicide; shortstop/outfielder Wil Cordero, conjugal violence, blew away millions of dollars and now works in a deli for $8.25 an hour; pitcher Ugueth Urbina, imprisoned on attempted murder charges after using a  machete  to attack five men he found on his ranch.

These days the best Expos coverage can be found Monday evenings on TSN 690 Radio on the Kaufman Show --with host Dave Kaufman. Matthew Ross and his Game Points on Sundays and Tuesdays also falls into this category.