http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=107651
WASHINGTON (CP) - Claude Raymond, a beloved player, broadcaster and coach who spent more than 40 years with the Montreal Expos, won't be joining the team in Washington after the Nationals declined to renew his contract as roving instructor Friday.
Raymond, 66, had said he wanted to remain with the team but instead becomes another part in the coaching staff's turnover, joining already departed third-base coach Manny Acta and first-base coach Jerry Morales.
''We appreciate what Claude has done as a roving coach for the team the past three seasons but we have decided to go in a different direction,'' Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said in a release.
''We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.''
The native of St-Jean, Que., became the first Canadian to wear an Expos uniform when he joined the club in 1969.
He had one of his best seasons in 1970, when the right-handed reliever earned 23 saves while going 6-7 with a 4.20 earned-run average.
Raymond retired following the 1971 season and proceeded to spend 12 years as the Expos' analyst on radio broadcasts and then 17 more in the same role with SRC Television.
He was hired as the team's roving instructor prior to the 2002 season, serving as one of the few connections the team's more successful past.
Few were as emotional as Raymond during the team's final days and he received a huge ovation from the crowd during the Expos' finale in Montreal.
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