Snagging my 2,000th baseball at Olympic Stadium in 2003

In May of 2003, I road-tripped from New York City to Montreal with some friends to see a pair of Expos games. This was the final time that I used my old/clunky palmcorder, so the quality is sketchy. To make up for that, I've recorded some new commentary to go with the footage -- hopefully a fun look back at a stadium that is now only barely in use for baseball. (The Expos moved to Washington D.C. after the 2004 season; MLB has recently played a few pre-season exhibition games at Olympic Stadium.)

[@ExposClassics94]

Yes!!!! Thank you so much for posting footage from Olympic Stadium! This really brightened my day

[@zackhample]

You're welcome! I wish I had more.

[@jeasongagnon4332]

I miss my Expos! Those were my summers, Montreal feels different now! One day we'll have a downtown ballpark, without Loria and MLB ownership.

[@EZnation100]

Man, 16 years later and the Big O still looks exactly the same :')

[@CliffEugene]

As a baseball fan from Montreal, I getting really emotional watching this...It brings back awesome memories. Watching this made me smile. I want the Expos back so much. Thanks Zack, really! :)

[@mikeysawchyn9415]

Clifford Eugène i think they should get rid of the nationals and bring them back to Montreal

[@mikeysawchyn9415]

Clifford Eugène my question is did you become a nationals fan or did you shift to the blue jays

[@nickgoulakos5377]

These vids have inspired me to start filming a lot of the concerts/games I go to now!!! Always so cool to look back on good times and relive it. Thanks!

[@RubberClits]

Addicted to these videos, man. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Octolicia]

I went to the Olympic Stadium today for the very first time and I was mindblowned by the size. (I'm a scorekeeper for the minor league baseball association of Saint-Laurent, but I've never attended an MLB game.)

[@AndrewMocella]

Fantastic footage! I was at this game and remember that walk off HR like it was yesterday.

[@jrobbles9127]

5:50 May 24, 2003 was the exact time and date I was born OMG 😃😃. The same time you got the ball I was born

[@zackhample]

That's crazy. I love it!

[@wildethang93]

What a crazy stat that is, and one you should be proud of looking back at this video. That makes you 19, I think, this coming May 24th?

[@edwardpapera822]

wow!! Your love for going to Yankee Stadium, and of course Olympic Sd. but your love for Baseball is infectious. Thank You. My first trip To The Stadium was in 1968. I was 9 years old. What A Thrill, to say the least. It was the best game of the year b/ c it was the first Saturday of June and it was Bat Day!! I got a Micky Mantel Bat. Kid you not. Still have it to this day. If memory serves me, you were probably Born after they discontinued Bat Day. But who cares when you can share you have gotten 2001 Baseballs!! My Friend that must be a Major League record for a Fan. Well I need to end this, or I'll be going on forever. I thank you for the Old Stadium video. That was epic. Good luck and I hope to text again soon.

[@RustyisGreat5]

My Father when he went to Boston University. (He is a Red Sox fan all the way) he often rode on his motorcycle to Montreal and he saw Olympic stadium before the roof was finished.

[@JCTechspot]

Zack is awesome -- the funniest part is when he said "watch this guy absolutely crush this one" I thought the guy was gonna miss or barely hit it. One of the best you tubers out there, keep going bro. :)

[@JCTechspot]

So then I expected Vladimir Guerrero to do something legit historic, but I was fooled by Zack lmao -- love it

[@joeylopes8963]

This is another awesome video. Way to go, Zack!

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@carlostenorio9892]

It was cool to hear the Happy Wander playing when the Expos won. Great video. Viva Los Expos

[@zackhample]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@samfeltz5308]

This is awesome seeing all the old stadiums

[@samfeltz5308]

Vlad is probs my top 3 fav players

[@zackhample]

Glad you like these vids!

[@Schweinsteigerrr]

I like your vintage videos like these, I hope to see more, Cheers!

[@zackhample]

Thanks, you will. I still have three more.

[@Schweinsteigerrr]

nice, do you plan on making a trip to the Rogers Centre next season? would be cool to go to a game while ur in town..

[@alexdehmer6621]

I've been to Olympic Stadium. Wish I could have seen an Expos game there. I was only 4 years old when this video was filmed though. It's amazing how old fashioned everything looked even just 13 years ago.

[@zackhample]

Yup, seriously. Things change fast.

[@thebluejay6841]

Amazing video! So fun to watch!

[@zackhample]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thesalahster1124]

i love these type of videos keep uploading them zack good work

[@zackhample]

Thanks, will do.

[@emilioassuncao8330]

The guy at 9:04 says "Common, what do you wanna know?" and then the girl says something that ends with "good night man!" I miss the Expos... Hopefully we'll get a team back in Montreal soon!

[@duffyy1]

Expos will be back. Get ready Zack

[@d-mo733]

FLORIDA MARLINS, Turning season around at this point and into the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL!! Never forget this yr!..Josh Beckett had one of the BEST post seasons EVER!

[@Kevin_1337]

A big baseball fan you are. I wish I could be like you. I am a baseball fan supporting the Milwaukee Brewers. An odd team they are but I still have a fun time going to their games. I used to go to games at an old stadium and it was Turner Field where Atlanta Braves played back in 2008. I was young at that time. Then I moved to Milwaukee. I went to a state college league called North Woods League. Lakeshore Chinooks on our class trip back in 2016. A college team in a college called Concordia University. What a big win 8-3. Then I went to a Triple-A game with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Idk who they affiliate for. So yea that's my baseball life story. A lot is still left for me to learn but looking at this video, I mean wow you must be the first person in history to do all those things u did.

[@elikernaghan6511]

Kevin 1337 my cousin is a Concordia football player

[@Kevin_1337]

Eli Kernaghan oh wow that's nice what's his name?

[@imfromtheville]

These throwback videos are very cool. You should keep uploading them if you have more.

[@zackhample]

Thanks. I have three more . . .

[@TwoPyramid]

Olympic Stadium is the best. It glows!

[@NorthWestPvPlolrektnoob]

i’m so happy this video exists

[@nfc8266]

Nice video zack, those Phillies warm up jerseys were awesome haha.

[@zackhample]

Ha, thanks!

[@thedominatior39]

The amount of people there shows there still should be baseball in Montreal if there wasn't a strike in 94 they would have won a Pennet or WS they would still be there

[@zackhample]

I agree.

[@briancalifornia1]

thedominatior39 R that doesn't guarantee they would of won either.

[@freakyfornash]

Well that crowd was an exception for the time, but yeah. Even if the team didn't win it all in 94, fan interest still would have picked up, and would've had enough revenue to keep most of that core team intact, who also would have had more chances for another title or two. That of which would also have no doubt resulted in the new stadium the Expos needed in order to be viable long term finally coming true, but never happened as a result unfortunately.

[@briansclips1694]

The stadium looked very outdated for the time. If the Seattle Supersonics of the NBA and the Montreal Expos of the MLB got new stadium deals, they'd be back in their respective leagues in no time. Unfortunately it's unlikely either will get one...

[@vincentd3344]

I'm from Montréal, we'll get a new stadium soon. Bronfman, one of the richest person in Québec bought a field near Downtown Montréal to build a new stadium. Our Mayer Denis Coderre is trying really hard to bring Baseball back To Montréal and Québécois. I think the team will be back in the next 6-8 years. We'll probably get the TB Rays.

[@ATalkingBadger]

Love the video! Awesome seeing some Vladimir Guerrero footage! That guy is my hero. He's been my favorite ever since I started watching in 2002.

[@zackhample]

Glad you like it. I always loved watching him play.

[@ATalkingBadger]

Zack Hample Me too! One of my favorite moments happened when I was at an Angels game (when Vladdy was on the Angels). I can't remember who they were playing but he swung at a pitch that was practically in the dirt and got a home run out of it. I remember watching a game on TV where he hit a ball after it bounced in the dirt and got a hit! He was amazing. Can't forget that cannon of an arm too.

[@LegendOfJoey]

Nice video. Wish they would have baseball in Montreal again.

[@zackhample]

Thanks. Me too.

[@chrisw.p5665]

Ahhhh. I legit SMELL that building. Mixture of humid cement, cigarette smoke, beer, hot dogs and smoked meat.

[@jean-sebastienprimeau7454]

I landed on this video while looking at a Vlad Guerrero Jr one and it brought back some memories. :) ''Don't drink so much'' hehe, indeed!

[@fundude4566]

Still say Montreal deserves another team.

[@briancalifornia1]

Andrew Taylor The attendance sucks that's what drove the expos away

[@NewWaveFan1]

Loria and Selig drove them out...

[@freakyfornash]

And they'd no doubt still be around if the 94 strike didn't happen at the very worst possible time for that franchise too.

[@tigus1964]

great video thank you.. i was at 30 home games that year at the big O. bad managing , bad ownership was for a big part for the departure of the team.

[@zackhample]

You're welcome. 30 games is a lot! I envy you.

[@mihaifilms781]

another great video Zack keep em coming man🙂🙂

[@zackhample]

Thanks! Will do.

[@Brian00007]

Ahhhh the early 2000s what a time to be alive

[@maximehamelin156]

Great footage! - An Expos orphan

[@sportslife5129]

My ex-girlfriend should have made a video after she went through 2,000 balls.

[@tommymoreno9747]

I was 8 days old when you filmed this

[@noodlesinabaggaming9635]

They should add you in Cooperstown. 1. You've been a big part of baseball by catching Arods 3000 hit, Mike Trouts first home run, and you've snagged over 9,500 balls. 2. Ever player loves you.

[@zackhample]

Thanks, but I'm not at 9,475 yet, and some players dislike me.

[@bruh-wg3jo]

Zack Hample will you ever go to a football game?

[@bcranford714]

The world was so great pre social media

[@MontrealJunior]

Zack amazing work! First video I discovered was this and the 1993 World series. I wonder what was the camera of choice for the early 90's? I had the Sony F77 8mm, before it died on me and moved on to Mini DV in 2000.

[@bradleyburrows1015]

i went there for spring training last year it was sick

[@zackhample]

Glad you got to check it out.

[@RocketMixes]

i like these old home videos

[@zackhample]

I'm glad to hear that.

[@RocketMixes]

Zack Hample its crazy youve been to all these old stadiums too thats so cool. not many collectors today have been to all these old stadiums

[@jmwmotorsporthobbies4498]

Looks a lot different than it always did on TV.

[@johnbenedikt3951]

The Blue Jays do a couple of games at the beginning of the season at the Olympic Stadium every year. You should come check it out.

[@michaelc7938]

Awesome video!

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@cooperaffholder1222]

1 day 5 months and 2 years before a savage

[@bencoggins794]

hi im cooper no, before someone too young for the internet.

[@isaacdonnelly20]

Lets go Expos

[@kohhopcubed2002]

Would love to see all the signed memorabilia!

[@zackhample]

Might do a vid on that at some point.

[@emorywinston9438]

I love the Montreal expos

[@harrygordon3602]

Finally a old video that's good. No offense

[@zackhample]

You didn't like the others?

[@tonyremaro7132]

This video was made the day my parents got married

[@AlBeebe]

Did anyone notice the red foul pole. Thats awesome!

[@trevorsharkey9901]

Zach, you took this video 2 days before my birthday and I'm from the Philadelphia area

[@paullilko41]

lol Jimmy Rollins always loved him as a player

[@zackhample]

Yup, me too.

[@b-coregaming1348]

How crazy, u got #2000 the day I was born. May 24 2003

[@zackhample]

Amazing!

[@b-coregaming1348]

Zack Hample u caught it 1 hour and 24 mins before I was born

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

I was born 4294736 seconds before this video!

[@matthewmaynard1031]

Zack you should head back to MTL next spring when the Jays hold spring training exhibition games in Montreal

[@chrisbegetis3414]

Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible lol

[@NewWaveFan1]

I miss that team...

[@MusicandGamesandStuf]

many of us do

[@colinwatson402]

Vladimir Guerrero was the man. idolized everything about him growing up. HOF 2016 no doubt, and well deserved.

[@zackhample]

I hope he makes it.

[@maxlacloche4329]

RIP Rheal Cormier

[@spacemansports4129]

11:43 sadly you can’t do that anymore in Montreal 😢

[@Peyethon]

Did you ever go to the old Arlington stadium.

[@nedseekamp8191]

Do more of these videos.

[@thatlsukid741]

I was born on the day you went to the next day may 25 2003 man I'm loving ur videos can't wait for the next season come to turner field sometime jk hahaha suntrst park

[@colindille1090]

Thatlsukid 7 ayeee same

[@zackhample]

Ha! Hopefully I'll make it back to Atlanta next year. Happy birthday, or something like that. :)

[@colby2274]

BringBackExpos MontrealNeedsBaseball

[@geovanyjuarez8498]

that was on my birthdate thanks zack

[@zackhample]

Nice!

[@Huntingthenorth]

Still won’t and never will believe that we lost our team 😞

[@thefred1392]

Great vid and commentary. Quick question: have you ever had trouble getting cameras into stadiums?

[@zackhample]

Thanks! I've never gotten in trouble but I've been asked several times not to film.

[@MrLyosea]

Aye, today is 20 years since this video was first recorded! (May 24th 2023)

[@danielspector8861]

Joe Roa is in Michigan now and teaches pitching lessons nowadays. Not sure if he has a regular job or that's it. Really nice guy

[@draker1053]

DanielSpector88 how do you know that

[@draker1053]

He is my dad

[@HarrisonPeloso]

Congrats on 2000 baseballs. How was your trip out to the game?

[@zackhample]

Thank you. It was a great trip overall.

[@joeymckean9897]

You and Dodger Films must do a video together next season it would be awesome

[@zackhample]

I will if he wants to.

[@crzyboi8813]

This was on my birthday

[@jeasongagnon4332]

This stadium was all i knew back in the day. Til I witnessed Camden Yards. I see Montreal getting a team back at the Big O for 2 years and a new stadium downtown! Rays are moving up 2020 i'm sure.

[@chrisbegetis3414]

I mean they said not before 2025 so they need a new stadium, I think it’s also the best time cause Montreal is hosting 2-3 FIFA World Cup games in 2026

[@wchiampas]

Do you have any videos of Candlestick Park?

[@zackhample]

Yes! I have three more old ones, and one is from SF.

[@alexw0310]

I tried using CC to figure what you said in French at 9:15, but it said "yeah one we not pushing for Naboo vapo". :/

[@zackhample]

Ha! Almost . . .

[@tristanedwards3930]

Good video zack

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@spacemansports4129]

I was born a month and 10 days after this video

[@jeasongagnon4332]

This place was all i knew when it came to baseball until I did a few other stadiums. Now i know why the Expos had to leave. They had too, Selig was right they couldn't play there anymore. It's only good for two more seasons for the next Montreal Baseball club then off to the new stadium downtown Montreal aka Peel Basin.

[@smittyhd2697]

Born exactly the next year

[@harrygordon3602]

Will you be posting an apartment tour vid this month. That would be lit

[@zackhample]

Not sure about this month, but yeah, eventually.

[@heatherbauer2005]

Zack Bon Nuit means good night

[@ericshellhouse2834]

Please do a video on your ticket stubs!

[@zackhample]

Good idea. Someday for sure.

[@itzwick6933]

What was your favorite stadium back then (before 2000) and what is your favorite stadium now?

[@zackhample]

I always loved Turner Field. Nowadays . . . Camden Yards.

[@imfromtheville]

I miss playing at Olympic Stadium back in the MVP Baseball days. It would be awesome if MLB The Show brought it back.

[@MrWongBurger]

Same here, Ive been playing MVP Baseball 2005 the past couple of weeks on PC.

[@BaseballHeadquarters]

Ville24 yeah, they brought back places like the MetroStad, Old Marlins Stadium, Shea shadium, and old Yankee stadium, they should have brought this one back too.

[@CreepyCreeperStudios]

Yes, plz do make a video about your autograph collection

[@zackhample]

Okay, will do . . . someday.

[@thatnickjones]

RIP Expos

[@Evaristoxd]

zack the best of the world

[@zackhample]

:)

[@alecdelsignore3866]

And loving the vid

[@PaulHahrrgis_]

Looked like a pretty decent turnout on that particular evening

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Go Expos!

[@ExposClassics94]

Chris L Agreed!

[@justinmerrlles7937]

Are you going to the Jays in Montreal in March?

[@dianatutty1712]

Justin Merrlles I’m going to it tonight

[@justinmerrlles7937]

Diana Tutty I went last night. It was pretty good.

[@Gabriel-bo8pb]

Close to when I was born

[@skinnytoddler2077]

I love your profile picture man!

[@BaronMagick]

Do you have more videos from 00s? Also, lovely video

[@zackhample]

Thanks, but no, this is it for that decade. I have three more from the 1990s.

[@paulux20]

Hey Zack, Maybe I haven't researched enough or just don't know....but do you have footage of when your consecutive games with at least 1 ball, started?

[@zackhample]

No but thanks for asking.

[@th3maverick180]

I was born 53 weeks after this

[@euginate1344]

I was born 51 and a half weeks after this

[@BaseballHeadquarters]

Coaster FanBoy I was born 22 weeks after this

[@Gene601]

I was born 290 months before this.

[@marinerfan6888]

8:05 that's CB Buckner behind the dish