‘The Last Expo.’ Brad Wilkerson has a unique nickname, one that will continue to stick with him, at least until the Montreal Expos return. Following the final Expos game in 2004, Wilkerson represented the team as part of a Major League Baseball squad that took on professionals in Japan, making him the last man to ever officially don the jersey of the team that was affectionately known as ‘Nos Amours.’

Appearing on TSN 690 Montreal Sunday, Wilkerson expressed his feelings about the recent Montreal baseball developments with an emphatic tone.

“I’m very excited for the city of Montreal. I’ve said this before, Montreal is a great baseball city and a great place to play.”

When asked about his highlights in Montreal, Wilkerson points to the resurgent 2003 season, when the Expos were in a wildcard spot chase until September.

“It was amazing. We had a ball club that played hard every day and didn’t make excuses, and I think the fans respected us. It was so exciting to be able to bring the fans back to the stadium. Unless you’re there, people don’t understand how loud it can get in the Big Owe.”

A former first round pick by the Expos in 1998, the former outfielder and first baseman had his biggest success while playing in La Belle Province from 2001 to 2004. Wilkerson played a hard-nosed, aggressive style, mostly in centre field. He finished second in the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, and hit a career high 32 home runs in 2004.

At the final Expos home game on September 29, 2004, Wilkerson was famously brought to tears on the field following the final out.

He retired in 2009.

Now involved in high school coaching in Florida, Wilkerson said that his schedule prevented him from a return trip to Montreal to take in the 2014 and 2015 MLB preseason games, which featured former teammates Orlando Cabrera and Vladimir Guerrero being honoured on the field.

“I was following the updates on Twitter during the preseason games this year. I heard it was an unbelievable experience and I’m just so happy for the city of Montreal to be able to see baseball again.”

As for his Last Expo moniker, Wilkerson is proud to continue to wear it.

“I feel honoured and privileged to be able to say that I was, to this point, the last person to wear the Expos uniform. I was happy to represent such a great city.

“I’ve imagined what it would be like to have a downtown stadium in Montreal and look forward to the day that it will happen.”

