Stark: A remembrance of Phillies chairman David Montgomery, who made everyone feel like family
From SABR member Jayson Stark at The Athletic on May 8, 2019:
The last time I saw David Montgomery, he was doing what he cherished most — sitting beneath the Florida sunshine, in a beautiful ballpark that he helped build, watching his baseball team play, talking about a sport he never stopped loving…
And a sport that never stopped loving him back.
The chairman of the Phillies died Wednesday morning after a five-year battle with cancer, a battle that sapped his strength but none of his never-ending grace. I’ve met hundreds of people in baseball in my time covering this game, but none like David. He lived out a life-long love affair with his sport, but he also did something that would seem impossible — for anyone but him.
He was beloved by all, disliked by no one. I never ran across a single person, in any setting, who wasn’t happy to see him. He spent his entire adult life working in the booing capital of the world — yet he acted like a man who heard only cheers.
So the sadness that swept over baseball Wednesday, following the passing of maybe its most loved and admired citizen, was almost indescribable. Baseball has never had a classier, more dignified, more respected, more upbeat ambassador than this man.
Read the full article here (subscription required): https://theathletic.com/968489/2019/05/08/stark-a-remembrance-of-phillies-chairman-david-montgomery-who-made-everyone-feel-like-family/
- Related link: Watch highlights from Phillies CEO David Montgomery’s opening remarks at the 2013 SABR convention in Philadelphia
Originally published: May 10, 2019. Last Updated: May 10, 2019.