By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Longtime Philadelphia Phillies executive David Montgomery, one of the most respected and admired in baseball, lost his five-year battle with cancer Wednesday morning, passing away at the age of 72.
Montgomery began his career with the Phillies in the inaugural year of Veterans Stadium, 1971. Among his many roles, he started out in the sales office selling season and group tickets during the day, and helped operate the scoreboard at night, before later becoming co-owner — through a $30 million purchase deal — president, and most recently, chairman.
“David was one of Philadelphia’s most influential business and civic leaders in his generation,” said Phillies Managing Partner John Middleton. “For 25 years, he has been an invaluable business partner and, more importantly, an invaluable friend. He was beloved by everyone at the Phillies. Leigh and I are saddened beyond words at David’s passing and extend our love and sympathy to Lyn, his children and grandchildren.”
Montgomery was instrumental in founding the Phillies Phestival, which has raised not only awareness, but also millions of dollars to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS. The Phestival will celebrate its 35th year next month at Citizens Bank Park. Montgomery also spearheaded the transition (from Veterans Stadium) and construction project of the venue, which opened in 2004.
In March 2018, the Phillies honored Montgomery by naming their spring training indoor facility after him. This past World Series, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred honored Montgomery by writing down his name during the Stand Up To Cancer "placard moment." A few days later, Montgomery's Roxborough hometown ball field — Daisy Field in Wissshickon Park (5000 Hermit Lane, Philadelphia, PA) — was renamed to David Montgomery Field.
"I feel very blessed," Montgomery told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki in October. "I just hope and pray that others get the opportunity that I did. But as it has happened to me so many times in my life, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, with parents that cared."
Montgomery's Executive Roles with Phillies
- Executive VP after the 1981 season, when Bill Giles purchased the Phillies from the Carpenter family.
- COO, 1992-1997
- General partner, president and CEO, 1997 to August 2014
- Chairman, January 2015 to May 2019
“David was truly a great man. I have never known a person with more integrity or who truly cared so much about everyone who worked for the Phillies,” said Giles, the Phillies' current chairman emeritus. “He and I worked hand-in-hand for over 30 years. During that time, I saw his unparalleled love for his family, the Phillies and the team’s fans, and of course, the City of Philadelphia. David was a big reason why the Phillies won 12 division championships, five National League championships and two World Series championships in that time. He was a fierce competitor in everything he did, including his battle to fight his illness. He will be tremendously missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Phillies.com writes:
Montgomery was so influential at MLB’s New York headquarters that he was once considered a legitimate candidate to become commissioner. …
In addition to holding positions on various MLB committees, Montgomery served in a number of capacities at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, he was a trustee, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. He also served on the policy board of WXPN, the university’s member-supported radio station. He also gave much his time and effort in volunteer positions at PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Need in Deed, a non-profit working with children in Philadelphia public schools; the Children’s Scholarship Fund; and the Walnut Street Theatre.
Montgomery received numerous honors in recent years. In 2018, the new indoor training facility at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater was named in his honor. He received the Allan H. (Bud) Selig Executive Leadership Award from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, the Ed Snider Lifetime Distinguished Humanitarian Award from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, and has been recognized by the Mural Arts Program, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Daisy Field, the same field in Wissahickon Park where he grew up playing baseball as a kid, was renamed for him in a dedication ceremony on Nov. 3, 2018. Just last week, he was honored by the Fairmount Park Conservancy as the recipient of the Centennial Award for Civic Leadership.
Montgomery had undergone surgery in May 2014 to remove cancer from his right jaw bone; he is survived by his wife, Lyn; three children, Harry, Sam and Susa; one granddaughter, Elizabeth and two grandsons, Cameron and Will.
