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Honoring the life and legacy of David Montgomery, former President and CEO of the Philadelphia Phillies, and recognizing his contributions to Major League Baseball and the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, David Montgomery was born on June 26, 1946, in the Roxborough Section of Philadelphia. A lifelong Phillies fan, Montgomery fondly recalled his family’s early trips to see the team at Connie Mack Stadium; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from William Penn Charter School in 1964, Montgomery attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an Undergraduate Degree in History and a Graduate Degree in Business Administration. During his years at Penn, Montgomery also served as an assistant high school football and baseball coach and regularly attended Phillies games with classmate and future-governor, Ed Rendell; and
WHEREAS, After graduating a semester early with his MBA in December 1970, Montgomery was disappointed to learn that most major firms were not interested in hiring him until May, so Rendell encouraged him to apply for a job with the Philadelphia 76ers. With a different sport in mind, Montgomery was connected by an acquaintance to Bill Giles, who was then the Phillies’ Vice President of Business Operations. Montgomery was quickly hired into the Club’s Sales Department where, he joked, he made $20 less than he did delivering diapers as a student; and
WHEREAS, Sensing an opportunity to grow in his new role, Montgomery’s energy and dedication made him a rising star with the Phillies Organization. He held various positions in the Club’s front office during the 1970s, even working as the team’s scoreboard operator after his regular work hours. Soon, Montgomery’s business acumen and dedication to the Organization earned him the titles of Vice President for Business Operations and, eventually, Executive Vice President; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing his impact on the Organization, Montgomery was made co-general partner and joined Phillies ownership in 1994. Just three years later, in 1997, when Bill Giles stepped aside as the public face of the ownership group, Montgomery was tapped as his replacement; and
WHEREAS, Montgomery was central to the Phillies’ efforts to build a new stadium to replace their outdated home at Veterans Stadium, helping to secure $200 million in state and local support for the construction of the Phillies’ new South Philadelphia facility. The team’s ongoing investments in its on-the-field performance under Montgomery’s leadership also began to pay dividends. During Montgomery’s tenure as Team President, the Phillies won five division titles, two National League pennants and the 2008 World Series; and
WHEREAS, David Montgomery also helped to shape the present and future of the game he loved so much, helping to advocate for several landmark changes within Major League Baseball. As a result of his advocacy, the MLB adopted a revenue-sharing model to ensure greater parity and competition across the league and instituted a wild card round in the playoffs to bring more excitement to the league’s postseason; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, the Phillies honored Montgomery by naming in his honor their newly completed indoor practice facility at the team’s Spring Training home in Clearwater, FL. Looking back on his 47-year career with the Club, Montgomery said “I've just been so fortunate… I had the opportunity to work for the team I rooted for in the City I've lived in and loved my entire life”; and
WHEREAS, David Montgomery had a passion for giving back to the City that he called home and was deeply involved in the Phillies’ community initiatives throughout his years with the Club. As a result of Montgomery’s efforts, the Phillies partnered with the City to bring the Ryan Howard Training Center to Marian Anderson Recreation Center and the Richie Ashburn Baseball Fields to FDR Park. These facilities have helped bring the game of baseball to thousands of children in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, David Montgomery’s most lasting impact on the Phillies will be found in the kindness and generosity with which he treated those around him. Explaining his business philosophy, David said: "I believe that in whatever capacity you work for us, you determine the Phillies Family… As a family member, it's our responsibility to treat you like family.” David Montgomery was truly a man of the people, and always took the time to speak with every Phillies fan. Whether they sat in the Diamond Club or sat in the nosebleeds, David cherished the opportunity to speak to the fans and hear what they had to say about the team he loved; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors the life and legacy of David Montgomery, former President and CEO of the Philadelphia Phillies, and recognizes his contributions to Major League Baseball and the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Lyn Montgomery as a testament of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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