Phillies’ Montgomery Returns to Team

The following is a press release from the Philadelphia Phillies:

The Phillies announced today that David Montgomery will assume the position of Chairman of the Phillies, and Bill Giles will take the position of Chairman Emeritus.  Pat Gillick will continue in his current position as President of the Phillies.

David Montgomery was named President of the Phillies, succeeding Bill Giles on June 20, 1997.  He first joined the Phillies in 1971 at an entry-level position, just as Veterans Stadium opened.  He advanced through the Sales and Marketing Departments to become the Phillies Executive Vice President in 1981 and Chief Operating Officer in 1992.  Under his leadership, the Phillies had arguably their finest era in baseball, winning the World Series in 2008, returning to the World Series in 2009, and winning five consecutive National League Eastern Division titles from 2007 through 2011, only the fifth organization in baseball to ever win five division titles in a row.  In the 2011 season, the Phillies won the most games in franchise history, 102.  Montgomery also oversaw the design and construction of two Phillies popular new ballparks, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida, both of which opened in 2004.

During his 44 years in baseball, Montgomery has been active in a wide range of areas for Major League Baseball, serving on the board of MLB’s Executive Council, MLB Enterprises, and a number of other committees.

He is likewise active in many local organizations, including currently serving as Chairman of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, and as a Board Member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Need in Deed, a Philadelphia classroom to community charitable organization.  A 1968 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and 1970 Wharton School alumnus, Montgomery has been very active within the University of Pennsylvania community.

It is expected that in his role as Phillies Chairman, Montgomery will remain active in Philadelphia civic, business, sports, and charitable endeavors, and also will maintain his close association with Phillies fans, customers, and sponsors.  He will continue to be very involved in Major League Baseball committees and projects, as well.

David Montgomery said the following: “I am fortunate to be healthy enough now to resume some of my previous responsibilities.  I am very appreciative that Pat Gillick is willing and available to remain as the club’s President.  Pat and I have become very close since he joined us in the fall of 2005.  I look forward to returning to work as Phillies Chairman.”

In a front-office career that began in 1963, Pat Gillick has been the General Manager of four Major League Baseball teams: the Toronto Blue Jays (1978-1994); Baltimore Orioles (1996-1998); Seattle Mariners (2000-2003); and the Phillies (2006-2008). With Gillick as GM the Blue Jays won two World Series Championships in 1992 and 1993, and the Phillies won in 2008. In December of 2010 Gillick was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  He has served as a Senior Advisor to the President and General Manager for the Phillies since 2009.