Hamels Returns to Philadelphia to Honor Phillies Chairman

Former Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels hugging team chairman David Montgomery at the Daisy Field renaming ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. Hamels, who will turn 35 on Dec. 27, had his $20 million club option exercised by the Chicago Cubs just two days prior (Phillies/Instagram).

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Many well-known faces within the Philadelphia community were at Roxborough's Wissshickon Park on Sunday, not to enjoy the fall weather, but rather to honor a Philadelphia Phillies icon, chairman David Montgomery.

Formerly Daisy Field, the baseball field at the park had its name changed to David P. Montgomery Field in a special dedication ceremony hosted by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Phillies and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. Montgomery grew up playing on the field.

Along with Larry Bowa, Phillies public address announcer Dan Baker, Flyers Charities, and the Philadelphia Eagles, one surprising attendee at the ceremony — despite being traded away more than three years ago — was 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, Cole Hamels.

"Dave has been such a monumental inspiration and leader since I came up with the Phillies,"  Hamels said.

"He taught all of us what it really means to be a Philadelphia Phillie."

Read: MLB Commissioner Honors Phillies Chairman David Montgomery at World Series

Montgomery, 72, began his career with the Phillies in the inaugural year of Veterans Stadium, 1971. He worked in the team's sales office selling season and group tickets, before becoming co-owner — through a $30 million purchase deal — president, and now chairman.

"I feel very blessed," Montgomery told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. "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."