Phillies President David Montgomery is one of the nicest, genuine men in the game of baseball. Today, the Phillies announced that Montgomery would be taking a leave of absence from the team in order to tend to his health. According to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury, Montgomery will be stepping away from the team immediately. In the interim, former Phillies General Manager and current team advisor Pat Gillick will step in to fill Montgomery's duties.
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly has a statement from Gillick:
"I have the highest regard for David Montgomery, as does everyone in our industry," Gillick said in a statement issued by the team. "I am glad to be of assistance to the Phillies."
Gillick has not served as a team president before, but was rumored to be considered for such a post in Seattle upon his Phillies retirement. Gillick, however, stayed with the team.
As Salisbury noted on Twitter, Montgomery was present at Citizens Bank Park last night for the Taney Dragons celebration and was joyously greeting the team. Montgomery was hospitalized for surgery back in May, though he retained his role with the team. The report from today indicates that Montgomery will reassume his duties soon as he is able to. After surgery and a hospitalization next week at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Montgomery will continue to recover at home.
We extend our thoughts and prayers to Montgomery during this time and wish him a speedy recovery.
