Today was a big day for the Phillies organization in the community as they celebrated their 30th Anniversary of their partnership with the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
@PhillyInquirer Proud to be partners with the @Phillies for 30 years to Strike Out ALS! ##ALSPhillies30 pic.twitter.com/oFo2yBCuqC
— ALS Philadelphia (@ALSphiladelphia) November 14, 2014
Phillies president and CEO David Montgomery was in attendance and spoke publicly for one of the first times since leaving the team to undergo treatment for cancer of the jaw. In an interview with CSNPhilly.com, Montgomery gives an update on his health.
"I'm doing fine. Actually, come the middle of next week it will be six months since my surgery. The good news is I'm a little thinner, that's really good news. Ya know, I feel fit and ready to go.
Despite Montgomery's health issues, he didn't hide his thoughts about the current state of the team and what lies ahead.
"Obviously, the club has some work to do. Ya know, Ruben and everyone were at the GM meetings, that's not a meeting I ever attend, that's Ruben's world. I'm sure he has some irons in the fire. He's a recently married man, goes on his honeymoon next week, so it'll probably be early December when we sit down. We may do things between now and then, but that's when I'll have a chance to spend some time with Ruben."
When asked how it felt to be less involved in the day-to-day work of the team, Montgomery said he feels ready to get back to how things were.
"It's different, but I understand the reality is that I describe my condition as being overloved. Everyone wants to help me get well, I appreciate that, I understand that. I think I'm ready to get back in the fray and we'll see.
CSN: Woah, get back in the fray? Will that be soon?
"We'll see, I sure hope so"
Before Montgomery wrapped up his interview, he touched on how important keeping in touch with the community is for the Phillies and mentioned how integral some players are to that success.
"This time of year, there are so many wonderful non-profit events in the city. I've been out and about and I'll tell you, yeah, we had a tough year but I think the enthusiasm is high. We have one of our best citizens here in Cody Asche. I often marvel about the similarities between the way Chase Utley plays the game and the way Cody Asche approaches the game and that gives me hope for the future because if we could clone Ut for a number of people, that would be the best of all worlds."
Montgomery took a brief amount of time off in May, when he had surgery to remove the cancer from his jawbone. Even after the surgery, he remained a presence for the Phillies. In late August, Montgomery took an indefinite leave of absence to undergo treatment for his condition. Pat Gillick has been filling in for Montgomery on an interim basis.
As for the event today, it seemed to be a rousing success. The Phillies and the AALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter put together a great event for a disease that gained national attention this year thanks to the Ice Bucket challenge. Festivities continue tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park for the annual Greater Philadelphia Walk to Defeat ALS. Along with Montgomery, Michael Barkann, Curt Schilling and Cody Asche, another Phillies icon was on hand to keep spirits high this afternoon.
##ALSPhillies30 @Phillies Some of our favorite people! @cody_smasche and the Kirk family pic.twitter.com/eaAn6D6eTN
— ALS Philadelphia (@ALSphiladelphia) November 14, 2014
#ALSPhillies30 the @Phillies Phanatic loves spending time with people with ALS pic.twitter.com/jXDkHwVKG9
— ALS Philadelphia (@ALSphiladelphia) November 14, 2014
[CSNPhilly.com – Montgomery: 'I'm ready to get back in the fray']
Make a donation to the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
