Phillies rebuff Montgomery report
Phillies team president David Montgomery remains on medical leave after battling cancer in May, the team announced, rebutting a report that Montgomery had been "pushed out" by ownership.
David Montgomery remains on medical leave after battling cancer early in the 2014 season, the Phillies announced on Friday morning, rebutting a report that the team president and CEO had been "pushed out" by ownership.
Montgomery is expected to resume his role atop the organization when his health enables him to do so.
This isn't news - it's the same thing the team said when Montgomery, who had surgery for cancer in May, had to take a leave of absence five weeks ago. But the Phillies felt the need to reiterate Montgomery's status following a news report Thursday that the team president had been "pushed out."
Howard Eskin of Fox-29 ended his station's 6 p.m. newscast by reporting that the medical leave had been a "convenient story" for the ownership to deal with Montgomery. Eskin reported that Montgomery had instead been "pushed out" of his role as general partner, president and CEO.
The Phillies responded on Friday morning, with a 71-word press release"
"Contrary to the Fox 29 report last night, David Montgomery's leave of absence from the Phillies is entirely due to his medical condition, as previously announced. There is absolutely no other reason for his leave from active involvement in the Phillies management.
Over the life of the Phillies partnership no one entity or family has owned a majority of the partnership, and we do not foresee this changing in the future."
In addition to reporting that Montgomery was out, Eskin went on to report that John Middleton, the most visible and aggressive of the Phillies ultra-private ownership ground, was attempting to buy out some of the other limited partners within the ownership group in an attempt to gain majority control of the franchise.
Montgomery, 68, has been on a medical leave of absence since August 28. He underwent surgery in May to have cancer removed from his right jaw bone.
Former Phillies general manager Pat Gillick has been the team's acting president in Montgomery's absence. Montgomery first joined the Phillies in 1971 and succeeded Bill Giles as general partner, president and chief executive officer of the team in 1997.
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