The Philadelphia Phillies are the prime example of a historic franchise in Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, there was a lot of losing baseball in the many years the franchise has been around. There has also been a lot of winning.
In its 141-year history, the Phillies have gone through many ownership changes with few of them getting to reap the ultimate reward of this great sport. Even fewer have gotten to raise the Commissioner's trophy on a cool October night. In 2008, Montgomery joined Robert R. M. Carpenter III as the only owner in Phillies history to win the World Series. Carpenter III won in 1980, and Montgomery won in 2008.
Montgomery sadly passed in 2019 after a five-year battle with cancer at the age of 72. The memories are never forgotten by Phillies fans, players and the the current Phillies ownership. The Phillies rightfully honored their previous President and Owner on Saturday, Aug. 17, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
Phillies fans have the newest Wall of Fame inductee David Montgomery to thank for the team's greatest era
The Phillies annually host their Wall of Fame induction ceremony during the summer. Greats from the team's recent past that helped build the future of the franchise are proudly represented each year at Citizens Bank Park. David Montgomery was the team's proud selection for 2024.
The Phillies have Montgomery to thank for giving the city of Philadelphia the greatest era in the team's history. During the time that Montgomery owned the team, they secured five straight division titles ranging from 2007-2011, including back-to-back NL pennants in 2008 and 2009. Finally, there was the capturing of the World Series title in 2008, the first title since Mike Schmidt's World Series MVP run in 1980.
Montgomery had drafted the necessary talent that filled the roster with some of the most notable names in fans' memory. Their run of five straight division titles was at the peak of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins' career. It was a true time of bliss and connection that the city had with the players. To this day, you'll see Citizens Bank Park rows lined with jerseys sporting the names of the late 2000s players.
A lot had to go right for Montgomery and the Phillies, and that's a credit to him and the team he built around him (subscription required), per Jayson Stark of The Athletic. The team ran the National League, which is a feeling that the 2024 Phillies are looking to duplicate.
There is always a lot of scrutiny for managing a baseball franchise, but you can never overlook what Montgomery accomplished in his time with the city of Philadelphia. May he rest in peace how he was for the Phillies, a winner.