For the past 20 years, the Phillies have presented the Richie Ashburn Special Achievement Award to a member of the organization who demonstrates the same loyalty, dedication and passion for Phillies baseball as the award's namesake. 
Phillies President Andy MacPhail announced today that the award will be renamed the Richie Ashburn & David Montgomery Special Achievement Award.
Montgomery, who currently serves as chairman, has embodied the spirit of the award over his 48-year accomplished Phillies career. Perhaps his greatest legacy has been his demonstration of class, benevolence, integrity and philanthropy. 
"During their combined 95 years with the Phillies, Richie and David are undoubtedly the two most significant figures in club history who have exhibited loyalty, dedication and passion for the game," said the team's Executive Vice President, Dave Buck. "Because of these commonalities, Richie and David became very good friends. I have no doubt that Richie is smiling down, knowing that the award now bears his special friend's name as well."
"As a family, we've been fortunate to know David for all of his 48 years with the Phillies. Every time you see David, you're always greeted with a smile," said son of Richie Ashburn, John Ashburn. "There are some commonalties that David and our father shared - the love of the game, love of the people they work with, love of the organization and love of the greatest fans in the country. On behalf of our father, it's a great honor to have David Montgomery's name forever attached to this award."
The inaugural recipient of the newly-named award is Director of Minor League Operations, Lee McDaniel, a 23-year Phillies employee. McDaniel, who will be honored on Sunday, September 30, during pre-game festivities, was left speechless when he learned that he would be the first employee to receive the award now named after a man for whom he has a profound level of respect. 
"Lee attributes how he conducts business to what he has learned from David over the years which explains, in part, why he is so deserving of this award," said MacPhail. "Aside from his level of professionalism, Lee's love of the game and his career accomplishments in player development, his instrumental role in establishing the academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, and his tireless work during the Florida Instructional League and spring training are just a few highlights of why Lee is such a worthy recipient."