David P. Montgomery, Chairman of the Philadelphia Phillies, has devoted 48 years of his life to the Phillies and the City of Philadelphia 
 
PHILADELPHIA - City officials and Philadelphia Phillies former players were joined by youth baseball and softball teams, community members, and family and friends to celebrate the lifelong accomplishments of Phillies Chairman, David P. Montgomery. Daisy Field in Roxborough, where Montgomery played baseball in his youth, was renamed "David P. Montgomery Field," in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the City of Philadelphia.
 
"David Montgomery is undoubtedly an icon in the Philadelphia sports world and in the local community," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "I am sure that by reading about his accomplishments on the signage at this field, generations of Philadelphians will be inspired by him and his passion for our city."
 
The newly-named David P. Montgomery Field was also recently renovated.   Upgrades to the site include: new asphalt paving around the dugout and backstop; staircases; new player benches; an aerated, seeded, and fertilized infield; new concrete seat walls; and an improved drainage system. 
 
"I would like to thank Mayor Kenney, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. and all who were involved in making this special honor happen," said Montgomery. "Roxborough means a great deal to me. In May 1957, as a 10-year-old boy, Daisy Field was my 'Field of Dreams.' I got to play Junior League Baseball there and, coincidentally, it was also the same year that Daisy Field opened. I was able to participate in, and benefit from, numerous youth sports opportunities during my childhood. My hope remains that young people today, not just in Roxborough but throughout our great City, will have that same opportunity as I did. Again, I am very thankful for this incredible honor. It means so much to me."
Joining the Phillies in 1971 at an entry level, Montgomery went on to become one of the most successful and respected executives in Philadelphia sports history. He served as president of the club during one of the greatest eras in franchise history, including construction of a world class ballpark that opened in 2004 and its second World Series championship in 2008. Aside from his success as an executive, his philanthropic spirit is a fine example of the importance of giving back to the community. His efforts in this regard also influenced players, including Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino, to make very significant charitable contributions to Philadelphia neighborhoods.
 
"Mr. Montgomery is a champion for our City who has played a key role in bringing accessible sports-based activities to Philadelphia's youth," said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. "We are so honored to have dedicated and renamed his childhood baseball field after him in recognition of his numerous philanthropic contributions to the city."
 
Montgomery was also one of the driving forces behind the creation of a Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy is a strategic relationship between the Philadelphia Phillies, Major League Baseball and City of Philadelphia that enhances the quality of baseball and softball throughout Philadelphia while directly addressing other Philadelphia Parks & Recreation youth development objectives. It has created a dynamic youth program that utilizes baseball and softball to develop the athletic and social potential of participants. The Philadelphia Urban Youth Academy includes outdoor and indoor baseball and softball facilities which were opened in 2015 and 2016. The facilities provide free, year-round baseball and softball training opportunities for over 8,000 players in the Phillies Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program.
 
In addition to his work with the Phillies, Montgomery's involvement in sports extends to his current role as chairman of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.  
 
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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of her people through intentional and sustained stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city's residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.