Phillies rename section of Citizens Bank Park wall after late president David Montgomery
The Philadelphia Phillies named a section of the outfield wall at Citizens Bank Park after a significant figure in franchise history and the leader in bringing the stadium to life in 2004.
The angled wall in left-center field will be named “Monty’s Angle” in honor of the late David Montgomery, the club announced during the former Phillies president and CEO’s posthumous induction into the team’s Wall of Fame on Saturday. A sign indicating the new name has been placed on the wall above the 409-foot sign.
A Philadelphia native and University of Pennsylvania alumnus, Mongtomery began his work with the Phillies in the sales and business departments in 1971 and later purchased the team along with Bill Giles in 1981. He first served as the executive vice president before taking over as club president for Giles in 1997.
The Phillies achieved their most successful stretch in franchise history under Montgomery’s watch as they won five straight National League East championships from 2007 to 2011, back-to-back NL pennants in 2008 and 2009 and the 2008 World Series championship.
Montgomery took a leave of absence in 2014 as he dealt with jaw bone cancer and assumed the title of chairman in 2015. He passed away at the age of 72 on May 8, 2019.
After previously being named the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by Major League Baseball in 2020, the Phillies made Montgomery their 2024 Wall of Fame inductee to honor his contributions to the club and the city of Philadelphia.
The ceremony took place at the ballpark that Montgomery helped make a reality. Citizens Bank Park’s retro-classic design was largely inspired by Montgomery’s affinity for the old-school feel and unique dimensions of Connie Mack Stadium in the 1950s and 1960s.
The angled wall has provided a number of memorable and exciting plays in its 20 years of existence, including multiple inside-the-park home runs from stars like Chase Utley, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto. Now, the distinctive feature of the playing field will commemorate the executive who brought it to fruition.
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