Colorado Rockies Team President Keli McGregor found dead in Utah
by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 11:26 AM MDT
in Miscellaneous
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PrintKeli McGregor, 17 year member of the Colorado Rockies organization was found dead in his hotel room in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 48.
SLC Detectives are reporting that nothing seemed suspicious. The Salt Lake City Medical Examiner's office will determine a cause of death. Initial investigation suggests natural causes. SLCPD Detective Rick Wall said two of McGregor's associates couldn't get in touch with him and that someone entered his room at The Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City and found McGregor unconscious. Wall said it was unclear who discovered him.
According to the team, McGregor was in Salt Lake on a Rockies-related business trip with CEO Charlie Monfort and executive vice president Greg Feasel.
Keli was a very important part of the Rockies organization during his tenure, and was most assuredly part of where the team is today.
Keli played football for CSU, was drafted by the Broncos, and also played with Indianapolis and Seattle.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McGregor family.
More details as made available.
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Wow....
That’s just shocking.
My thoughts and prayers to the McGregor family and to the entire Rockies organization.
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
There's a little more information in the local Salt Lake Press
It appears to be Natural causes…
thank you
I’ll update the post
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Obviously unexpected
I liked what he was doing for the team. I will miss him. Prayers to his family.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
As an original Rockie
the team should get a patch with his name on it for the rest of the season.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
yeah, that'd be a good gesture by the organization
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions
Hopefully they do something like this to honor him
48 is way too young to pass away.
I would guess there will be a "KG" on the sleeve possibly for the remainder of the season.
Either that or a black mourning band.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
by pedalpusher on Apr 20, 2010 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions
possibly as early as tonight.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
by pedalpusher on Apr 20, 2010 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh my gosh.
Not what I expected to see when I refreshed Purple Row this morning. This is awful.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Rockies organization.
Ack. Seeing that picture now, I'm remembering seeing him on the field for the various celebrations.
This is really quite upsetting to me.
Shocking.
All best to his family during this tough time.
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by Russ Oates on Apr 20, 2010 11:35 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
This is tragic news
He was a great guy from everything I could tell….truly awful. RIP K Mac
"CarGo had to make some repairs to it. They called it a kitchen accident, but he was performing surgery. On teh lazor."
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Saw Keli sitting with his family watching spring training in Tucson not even a month ago. Tragic and unfair. Would be shocked to not see some sort of memorial gesture, possibly something temporary tonight and more permanent for the rest of the season moving forward.
"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around the whole time." - Jim Bouton
I imagine Friday's game will have a moment of silence
In fact, I bet the entire weekend series will.
Man, this sucks.
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions
This is awful and sad
And I also want express my wishes for peace and good to his family from here out as well. A truly upsetting loss for the organization and its fans.
I think we are.
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 12:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes, we could make a side bar memorial
If others don’t think it’s tacky or trivializes the tragedy of the situation, it would probably be good to have for the remainder of the year at least.
I like the idea
I don’t think anything like that would be tacky at all
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
This is awful...
I know that a good chunk of the Rockies’ brass is here in SLC for a few days. Charlie Monfort was interviewed on a local sports radio show yesterday. If I hear anything further, I’ll be sure to update the post.
Best wishes to his family, friends, and the entire Rockies organization.
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by Bryan Kilpatrick on Apr 20, 2010 11:39 AM MDT reply actions
Word is they are here meeting with local radio stations regarding a contract to air the team's games.
Utah is the only state in the union that isn’t part of an MLB team’s radio network.
Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.
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by Bryan Kilpatrick on Apr 20, 2010 11:43 AM MDT up reply actions
That's
some good news for sure
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
Monfort's interview can be found here...
http://kall700sports.com/audio/bill—spence
This is really bothering me. It’s really, really sad.
Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.
Bear Naked - My thoughts on sports, music, and life.
by Bryan Kilpatrick on Apr 20, 2010 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions
The first thing I saw was "Colorado Rockies" and "dead"
and my heart turned upside down. :(
I said it above, but thoughts and prayers. RIP Keli McGregor. We very much appreciated what you did for our favorite team.
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
Thoughts and Prayers to the McGregor family
what a sad day for the Rockies :(
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Co-president of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Thoughts and prayers yes...
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"Why are they outlawin' the spit pitch? The curveball is a cheap 'n easy pitch; the spitter aint" Ty Cobb
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"Why are they outlawin' the spit pitch? The curveball is a cheap 'n easy pitch; the spitter aint" Ty Cobb
"When I was pitching 90's in the seventies; I never thought I'd be pitching 70's in the nineties!" Frank Tanana
This is incredibly sad news
My wife called to let me know. Wow, what a loss…by all accounts, Keli was widely loved and respected as a human being, far far beyond any contribution to the Rockies.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
Wow, I can't believe it
Prayers to his family to give them comfort in this tragic time.
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Apr 20, 2010 11:43 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Baseball seems a little more meaningless...
Sad day for the Rockies…prayers for his family and the organization. The Rockies lost a good man today.
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Just saw this headline go by when I happened to refresh MLB.com
Wow… an awful loss for the organization… and for it to be only 3 days after one of the franchise’s biggest milestones…
Terrible news… thoughts for the entire organization…
well, I'm sincerely glad he got to see it.
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
for sure
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
absolutely true
He will just have a different view of our world series victory this fall
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 20, 2010 12:10 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Perhaps the Rockies might see it fit to honor McGregor permanently, similarly to how Darryl Kile is memorialized at Coors Field. Maybe they could retire McGregor’s number from his days as a Bronco. There’s precedent for such a thing – the Florida Marlins retired a number for their team president who passed away before the team’s first game.
"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around the whole time." - Jim Bouton
That's not a bad idea
Not likely anyone would wear a number up there, except Beimel and he wears 97 because that was the year his daughter was born.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
his son, I think
but yeah, one of his kids
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
by Silverblood on Apr 20, 2010 12:15 PM MDT up reply actions
I second that idea
And perhaps they could borrow Todd’s quote, along the lines of “He was a Rockie.”
Play ball!
RIP
crazy
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Denver Post article
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
One prominent player kept asking for it to be repeated, unable to wrap his arms around the idea because of McGregor’s impeccable fitness level.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
wow
In December, the senior engineer and co founder of the company I worked for had a heart attack. He was 48 and in impeccable physical condition as well. Luckily, we didn’t lose him, because it would have been debilitating to a six employee business.
There are some things in life that no one can explain
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 20, 2010 12:54 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I will be thinking of his family Sunday
when I visit Coors with mine. Sad and scary.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~ Al Gallagher
RIP Keli McGregor
Prayers go out to his friends and family, as well as the whole Rockies organization. Very sad day.
Coach Karl is strong and will get through this.
Kenyon Martin is swaggerific.
Carlos Gonzalez is amazing.
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is."
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by AtkinsandTulofan on Apr 20, 2010 12:22 PM MDT reply actions
Condolences go out to the McGregor family
And his extended Rockies family. Simply tragic.
My condolences to the Rockies team and fans
This is terrible.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 20, 2010 12:34 PM MDT reply actions
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Rockies organization.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Condolences...
… to his family, the Rockies family, and Rockies fans, from this Cubs fan.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This is devastating news
I can hardly compose myself. What a blow to his family, his friends, and the organization. Many prayers for all that are affected. Sad sad sad.
Play ball!
I know that this may not be much
but I’m sure he was ecstatic about being able to witness the first Rockies no-hitter.
Rest in Peace, and thanks for your devotion and labor for something you were able to share with millions of people.
May your summer be filled with Rockies wins and tacos.
I... I can't think of any words right now.
What a hollow feeling. Life can deal the most cruel blows.
Go and hug your best friend, tell your family that you love them.
My thoughts are with his family. I also agree that some sort of gesture here at PR is quite appropriate.
Co-President of the Ubaldo Lovers Club
My family is getting extra hugs tonight
Even the overcast sky seems to be contributing to the sad news today. I just heard a news clip on KOA when I was driving back from lunch. They will have some special coverage starting at 3:00 today, and I’m sure the pre-game coverage at 4:30 will also cover this.
I had a meeting that I forgot about and just tuned in to KOA.
If anyone was listening, I’d love to hear about anything interesting.
I just caught a few things
Everyone said he was a very patient person, a great family man(three daughters, one 12yr.son) Alw ays was very fair in negotiations etc. Was in Salt Lake to promote the Rockies, and new pr for week-end excursions to Rockies baseball from salt lake.Parents are still alive.Very instrumental in Phoenix ST facility.
Poor guy
Far too young to go. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
A free man counts tomorrow and yesterday and both of them are his; hunger and there's no master to feed you, but walk long steps and no master says go slowly.
My thoughts and prayers to his family
And I love the idea of us doing a memorial to a guy who has been there since the beginning for our beloved Rockies.
User name pronounced Air-Ah-Miss Originally from my days in the SCA, became a gamer and forum tag because it is odd and it is a name I like
This is just awful.
My heart goes out to his family-how terrible to lose him so young.
I can’t thank him enough for everything he did for this team and organization.
...
?
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 2:46 PM MDT up reply actions
They were playing a playoff series in 1999 and ended up delaying the start of their series
and move the first two games to San Jose.
That is really wierd
interesting perspective
ah, weird.
thanks for filling me in
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 2:52 PM MDT up reply actions
wow what a shame, all of baseball will be thinking about the Rockies
except for the Yankees cause they’re a$$holes
Lets go Bobcats. 2010 Playoffs!
Thanks for your sympathies
but this isn’t the time for shots at the Yankees.
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
no, it's not
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 20, 2010 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Almost any time but not now
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 20, 2010 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh God.
I am completely and utterly speechless.
My heart goes out to his family, friends, and everyone in the Rockies organization.
I'm not making a banana bread pastrami cottage cheese sandwich. That would severely ruin my reputation.
I just got goosebumps.
I have iTunes on shuffle, as usual, and it just started playing A Pirate Looks at Forty, which was my uncle’s favorite song. It was played at his funeral after he died at the age of 48. Yikes.
I'm not making a banana bread pastrami cottage cheese sandwich. That would severely ruin my reputation.
A few statements have been released
Charlie Monfort:
“Words cannot describe the level of shock and disbelief that we all are feeling this morning at the loss of Keli. Our thoughts, our prayers are with Lori and the entire family as we all try to cope and understand how such a tragic loss could occur with such a wonderful man.”
Bug Selig:
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am very saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of Keli McGregor. As President of the Colorado Rockies, Keli was one of our game’s rising young stars. He was a great athlete and equally great as a baseball administrator. Also, he was a great human being. All of baseball will miss him. I offer my condolences and deepest sympathies to his family, friends and the Rockies ball club.”
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
Renck also has some thoughts from Tulo
"You look at how he lived his life and you want to model that. His presence when he walked into a room, him being as big as he was that took you back. But when he talked, he commanded the room. You could tell it was coming from his heart. He had passion and took everything to heart and not too many people do that with their job."
Renck on a memorial patch and the game tonight:
The Rockies are expected to honor him with some type of patch on his uniform. Being here at the ballpark, it’s just doesn’t feel like they should even play. The Rockies’ clubhouse is opening an hour later than normal, at 2:45 Denver time. There will likely be a team meeting at some point.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
For some reason this is hitting me harder as the day goes on
Man.
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
this could make tonight's game very difficult
It could also be an inspiration. oy
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 20, 2010 2:16 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Watching the Nationals broadcast tonight, it will be interesting to see what they’ll have to say about it as an opposing team.
The team will be hanging an 88 Jersey for McGregor in their dugout today. Plus the patches.
by Greg Stanwood on Apr 20, 2010 2:20 PM MDT up reply actions
Sounds like a good way to honor him.
This tragedy is going to hang over the entire season but I hope the organization and players take a cue from the Angels last year and how they handled the death of Nick Adenhart. Everyone should take the time to mourn this loss but then the team has to play baseball and compete. Keli McGregor spent 17 years building a great organization that will somehow have to keep moving forward while keeping him close in mind.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
Yeah
The best way to honor the team he helped put together would be for it to go out and do what it’s supposed to.
Co-Captain of the Greg Lovers Club (along with Muzia)
Future Mother of Greg Silver-Muzia, the Switch-Pitching, Switch-Hitting Cello Player Coming to a Ballpark Near You in 2031
I just realized the way that was phrased it sounded like the Nationals will be doing that.
I meant the Rockies in the second bit.
by Greg Stanwood on Apr 20, 2010 2:30 PM MDT up reply actions
Renck talked to Jim Tracy
“I am tore up. He was a special person. We talked (as a team) about it and we said a little prayer for him. And the prayer is as much for him as it is his wife and four children. We are very professional people. And we aren’t the only organization in the past few years that has experienced a tragedy. Knowing the good people we have here, and what Keli represented, we are going to pass this test I promise you that.”
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
Thoughts and prayers
Hug your people just a little closer today in honor of one of probably hundreds of good people who pass every day, with or without fanfare…
Tough to laugh and smile today…But work must be done
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
Far too young
My thoughts and prayers go out to Keli, his family and the entire organization. Man that’s got to be tough.
"Don't give up, don't ever give up" - Jim Valvano
That is awful
My condolences to his family, the Rockies organization, and all their fans.
"I'm always insistent, Wodehouse. But I'm not to be trusted, am I?"
Awful. 48 is way too young.
never take one day for granted.
Ubaldomania.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 20, 2010 3:36 PM MDT reply actions
Terrible and unexpected news.
One of my professors played with Keli at CSU in the 80s and was a close friend. He was taking it pretty hard and I don’t blame it. He sure sounded like a swell guy.
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Just found out that my roommate is friends with his daughter (she's a sophmore at CSU)...
tough for me to even imagine that pain.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
Nice statement from Diamondbacks president & CEO:
“This sport lost a true friend and gentleman today. Keli has quickly become one of my closest friends over the last few years. In recent months, our collaborative work and vision on creating our new spring home has made that bond even tighter. I am deeply saddened that he will not see the project upon its completion, but even more distraught over the tragic thought that this beautiful family will be without its loving husband and father. We will miss him dearly.”
I just heard the news
I’m shocked and saddened as the rest of you are. When I hear about an unexpected death, or see someone close to me lose a bout with a disease, as seems to be happening a lot lately, it’s like a punch to the psyche. It’s demoralizing to think about the fragility of life, the only possession we have that truly matters, and how it can be taken without any warning or regard to fairness or justice. I never knew much about McGregor personally, but I knew who he was and that he was an important leader in the organization. He sounded like a great man, and I can tell that he’ll be missed.
I just saw Jim Tracy talk about McGregor on the pre-game show; it was touching and clearly showed the impact that he’s had on people around the team. I definitely support all of the ideas listed above to pay tribute. It’s a sad day for the Rockies family and even more so for the McGregor family.
shocked @ the news
I woke up today & my mom told me that she saw on the news that he had died. Very sad, I really enjoyed getting a letter from him welcoming us Event Services members to a new season of Rockies Baseball or thanking us for a great season. I’ve only got to see him in person twice down when he, Charlie & Dick Monfort welcomed us back after we signed in to work during the past Opening day games.
Never got the chance to talk to him. =’(
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Wow
This is beyond awful. I only knew a little about McGregor but everything I heard was great. This is a tragic loss.
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 20, 2010 5:46 PM MDT reply actions
My condolences
To hear this while traveling really puts a damper on what you’re doing.
The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.
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