Years from now, Bryce Harper’s bronze plaque will adorn the Phillies’ Wall of Fame, joining the plaques of legends like Mike Schmidt, Richie Ashburn, and Robin Roberts, as well as future inductees such as Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard.
“I’ve always believed in continuously improving on what you’re doing,” Middleton said on Friday. “When we were designing the 2022 NL championship rings, we included the players, coaches, and front office staff. We decided to extend this honor to the Wall of Famers as well.
The team held a special pregame ceremony featuring several franchise legends and made a notable change to Citizens Bank Park by naming the left-center field wall “Monty’s Angle,” with a new sign above the 409-foot marker to honor Montgomery’s influence on the park’s design, which was intended to increase the chance of inside-the-park home runs.
Montgomery’s recognition is long overdue. In 1981, Montgomery and Bill Giles purchased the team for $30 million. Under his leadership, the Phillies transformed into a premier franchise. He secured long-term contracts for key players and oversaw the opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
Montgomery’s later years were marred by health struggles, including a diagnosis of jaw bone cancer in 2014.
