Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Rockies president dies

[UPDATE AT 6:34 P.M. -- Read the complete story, with reaction from players and Rockies manager Jim Tracy, at CSNwashington.com.]

Keli McGregor, president of the Rockies since 2001, was found dead in a Salt Lake City hotel room this morning, a devastating blow to a Colorado ballclub that is in the midst of a four-game series against the Nationals.

McGregor, 48, was in Salt Lake City on team business. When two colleagues tried to contact him this morning and got no answer, police checked his room at the Grand America Hotel and found him dead.

The cause of McGregor's death is not yet known.

"Words cannot describe the level of shock and disbelief that we all are feeling this morning at the loss of Keli," Rockies owner Charlie Monfort, who was also in Salt Lake City, said in a statement. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with [his wife] 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."

Tonight's game at Nationals Park will be played as scheduled at 7:05 p.m. A pregame tribute and moment of silence are expected.

McGregor was an All-American tight end at Colorado State in the 1980s and played in the NFL for the Broncos, Colts and Seahawks. He had worked in the Rockies front office since 1993.

"Keli was one of our game's rising young stars," MLB commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "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."

McGregor is survived by his wife Lori and four children.

7 comments:

MikeHarris said...

Cripes. What a sad story. A clear message, folks. Enjoy EVERY moment because you just never know.

greg said...

well that sucks. :/

Anonymous said...

Don't tell wonkette, she'll make a joke out of it.

Tcostant said...

OMG - 48 years old, I'm 44 now can't think about dieing in four years. It so sad when someone young dies.

Big Oil said...

Sad story for all involved in the Rockies family. Reminiscent of Kalas's passing last year, when the Phillies were in town.

natsfan1a said...

Very sad to die that young. Condolences to the McGregor family and the team.

K.D. said...

So sad, condolences sent to all.

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