Colorado Rockies unveil memorial to late team president McGregor

Rockies unveil memorial to late president

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies placed a permanent memorial to team president Keli McGregor on the outfield wall at Coors Field in a pregame ceremony Tuesday night.

The placard with the initials KSM is was put on the wall next to the auxiliary scoreboard in right field. It was unveiled in a brief ceremony before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers

“It goes way beyond special, and tough is appropriate word to use,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “Revisiting somebody who went well beyond being liked here, he was loved here. The early part of this evening is not easy but it definitely has to be done.”

The 48-year-old McGregor died April 20 while on a business trip in Salt Lake City. His family has said he died from a rare virus that attacked his heart.

McGregor was president of the Rockies for eight of his 17 years with the organization.

“Our family is honored to have this permanent tribute to Keli at Coors Field,” the McGregors said in a statement. “This organization and this very special ballpark were such an important part of Keli’s life, and we find comfort in knowing that he will always be remembered and honored.”

McGregor’s family stood at home plate during the ceremony. Colorado players Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Ryan Spilborghs and Aaron Cook presented each of McGregor’s four children with a No. 88 Rockies jersey — McGregor’s number as a football player at Colorado State — signed by the 2010 team.

Tracy said the memorial will keep McGregor’s memory alive.

“It’s important. The opportunity to look out there and see those initials, it’s something that needs to be there as a reminder so he’s never forgotten,” Tracy said. “I don’t think he would be anyway. There’s a constant reminder out there so that if the conversation ever comes up they can revisit how special a guy this guy was in this organization for 17 years.”