Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passing of longtime baseball executive Kevin Towers, the former general manager of the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks, who was 56:
"Kevin Towers devoted his life to baseball. After playing in the minors and coaching, Kevin spent nearly 20 years as a general manager who was known for great talent evaluation. Kevin built four National League West Championship teams in San Diego, including the 1998 team that went to the World Series. He also won the NL West Championship as General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In addition to the successful teams he led, Kevin is remembered for being one of the most well-liked individuals in our game whose love of life and baseball will be missed.
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin's wife Kelley, their entire family and his countless friends throughout our game."