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Remembering Greg Montalbano 08.22.09 at 9:57 pm ET
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There’s no better way Kevin Youkilis could have paid tribute to his former minor league teammate and friend Greg Montalbano, who lost his battle with cancer on Saturday at the age of 31.

Youkilis played with the 1999 fifth round pick of the Red Sox as the two played in the organization in the early part of this decade.

On Saturday, Youkilis — who had written the initials GM on his cap — matched a career high by driving in six runs and homering twice in a 14-1 rout of the Yankees at Fenway. And he was thinking of the left-handed pitcher immediately following his first homer in the second inning off A.J. Burnett.

“When I pointed to the sky to him when I went to the dugout, that was for him,” Youkilis said. “That’s one of those things. There are some crazy things that have happened in my life where you always feel there’s somebody out there pushing balls out and doing great things for you.”

Before the game, the Red Sox held a moment of silence for Montalbano. Meanwhile, 1,500 miles south of Fenway, another of Montalbano’s former teammates, Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena, had a similar moment and that wasn’t lost on Youkilis after Saturday’s game.

“Carlos Pena hit a home run and he had a sign, ‘That was for you, Monty.’ It’s an unbelievable feeling, two guys that played with him and we both hit home runs today,” Youkilis said of Pena, who played with Montalbano at Northeastern University, and went 3-for-4 with two homers and a walkoff single for the Rays on Saturday. “It was a great thing. After I hit my first one, I just thought that was for him.

“It’s a good feeling to know that, for the Montalbano family going through some hard times right now, there’s a lot of guys that are there for them.”

Of course, there was also the matter of business on Saturday and that meant dealing with a Yankee team that beat them in a 20-11 slugfest the night before.

“I think on both teams, New York and here, you’re going to have the same thing. Good teams let things go quickly and they move on and play the next day. When you play 162 games in the regular season, you’re just trying to go onto the next day and trying to get everything situated and playing the game. And you don’t worry about what happened the night before and if you do, you find yourself going downhill quick.”

NOTE: Greg Montalbano was a guest with Dennis & Callahan during the 2008 Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. CLICK HERE to listen to that entire interview.

Read More: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, Yankees Greg Montalbano, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • justine

    Greg and I grew up together (my sister with his sister Kristin)….Westborough, MA! Can’t forget trick or treating on Warren Street and what a wonderful and sweet guy. I miss him terribly!

    Thinking of all his family during this time!

    Justine
    and Janna Spinazola

  • Pat Keefe

    I knew Greg from Northeastern. What a great kid. I was always blown away by his ability to laugh, smile and joke in the face of all the adversity he was facing. I don’t know how he did it. I’ll always remember him as that confident kid laughing and smiling with all the guys in the dining hall at Northeastern and doing the same playing wiffle ball on the make shift field outside of Spear Hall. We miss you Monty.

    Pat Keefe

  • Kregg Jarvais

    I played against Greg in college and again in the minor leagues. I was sad to hear the news of his passing. Really good guy on and off the field.

  • Ashley Tenczar Curran

    I know the Montalbano Family, grew up with them, and believe me when I say it is NO SUPRISE for this family to have nurtured and fostered such a dynamic young man, the little “Boy Scout” I knew from my youth. His sister Kristen excelled in Field Hockey, and almost everything she touched. A remarkable family, and a remarkable young man who will be missed by an extraordinary amount of people.

  • David Monte

    I grew up with Greg. I consider myself luckyto have known him for many years before he left for colege and pro ball. He will be missed.

  • Mike Daniels

    Greg was my neighbor and one of my closest friends. I remember every single moment we spent hanging out playing hoops and just talking. He left such an impression on my family (including my 5 and 3 year old), I still can’t believe he’s gone. It was a sad day yesterday and I’ll never forget for as long as i live.

  • Craig Najarian

    I feel so fortunate to have known him. Selfless, humble, talented and hard as nails both mentally and physically. The way he handled himself was just amazing and inspiring. Such a wonderful family. I’ll think of you every day Monty.

  • kyle

    R.I.P Greg its your little cousin kyle Montalbano :(

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