Cincinnati Reds executive Kevin Towers remembered in Arizona

The former Cincinnati Reds executive was remembered by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a fitting tribute.

The Cincinnati Reds assistant to the general manager, Kevin Towers, passed away on January 30.  He passed away after a long battle with thyroid cancer at age 56.  This is the first spring training without the man known simply as “KT” in baseball circles.

To honor KT, baseball came together at Salt River Fields on March 14.  The Arizona Diamondbacks organized the event.  KT held the role of GM there from 2010-2014.   It was designed for those who were unable to attend the public remembrance last month.  That was at San Diego’s Petco Park.

One notable person was at both events.  It was Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein.  He worked with KT in San Diego.  Then his time with the Boston Red Sox gained him notoriety.  Epstein saw a man with hundreds of best friends.

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The event focused on a panel discussion on KT’s impact, individuality, and influence.  The panel included Epstein, former Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams, Diamondbacks first baseman Paul GoldSchmidt, former Reds GM Walt Jocketty and Diamondbacks special assistant Craig Shipley.  Radio personality Greg Schulte hosted the panel.  He holds the primary play-by-play announcer duties for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The day was a celebration of the Cincinnati Reds executive’s time working throughout baseball.

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The Diamondbacks are taking two major steps to always remember KT.  They are renaming his old suite at Chase Field to Kevin’s Tower.  They also are creating a the Kevin Towers Pro Scouting  Award for their best pro scout.

Goldschmidt, though, remembered how Towers connected with people on a personal basis.  Rather than staying in his “Tower” KT would come to the players.  KT would infuse the whole team with confidence.  He accomplished this by supporting players on a one on one basis.  That extended to pushing himself when opportunities presented themselves.

The best story shared was when the Diamondbacks lost an exhibition game in 2011.  It was against the Australian national team.  The hosting team gave KT a jersey with his name on it.  He then proceeded to go to a local bar and celebrate the win with people.  They had no idea he was from the other side.

The Reds organization was lucky. KT was part of their family.  Even if it was towards the end of a life too short.  However, the remembrances and stories this off-season have shown how beloved and cherished KT was.

Next: Reds have another bad off-season

This is across the competitive game of baseball.  It is also always good to remember people. However, it is more important to remember those that approach life the right way.