Rockies President Keli McGregor Found Dead, Police Blame 'Natural Causes'

In the wake of the sad news of Rockies President Keli McGregor dying of natural causes Tuesday morning, many members of the Rockies reacted to the sudden news:

"I guess shock is the word that describes it," said first baseman Todd Helton, the Rockies' longest tenured player. "A great man, I've known him 15 years and he's the last person, you'd think, that you'd be getting that call about. He kept himself in great shape, worked hard, a very compassionate man who loved this team and loved his family even more."

[...]

"I'm stunned. I can't believe what has happened," [manager Jim] Tracy said softly while sitting in the Rockies' dugout at Nationals Park. "I don't understand. I've told so many people in that clubhouse, I want to understand this, but I don't. I don't know what to say."

[...]

"It's hard-hitting because Keli put the organization first -- always," said hitting coach Don Baylor, who managed the Rockies for the first six seasons of their existence. "When he came in as a young guy, when the ownership brought him in, he was a football guy -- didn't understand what a 6-4-3 [double play] was or what ERA was. It was a big learning experience for him, but what a rising star that this guy would have been in the game."

There was a moment of silence before Tuesday night's Rockies-Nationals game in memory of McGregor.

For more reaction, visit our Rockies blog, Purple Row.