Greg Montalbano

Gregory Joseph Montalbano

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.

• School Northeastern University

• Born August 24, 1977 in Worcester, MA USA
• Died August 21, 2009 in Westborough, MA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Greg Montalbano reached AA in a career plagued by illness and injury.

Montalbano was a college freshman in 1996 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He recovered from that bout with cancer to continue his career. In 1999, as a redshirt junior, he went 8-2 with a 2.09 ERA, a WHIP barely over 1 and over a strikeout per inning for Northeastern University. He led the America East Conference in ERA and was named the Conference Pitcher of the Year.

The Boston Red Sox took Montalbano in the 5th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Buzz Bowers. He debuted as a pro in 2000 with the GCL Red Sox (0-2, 3.75) and Lowell Spinners (0-1, 1.74). In 2001, the Worcester native excelled with the Sarasota Red Sox (9-3, 2.96, .200 opponent average) and moved up to the AA Trenton Thunder (3-3, 4.50). Had he qualified, he would have been second in the Florida State League in ERA. His 12 wins led all Red Sox farmhands.

Montalbano lost 2002 due to shoulder surgery. In 2003, he was 2-1 with a 9.39 ERA and 2.48 WHIP for the Portland Sea Dogs and made 3 rehab appearances with the GCL Red Sox (3.09 ERA). He was active with the Sea Dogs' Strikeout Cancer in Kids program. Teammate Kevin Youkilis recalled him as a "lot of fun", someone he could always go to for a laugh.

Greg battled more injuries in 2004, going 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA for Portland and 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA for the GCL Red Sox.

His career in Organized Baseball over, Montalbano signed with his hometown Worcester Tornadoes and went 2-2 with 28 K in 23 innings and a 3.13 ERA in 15 games in 2005. In 2006, he was 5-3 with a team-best 1.80 ERA but his cancer returned, ending his career.

Montalbano continued his off-the-field job as an engineer while battling cancer. He went through several surgeries and chemotherapies and said he had "frequent flyer miles" at the hospital.

The cancer claimed Montalbano's life in 2009, 3 days before he would have turned 32 years old.

Sources

• 2000-2007 Baseball Almanacs
• "Former Sea Dog loses cancer battle" by Kevin Thomas in the August 23, 2009 Maine Sunday Telegram