I did not know Ken Shepard well, but we met and talked several times about his goals as general manager of the Bluefish. Over the course of the past few months I had email exchanges with him about the ballclub. I did not know he was ill and he never wrote a word about it until it was announced by the Bluefish a few weeks ago. Locally, as baseball promoters go, he was something of a Bill Veeck and Charlie Finley, both of whom turned baseball into event destinations to draw crowds. In fact, he reenacted some of those promotions. And Shepard had a little of P.T. Barnum too. News release from the Bluefish:
Ken Shepard, GM of the Bridgeport Bluefish, passed away Friday afternoon at his home in Pennsylvania surrounded by family. The 49-year-old had been battling kidney cancer.
“Ken fought a valiant fight and handled himself with incredible courage, dignity and grace,” says Bluefish principal owner Frank Boulton. “All of our thoughts and prayers are with Ken’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
Shepard is survived by his wife, Tonya, daughter, Taylor, 16, and son Travis, 7.
Shepard had worked in professional baseball for over 20 years. He was GM of several teams, including clubs in Geneva, New York, Prince William, Virginia, Savannah, Georgia, Wilmington, Delaware and the Atlantic City Surf. A self-professed “innovative risk taker that loves change,” Shepard once slept in a press box in Geneva and vowed to stay there until the team broke its losing streak. The gimmick became national news and helped increase attendance 36% over the previous season. Two of Shepard’s operations won the prestigious Larry MacPhail Promotional Award, given to a club each season that demonstrates best promotional efforts in minor league baseball.
The Bluefish will be honoring Shepard with “Ken Shepard Day” on Sunday, September 14. That day, the Bluefish will be managed by All-Time MLB Hit King Pete Rose, while wearing commemorative “Ken Shepard” jerseys that will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Shepard family. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs will be making an announcement prior to the game regarding plans to honor Shepard going forward.
I didn’t know Mr. Shepard but I would like to offer my condolences to his family. He passed at a very young age and I especially feel badly for his young children.
I too did not know Ken Shepard and I also would like to offer my condolences to his family. For such a young man he gave most of his life to baseball, something a lot of do but not the way and not with the success Mr. Shepard had. Bridgeport and the Bluefish both benefited from Mr. Shepard’s baseball knowledge and involvement.
Well said, Maria and Ron. God bless Mr. Shepard and his family.
Sept 14th–not Aug 14, as above–heading to the tribute fundraiser game.
Nice catch, Pete. It is corrected.