Jeff Montgomery is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals for the majority of his career. He was born on January 7, 1962, in Wellston, Ohio, and attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
Montgomery was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round of the 1983 MLB draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he signed with the Royals as a free agent in 1983 and made his MLB debut on September 2, 1987.
Montgomery quickly established himself as a reliable relief pitcher for the Royals. He was primarily used as a setup man in his early years but eventually became the team's closer. He was known for his pinpoint control and ability to induce ground balls.
In 1993, Montgomery had his best season as a professional. He recorded 45 saves, which led the American League and set a new Royals franchise record. He was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career and finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.
Montgomery continued to be a dominant closer for the Royals throughout the 1990s. He recorded at least 30 saves in six consecutive seasons from 1992 to 1997. He was also named to the All-Star team two more times in 1996 and 1998.
In 1999, Montgomery was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the middle of the season. He struggled with the Reds, posting a 6.08 ERA in 26 appearances. He retired at the end of the season with a career record of 46-52, 304 saves, and a 3.20 ERA.
After retiring from baseball, Montgomery worked as a color commentator for Royals games on Fox Sports Kansas City. He also served as a special assistant to the general manager for the Royals from 2006 to 2011.
Montgomery's career was marked by his consistency and durability. He appeared in at least 50 games in 11 of his 13 seasons and recorded at least 20 saves in nine seasons. He ranks 18th on the all-time saves list and is widely regarded as one of the best relief pitchers in Royals history.
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