Hilgefort Passes

Susanne Hilgefort, a fixture in the broadcasting are of MLB, died Sunday in a plane crash:

“Susanne played a key role in the significant growth of MLB’s media business over the past 20 years — both at the national and local levels,” said Chris Tully, her supervisor and MLB’s executive vice president of media. “She will be remembered not only as a valued colleague, but also as a great friend who had a remarkable zest for life.”

“For over 20 years, Susanne was a tremendous colleague and dear friend,” said Bernadette McDonald, MLB’s senior vice president of broadcasting. “She brought enthusiasm to every project, a willingness to lend a hand on a moment’s notice and a zest for life that most of us can only dream of. Her warmth and spirit will continue to inspire us going forward.”

Fillippelli heard the news when McDonald called him on Sunday night, and he spoke through tears in discussing her profound professionalism, the way she said “please and thank you,” the way she could “melt the ice off the toughest person” while always being embraced and respected.

My thoughts go out to her family and friends, who also lost Hilgefort’s husband in the crash.

She started with the ill-fated Baseball Network, but saw MLBAM turn streaming broadcasting into a business that will keep the owners rich even if the game disappears. That was quite a career.

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2a4H8Mi