SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Former Padres general manager Kevin Towers, who is credited for putting together contending ballclubs in San Diego including the 1998 National League championship team, has died at the age of 56.
Multiple national baseball writers reported the passing of Towers on Twitter.
Towers was the Padres' general manger from 1995-2009. Under his watch, the Padres won National League West Division titles in 1996, 1998, 2005 and 2006. The 1998 team made it to the World Series, but fell to the New York Yankees.
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He served as the Arizona Diamondbacks' general manager from 2010-2014.
Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler and General Partner Peter Seidler issued the following statement on Towers' death:
"We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Kevin Towers, who passed away early this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. Kevin spent nearly thirty years in the Padres organization as a player, scout, and front office executive. He led our Club with strength, conviction and unwavering determination, and was beloved by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his wonderful wife, Kelley."
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Word of Towers' death spread throughout social media:
The Padres have been around since 1969. They’ve made the playoffs 5 times. 4 of those were with Kevin Towers as GM. Yeah. #RIPKT
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) January 30, 2018
My heart is aching big time. We lost a great man today, and if you knew Kevin Towers, yours is as well. KT undoubtedly was one of the best men in all of baseball. If you knew him, you loved him. He treated everyone the same. He had a huge heart. You’ll be sorely missed. RIP KT
— Mark Grant (@Mudcat55) January 30, 2018
RIP, Kevin Towers. One of my all-time favorite people, gone much too soon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2018
We remember former big league GM and #HOF friend Kevin Towers, who passed away on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/sGfJKFFuwr
— Baseball Hall ⚾ (@baseballhall) January 30, 2018
Heavy Heart with the news of the passing of Kevin Towers. The Baseball Family has lost an incredible man that gave his heart to its pastime. Condolences to Kelly and KT’s family and friends. RIP 🙏🏻. #padres #mlb #KT pic.twitter.com/EtmP98jC7t
— Mark P Sweeney (@Sweendog9) January 30, 2018
Kevin Towers was such a great person. So beloved in the baseball community. Terrible to hear about his passing.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 30, 2018
Kevin Towers, one of the greatest people this game has ever known, and the ultimate fighter, has passed away from cancer. Unbelievable. He will be greatly missed. Loved that man
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2018
Kevin Towers kept his fight with cancer private until #Astros manager AJ Hinch revealed it during the World Series.
Towers was one of most respected men in baseball. People around Towers idolized him, loved working for him and considered him family. Tough day for baseball. pic.twitter.com/r4QdAKATh1
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) January 30, 2018
Kevin Towers was superstitious with a great sense of humor about it. Never watched Hoffman save a game. Always headed to elevator and clubhouse when Hoffman entered. Had this habit of running right hand down his face when nervous. Smart, funny, loyal -- Kevin Towers was a giant.
— Bill Center (@PadresCentral) January 30, 2018
Sports Illustrated reported Towers was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer in December 2016.
Towers was a native of Medford, Oregon, who played college baseball at Brigham Young University in Utah. He was drafted by the Padres as a pitcher in the first round of the 1982 draft but never made it to the Majors.
