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And Shepard did this while battling cancer, until his death in September at the age of 49.
Shepard’s impact on the Bluefish was recognized recently when he was named Executive of the Year by the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In addition, the league announced that is instituting the Ken Shepard Award, which will honor promotional excellence in the league. The entire staff of the Bridgeport Bluefish was named the inaugural winners of the award.
“Ken was a promotional genius and was respected throughout baseball for his innovative tactics,” said Rick White, Atlantic League president. “He is missed by all who knew him, and the League will continue to honor and remember him by presenting the Ken Shepard Award at the end of each season.”
Shepard was general manager of the Bluefish from 2012 until his death. The North Syracuse, N.Y., native was involved in professional baseball for more than 20 years, including time spent with teams in Geneva, N.Y.; Prince William, Va.; Savannah, Ga.; and Wilmington, Del.; as well as the Atlantic City Surf, one of six Atlantic League charter member teams.
In 1988, Shepard spent 12 consecutive nights in the Geneva Cub’s press box until the club snapped its 18-game losing streak. The feat made national news and helped increase the Class A club’s attendance 36 percent over the previous season. It earned Shepard the first of two Larry MacPhail Promotional Awards, given each season in Minor League Baseball to the club that demonstrates top promotional efforts.
Shepard accomplished all this in Bridgeport even while living with his family in Pennsylvania. He took up residence at the downtown Holiday Inn while he conducted his duties as general manager.
When asked whether Bridgeport had reciprocated the passion he had given to his adopted home Shepard said, “Every minute. Every day."
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