Longtime MLB Executive Katy Feeney Dies

Katy Feeney, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of club relations and scheduling until her retirement after the 2016 season, has died. She was 68.

Feeney, the daughter of longtime baseball executive and former National League president Charles “Chub” Feeney, died of natural causes, according to the San Francisco Giants, for whom Chub served as general manager.

According to The Associated Press, Feeney died Saturday while visiting relatives in Maine.

“All of us at Major League Baseball are shocked and saddened by the news of Katy’s passing,” the league said in a statement. “She was one of the game’s most dedicated executives. Overseeing the schedule, Katy long held one of the most challenging positions in the sport. . . . For decades, Katy carried on her family’s great baseball tradition and became a mentor to many young officials.

“In particular, she was one of the leading pioneers to the female executives of our game. Her friends and colleagues will never forget Katy’s unwavering commitment to baseball and her many contributions to the National Pastime.”

Chub Feeney was the grandson of Charles Stoneham, owner of the New York Giants, and nephew of Horace Stoneham, who owned the team from 1936-76.

“The passing of Katy Feeney brings great sadness to our organization,” Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “Katy was one of the most experienced voices in the game and was a longtime friend that left an imprint not only on the Giants organization, but all of baseball.”

Feeney was hired by the National League in 1977 and rose to oversee scheduling and public relations. When the NL and AL merged with the commissioner’s office in 2000, Feeney oversaw entire MLB schedule.