The baseball community is mourning the loss of Kevin O’Malley, a respected sports executive, former part-owner of the San Diego Padres, and longtime advocate for minor league baseball, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 50. His death marks the loss of a dedicated leader whose passion for the game and commitment to its growth left a lasting impact on professional baseball.
According to his family, Kevin O’Malley died from complications of sepsis while receiving hospice care in Santa Barbara, California. His father, former Los Angeles Dodgers president Peter O’Malley, confirmed that Kevin’s health had steadily declined after he became seriously ill while traveling on business in New York last fall. Following his illness, he returned to Los Angeles for treatment, where he continued receiving medical care in the months leading up to his passing.
Kevin was born into one of baseball’s most influential families. He was the son of Peter O’Malley and the grandson of the late Walter O’Malley, the legendary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers who is widely credited with helping bring Major League Baseball to the West Coast. Walter O’Malley’s contributions to the sport earned him election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an executive, while Peter O’Malley served as president of the Dodgers from 1970 until 1998.
Although he inherited a deep connection to baseball, Kevin established his own legacy through years of dedication to the sport. During the late 1990s, he worked within the Dodgers organization at both Great Falls, Montana, and the club’s historic Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach, Florida, gaining valuable experience in player development and baseball operations.
Kevin later became a driving force in minor league baseball as the co-founder and owner of Top of the Third Inc., the organization that owned and operated the Stockton Mudville Nine and the Visalia Rawhide in Central California. Through his leadership, he helped strengthen the connection between professional baseball and local communities, supporting player development while creating memorable experiences for generations of fans.
In addition to his work in the minor leagues, Kevin served for many years as a part-owner of the San Diego Padres, further contributing to the growth and success of baseball in California. His colleagues admired his thoughtful leadership, deep understanding of the game, and unwavering commitment to preserving baseball’s traditions while supporting its future.
Friends and associates remember Kevin as a humble, approachable, and passionate individual who genuinely loved the sport and the people involved in it. Whether working with players, front-office executives, community leaders, or fans, he was known for his professionalism, generosity, and dedication to strengthening the game at every level.
Following news of his passing, tributes have poured in from across the baseball world. Former colleagues, team officials, and friends have reflected on Kevin’s leadership, integrity, and lasting influence on professional baseball. Many have also recognized the important role he played in continuing the O’Malley family’s remarkable legacy within the sport.
While his passing leaves a tremendous loss for his family and the baseball community, Kevin O’Malley’s contributions will continue to be remembered through the organizations he helped build, the communities he served, and the countless individuals whose lives he influenced throughout his career.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been publicly announced by the O’Malley family. Loved ones are expected to share additional details in the coming days.
Kevin O’Malley will be remembered as a devoted son, respected baseball executive, visionary leader, and passionate steward of America’s pastime. His dedication to baseball, his commitment to community, and his enduring love for the game ensure that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. May he rest in peace.