My name is Pete Gilbert and as a reporter for WBAL I knew Monica professionally for many years. Most of which were terribly challenging as she had to do p.r. for a team that kept losing games. Monica handled her job with far more patience and understanding than I could muster.
The relationship between players and media relations directors can often be contentious and frustrating. I've witnessed many angry outbursts from players towards their own p.r. staffs (mostly from other teams, and never with Monica). Even when there's no open hostililty, often times her job was to get players to do things they didn't want to do.
So that's why in October of 2012 I was so impressed with what I saw. In the moments after the Orioles won their first playoff game in 15 years they celebrated of course with champagne baths. When the players saw Monica standing in the corner, seemingly hoping to avoid the craziness, they made a bee line for her. Their joy had to be shared with her as they treated Monica like one of them. The champagne flowed, some tears of joy as well.
This is not how players typically interact with media relations staff. In fact, I've never seen that kind of full acceptance as one of their own. That speaks so highly of what she meant to them, and reinforced what I saw for nearly a decade. Under all circumstances she would be professional, be accountable, and be a friend.
