MLB Broadcasting Executive Susanne Hilgefort, Husband Die In Plane Crash

SUSANNE HILGEFORT, the Sr. Dir./Broadcasting Business Affairs for MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, died SATURDAY (7/16) along with her husband MICHAEL MYDLARZ in the crash of a small plane near ALBANY, NY, according to MLB.COM.  She was 48.  The PIPER PA-28 plane crashed shortly after taking off from a private airstrip, HOGAN AIRPORT, in ESPERANCE, NY, killing three and injuring one.

HILGEFORT, who previously worked for CHRISTIAN DIOR and pro wrestling's WWE/TITAN SPORTS, joined MLB in 1994 as Mgr./Production and Programming for THE BASEBALL NETWORK, the joint television venture between ABC, NBC, and MLB, and moved over to the Commissioner's Office as Senior Manager of Broadcasting when THE BASEBALL NETWORK shuttered after the 1995 season.  She became Sr. Dir./Affiliate Sales and Marketing for MLB NETWORK in late 2008 in preparation for its 2009 launch, and then assumed the Senior Director of Broadcasting Business Affairs position in 2010.

"SUSANNE was a warm and caring person who lived life to the fullest," said Commissioner ROB MANFRED. "She was an avid world traveler who loved spending time outdoors. When indoors at 245 Park, SUSANNE always brought joy to those around her with her enormous smile, energy and positive outlook day in and day out. She made a lasting contribution to our game and will be sorely missed."

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