Mike Greenwell
Beloved Red Sox Legend Passes Away at Age 62
… Following Battle with Cancer
Published October 9, 2025 4:29 PM PDT
Tragic news for Red Sox fans … longtime outfielder Mike Greenwell passed away on Thursday, as announced by the MLB team, following a brave fight with thyroid cancer.
“We are heartbroken to share the loss of Red Sox Hall of Famer Mike Greenwell,” the team proclaimed on X this afternoon.
“Known as ‘The Gator,’ he dedicated his career to the Red Sox and was a cherished part of Fenway and Fort Myers. He made significant contributions to Lee County and Sox Nation. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Greenwell family.”
Greenwell enjoyed a 12-season career in Major League Baseball, exclusively with the Red Sox, after being chosen in the third round of the 1982 draft. He made his major league debut in 1985.
After a slow start, Greenwell had a breakout year in 1988, earning his first All-Star selection (and another in ’89) and finishing as runner-up in the A.L. MVP voting behind the slugger Jose Canseco , solidifying his position as the team’s left fielder.
In ’88, Greenwell recorded 192 hits, 22 home runs, and 119 RBIs, marking his finest season in the majors.
Mike hung up his cleats in 1996, concluding a remarkable career with 1,400 hits, 275 doubles, 387 triples, 130 home runs, and 726 RBIs. He also had 460 walks and a batting average of .303.
Unfortunately, in August, Greenwell revealed to a local news outlet in Florida, where he resided after retiring from baseball, that he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer, a rare type of cancer.
Rest in peace.
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