Mike Greenwell Passes Away After Battle with Cancer – MLB Trade Rumors
Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell has passed away after being diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer, as reported by Emma Healy of The Boston Globe. He was 61 years old.
Greenwell, drafted by the Red Sox in 1982, spent the vast majority of his 13-year Major League career in Boston, with a brief stint in Japan to conclude his playing days.Known affectionately as “Gator” – a nickname earned from his youth spent alligator wrestling in Florida, where he was raised after being born in Kentucky - Greenwell became a fan favorite during a memorable era of red Sox baseball.
He debuted with the Red Sox in 1985 and 1986, contributing to the team’s playoff run the latter year, where he recorded one hit in five postseason plate appearances. Greenwell broke out in 1987, hitting .328 with 19 home runs in 125 games and finishing fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Mark McGwire, Kevin Seitzer, and Matt Nokes.
His peak came in 1988, when he slashed .325/.416/.531 with 22 home runs and 16 stolen bases, earning his first All-Star selection.He finished second in American league MVP voting, losing out to josé Canseco, who later admitted to using steroids. Greenwell would later express frustration with the MVP vote in light of Canseco’s admission.
Though injuries hampered him in the 1990s, Greenwell remained a productive player for the Red Sox. He finished his career with 1,400 hits in 1,269 games, posting a lifetime batting line of .303/.368/.463 with 130 home runs and 80 stolen bases. He earned two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger award.
Following his retirement after a short and injury-plagued stint with the Hanshin Tigers in 1997, Greenwell pursued a variety of interests, including minor league coaching, stock car racing, construction, and operating an amusement park. He also served as a county commissioner in Florida.
MLB Trade Rumors extends its deepest condolences to Mike greenwell’s family, friends, and fans.
