Thursday, October 09, 2025
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PHOTO: MLB, Red Sox
Mike Greenwell, the beloved Boston Red Sox left fielder and Red Sox Hall of Famer, passed away on October 9, 2025, at the age of 62 after a courageous battle with medullary thyroid cancer. Greenwell’s passing was confirmed by his family and by officials in Lee County, Florida, where he had served as County Commissioner in his later years.
Early Life and Entry into Baseball
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Michael Lewis Greenwell was born on July 18, 1963, in Louisville, Kentucky. At the age of five, his family moved to Fort Myers, Florida, a community that would always remain central in his life. Greenwell starred in both baseball and football at North Fort Myers High School, earning enough acclaim on the baseball diamond to be drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft.
The Red Sox said in a statement:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Red Sox Hall of Famer Mike Greenwell.
“The Gator” spent his entire career in a Red Sox uniform and was a beloved fixture at Fenway Park and in Fort Myers.
He gave so much to this organization, Lee County, and Red Sox Nation.
We send our love to the Greenwell family.
Major League Career
Greenwell made his Major League debut with the Red Sox in 1985, embarking on a twelve-season career that saw him develop into one of the most consistent and dangerous hitters of his era. He became Boston’s regular left fielder in 1987, carrying forward the legacy of franchise legends Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice.
One of his greatest individual seasons came in 1988, when he batted .325, hit 22 home runs, and drove in 119 runs—earning him a runner-up finish in the American League Most Valuable Player voting behind Jose Canseco. He was twice selected as an American League All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1988. In one of the most remarkable single-game performances in MLB history, Greenwell drove in all nine of Boston’s runs in an extra-inning win over Seattle on September 2, 1996, a record for most RBIs by a player accounting for all his team’s runs in a game.
Over his 12-year career—all with Boston—Greenwell posted a .303 batting average, hit 130 home runs, drove in 726 runs, and stole 80 bases. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.
Later Years and Community Service
After retiring as a player, Greenwell spent a brief stint in Japan playing for the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball, before injuries forced a final retirement. He embraced new pursuits, including a stint as a minor league coach and even stock car racing, in which he won the 2000 Speedweeks championship at New Smyrna Speedway.
Greenwell’s love for his Florida home led him into public service. Appointed as a Lee County Commissioner in 2022, he was reelected in 2024, where he became a passionate advocate for the citizens and businesses of his county. His leadership, compassion, and drive were remembered fondly by colleagues and constituents alike, who mourned his passing and honored his unquestioned dedication to community service.
Legacy
Mike Greenwell leaves behind a legacy defined by excellence on the diamond, devotion to family and community, and resilient commitment in all his endeavors. He is survived by his wife and children, extended family, countless friends, and admirers across the baseball and Florida communities he touched so deeply.
Funeral services have not yet been announced. The Red Sox and the broader world of baseball mourn the loss of “The Gator,” a true competitor and champion in every field he entered.
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