Ex-Red Sox star Mike Greenwell dead at 62 after cancer battle

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Mike Greenwell, a two-time All-Star with the Boston Red Sox who played 12 years in the majors, has died after a battle with thyroid cancer, officials in Florida said Thursday.

He was 62.

Lee County officials announced Greenwell’s death in a Facebook post. He had served as county commissioner since 2022.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ex-Red Sox star Mike Greenwell dead at 62 after cancer battle

Boston Red Sox left fielder Mike Greenwell at bat against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park April 16, 1991. (RVR Photos/USA Today Network)

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident. He was a strong advocate for the people and businesses of Lee County and will be remembered for seeking meaningful solutions to the challenges his community faced,” the post read.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who were touched by his leadership.”

The Red Sox selected Greenwell in the third round of the 1982 draft straight out of high school. He made his debut during the 1985 season and never played for any other team.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Red Sox Hall of Famer Mike Greenwell,” the Red Sox wrote on X. “’The Gator’ spent his entire career in a Red Sox uniform and was a beloved fixture of Fenway and Fort Myers. He gave so much to Lee County and Sox Nation.

Ex-Red Sox star Mike Greenwell dead at 62 after cancer battle

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell cheers from atop a police horse while riding around Fenway Park in Boston Sept. 20, 1995, after the Red Sox clinched the American League East championship. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

ALEX RODRIGUEZ CALLS YANKEES’ ROSTER CONSTRUCTION ‘ONE OF THE WORST’ HE’S EVER SEEN AFTER PLAYOFF ELIMINATION

We send our love to the Greenwell family.”

Greenwell was a part of the 1986 team that won the American League pennant and lost to the New York Mets in seven games.

He earned his first All-Star selection in 1988 and his second in 1989.

In 1988, Greenwell hit 22 home runs, had a career-high 119 RBIs and batted .325. He was the runner-up in the American League MVP voting, finishing behind Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco that season.

He hit .308 in 1989 with 14 home runs and 95 RBIs.

Greenwell, an outfielder, played 1,269 games in his career. He had 130 home runs and 726 RBIs.

Ex-Red Sox star Mike Greenwell dead at 62 after cancer battle

Former Boston Red Sox player Mike Greenwell sets to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a Red Sox-New York Mets spring training game in Fort Myers, Fla., March 11, 2008.  (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Mike was an unbelievable teammate and an unbelievable friend,” Greenwell’s former teammate, Ellis Burks, told MLB.com. “He and I were friends from Day 1. That’s a tremendous loss, not only to his family, but for me as well. It’s tough when you have a friend dealing with an illness for a while like that. My condolences go out to his family.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Related Posts

A QUIET SHIFT IN CHICAGO: The White Sox’s Strong Start In Spring Training Might Not Count In The Standings, But It’s Already Changing The Tone Inside The Clubhouse — And That Early Momentum Could Be The Spark This Franchise Has Been Searching For

Chicago White Sox Finding Value in a Fast Spring Start After Three Brutal Seasons 4 GLENDALE, Ariz. — On paper, a 4-2 record in late February means…

BOSTON HIT WITH ANOTHER STUNNER: Alex Bregman Just Delivered Yet Another Brutal Blow To Red Sox Fans, Reigniting Old Wounds And Proving That No Matter The Uniform, He Still Knows Exactly How To Break Hearts At The Worst Possible Moment

Alex Bregman Twists the Knife With Instagram Post as Boston Red Sox Enter New Era 4 BOSTON — One year ago, the conversation surrounding the Boston Red…

BRONX IMMORTALITY AWAITS: The New York Yankees Are Set To Retire Hall Of Famer CC Sabathia’s Iconic No. 52 This September, Cementing His Legacy In Monument Park And Reminding Fans Of The Dominant Ace Who Carried The Franchise Through October Pressure And Delivered When It Mattered Most

New York Yankees to Retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52, Cementing Hall of Fame Legacy 4 BRONX — The New York Yankees, a franchise synonymous with history and…

🚨 Boston Red Sox Legend Wins $30 Million Divorce Court Battle After Wife Attempted to Seize Majority of Assets

аnother bаѕebаll іcon hаѕ ѕecured а decіѕіve vіctory — not under the lіghtѕ аt Fenwаy раrk, but іnѕіde а courtroom. Thіѕ tіme, the rulіng centered on fаіrneѕѕ,…

COUNSELL BREAKS HIS SILENCE IN CHICAGO: Craig Counsell Finally Addresses The Cubs’ Michael Conforto Signing, And His First Public Words Hint At A Bigger Vision For This Roster Than Fans Initially Realized

Chicago Cubs Manager Craig Counsell Explains the Logic Behind the Michael Conforto Signing 4 MESA — When the Chicago Cubs quietly announced a minor league agreement with…

MILWAUKEE JUST MOVED THE SPOTLIGHT: The Brewers vs White Sox Clash At American Family Field Suddenly Has A Jaw Dropping New Start Time — And That Unexpected Shift Could Completely Flip The Atmosphere From A Casual Game Night To A High Energy Showcase Under Very Different Lights

🚨GAME CHANGER: Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago White Sox at American Family Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time! Time Is Counting Down, and the 2026…