Former big leaguer and member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame Mike Greenwell died at the age of 62, according to multiple sources. In August it was announced that he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer Emma Healy of The Boston Globe.
Greenwell was born in Kentucky, but grew up in Florida. In the latter state he did some alligator wrestling, which eventually led to his nickname Gator. He was drafted by the Red Sox in 1982 and spent his entire career with that franchise, save for a late trip to Japan. He was called up to the major leagues for a brief coffee in 1985 and was awarded another Cup the following season.
Although he played only 31 regular season games in 1986, he was part of Boston’s playoff run. The Sox defeated the Angels in the ALCS, sending them to the World Series against the Mets, although they ultimately lost in seven games. Greenwell got six postseason plate appearances that year, going one for five with a single, a walk and two strikeouts.
He finally got a better debut in 1987, when he played in 125 games at both outfield corners. He hit 19 home runs and hit .328/.386/.570. He finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting, trailing by one Mark McGwire, Kevin Seitzer And Matt Nokes.
He was even better in 1988. He established himself as the club’s everyday left fielder, hitting .325/.416/.531 while hitting 22 home runs and stealing 16 bases. He made his first All-Star team. He finished second in the AL Most Valuable Player voting, trailing only one Jose Cansecowho had just developed the first ever 40/40 season. The Sox won the AL East that year, but Canseco and the Athletics swept them out of the ALCS. Greenwell would later express his frustration with the MVP voting when it was revealed that Canseco used steroids during his playing career.
That year was essentially Greenwell’s peak, but he remained a solid player for the Sox for many years afterward. When healthy, he was usually good for 10-15 home runs, almost as many steals, and a batting average of almost .300.
Injuries reduced his performance and playing time throughout the 1990s. He signed with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball for the 1997 season, but reinjured himself after just seven games and retired for good.
He played in 1,269 regular season games for the Red Sox and stepped up to the plate 5,166 times. He had 1,400 hits, including 275 doubles, 38 triples and 130 home runs. He scored 657 runs and batted in 726. He stole 80 bases. His career batting line was .303/.368/.463. He made two All-Star teams and won a Silver Slugger award.
In his post-playing days he did some minor league coaching, some stock car racing, ran a construction company and an amusement park, and also served as a county commissioner in Florida. We at MLB Trade Rumors join the rest of the baseball world in extending our condolences to all of Greenwell’s family, friends, loved ones and fans.
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