Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell died Thursday morning at Massachusetts General Hospital after a year-long battle with medullary thyroid cancer. He was 62 years old.
Greenwell’s wife, Tracy, confirmed his death to WINK radio station in Lee County, Florida, stating that her husband passed away at 10:30 a.m. on October 9, 2025. His son Bo announced the news on social media, indicating that his father had endured significant pain and suffering throughout his battle with the rare form of thyroid cancer.
The Red Sox organization expressed their condolences in a statement, noting that “The Gator” spent his entire career in a Red Sox uniform and was beloved both at Fenway Park and in Fort Myers. The team emphasized his contributions to Lee County and the Red Sox Nation.
Greenwell played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career with Boston from 1985 to 1996. The left-handed outfielder compiled impressive statistics, finishing with a .303 batting average, 130 home runs, and 726 RBIs across 1,269 games. He also demonstrated exceptional plate discipline with 460 walks compared to just 364 strikeouts throughout his career.
The Fort Myers native earned All-Star selections in 1988 and 1989, with his 1988 season marking the pinnacle of his career. That year, he batted .325 with 22 home runs, 119 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases while hitting for the cycle in a September game against Baltimore. His performance earned him a Silver Slugger Award and second place in American League MVP voting, finishing behind Oakland Athletics outfielder Jose Canseco.
Greenwell’s 1988 season included a then-American League record 23 game-winning RBIs, though Major League Baseball no longer recognizes this statistic. He also drove in all of Boston’s runs in a late-season 9-6 victory over Seattle. When Canseco later acknowledged using steroids during his MVP season, Greenwell famously questioned where his MVP award was.
The outfielder took over left field at Fenway Park from Jim Rice, inheriting a position previously held by Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Rice. Former Red Sox pitcher Bob Stanley praised Greenwell’s ability to fill those significant shoes, describing him as a great teammate who played hard and never forgot his Fort Myers roots.
Greenwell earned his nickname “The Gator” after a spring training incident in which he captured an alligator, taped its mouth shut, and placed it in teammate Ellis Burks’ locker. Former teammate Marty Barrett, the 1986 American League Championship Series MVP, described Greenwell as fearless at the plate, standing closer than anyone he had ever seen.
After his Major League career ended, Greenwell briefly played seven games for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan before retiring due to a fractured right foot suffered on a foul ball. He then transitioned to auto racing, competing in late-model stock cars beginning in 2000 and making two starts in NASCAR’s Truck Series in 2006 before retiring from racing in 2010.
Greenwell was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008, cementing his legacy with the organization. Former teammate Dwight Evans characterized him as deeply involved in the Fort Myers community and someone who gave much of himself to others.
Beyond baseball, Greenwell served his community as a Lee County Commissioner in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him to the position in 2022, and he won reelection in 2024. Lee County officials praised his advocacy for local people and businesses, remembering him for seeking meaningful solutions to community challenges.
Greenwell revealed his medullary thyroid cancer diagnosis in August 2025 during an interview with Fort Myers television station WBBH. Medullary thyroid cancer represents the rarest form of thyroid cancer and sometimes links to inherited conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
He is survived by his wife Tracy and two sons, Bo and Garrett. Former Red Sox manager Joe Morgan, who managed Greenwell from 1988 to 1991, described him as one of his favorite players who worked hard to become a very good left fielder and brought a happy-go-lucky attitude to the clubhouse.