Former Red Sox slugger Mike Greenwell dead at 62 from thyroid cancer

Mike Greenwell, 62, spent his entire 12-year MLB career as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He was a two-time All-Star and finished as American League MVP runner-up in 1988.

On Thursday, October 9, the former pro, nicknamed ‘The Gator’ passed away from a battle with thyroid cancer.

His death was announced on the Lee County Government Facebook page around 2 p.m. local time. Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident, had served as the District 5 commissioner in the county since being appointed to the position by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.

The post wrote, ‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident.’ It continued, ‘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 Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of Mike Greenwell,’ the team stated in a release Thursday. ‘A member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2008, he spent his entire 12-year Major League playing career with the Red Sox (1985-96).’

The team also provided quotes from several former teammates.

“Greenwell was one of my favorites,’ Hall of Famer Joe Morgan stated, ‘He didn’t start out great, but he worked hard and became a very good left fielder. He was fun to be around, happy-go-lucky. We’ll all miss him greatly.”

“Mike was a wonderful ballplayer who always played hard,’ Dwight Evans, who played with Greenwell from 1985-1991, said. ‘He was deeply involved in the Fort Myers community and gave so much of himself to others. You always wanted to be around him — I truly enjoyed my time with him. He was a gamer in every sense of the word, and he will be deeply missed.”

Mike Greenwell MLB stats

Greenwell was a strong hitter throughout his MLB career, slashing .303/.368/.463 for his career. He also tallied 130 career home runs and 726 RBI.

Greenwell’s post-MLB life

Greenwell had a very short stint in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, but was forced into retirement after just seven games due to a fractured foot.

When he returned to the United States, he picked up stock car racing at New Smyrna Speedway, even winning the 2000 Speedweeks track championship. He ultimately gave up racing in 2010.

Greenwell was appointed as Lee County’s District 5 commissioner by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, following the death of then-commissioner Franklin Mann. Greenwell won his re-election campaign in 2024.