The baseball community has lost a true legend: Mike Greenwell, beloved former major leaguer and Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee, passed away at the age of 62. This heartbreaking news follows the revelation earlier this year in August, when it was disclosed that Greenwell had been battling medullary thyroid cancer, as reported by Emma Healy of The Boston Globe.
Greenwell’s journey began in Kentucky, but it was in Florida where he grew up and earned the unforgettable nickname "Gator"—not just for his fierce play on the field but also because he actually wrestled alligators. His baseball path took off when the Boston Red Sox drafted him in 1982. Except for a brief stint in Japan near the end of his career, Greenwell dedicated his entire professional playing days to the Red Sox.
He made his MLB debut with a short appearance in 1985, followed by another brief call-up in 1986. Despite appearing in just 31 regular season games that year, he was part of Boston’s playoff roster—a team that defeated the Angels in the ALCS but ultimately lost a dramatic seven-game World Series to the New York Mets. In that postseason, Greenwell contributed modestly with six plate appearances, recording one hit, a walk, and two strikeouts.
It was in 1987 that Greenwell truly arrived, playing in 125 games primarily in the outfield corners. That season, he impressed with 19 home runs and a slash line of .328 batting average, .386 on-base percentage, and .570 slugging percentage—enough to place him fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind notable players like Mark McGwire, Kevin Seitzer, and Matt Nokes.
The very next year, 1988, marked the pinnacle of Greenwell’s career. He cemented his role as Boston’s everyday left fielder and delivered an outstanding performance: a .325 batting average, .416 on-base, and .531 slugging, along with 22 home runs and 16 stolen bases. That season earned him his first All-Star Game selection. Most notably, Greenwell finished second in the American League MVP race, trailing only José Canseco, who achieved the groundbreaking 40/40 season by hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases—a historic feat at the time. The Red Sox clinched the AL East title that year, but Canseco’s Athletics swept Boston in the ALCS. Years later, Greenwell openly expressed frustration about losing the MVP award, especially given revelations about Canseco’s steroid use during his career—raising questions about the integrity of competition and awards.
Though 1988 was his career apex, Mike Greenwell remained a consistent and valuable player for the Red Sox throughout the 1990s. When healthy, he typically hit between 10 to 15 home runs, stole nearly as many bases, and maintained a batting average hovering around .300—solid numbers that made him a reliable presence in the lineup.
Unfortunately, injuries began limiting his playing time and effectiveness as the decade wore on. In 1997, Greenwell took his talents to Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball with the Hanshin Tigers. Sadly, his time there was cut short due to another injury, lasting only seven games before he decided to retire from professional baseball for good.
By the end of his MLB career, Greenwell had appeared in 1,269 regular-season games with the Red Sox, stepping to the plate over 5,000 times. His impressive resume includes 1,400 hits—highlighted by 275 doubles, 38 triples, and 130 home runs—along with 657 runs scored, 726 RBIs, and 80 stolen bases. His overall career slash line was a commendable .303 batting average, .368 on-base percentage, and .463 slugging percentage. He also earned two All-Star nods and secured a Silver Slugger award during his time in the majors.
Off the field, Greenwell's life was just as interesting and varied. After retiring from playing, he ventured into several different pursuits including coaching in the minor leagues, engaging in stock car racing, running a construction company, managing an amusement park, and even serving as a county commissioner in Florida.
Mike Greenwell’s impact on baseball and his community remains profound. His passing has saddened fans, teammates, and the entire sports world alike. MLB Trade Rumors extends heartfelt condolences to all who knew, loved, and admired Greenwell. But here’s where it gets controversial—how do we reconcile the achievements of players like Greenwell with the shadow cast by steroid-era athletes like Canseco, especially when awards and legacies are considered? What do you think? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
