Mike Greenwell, the longtime Boston Red Sox outfielder, has passed away after being diagnosed with a form of thyroid cancer, Lee County, Florida, officials announced Thursday.
Greenwell, 62, had been serving as Lee County commissioner since July 2022 after being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident,” read a statement on the Lee County Facebook page. “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.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who were touched by his leadership.”
In August, Greenwell told WBBH in Fort Myers he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer, causing him to be unable to attend public meetings in order to protect his immune system.
Greenwell, a 1982 third-round draft pick by the Red Sox, spent all 12 seasons of his MLB career in Boston. He made two All-Star teams and was a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1988 — the same season he finished as runner-up to Jose Canseco for AL MVP after hitting 22 home runs and driving in 119 runs while batting .325.
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In 1,269 games with the Red Sox, Greenwell hit 130 home runs, recorded 726 RBI and had a career batting average of .303. Among his notable game highlights, Greenwell hit for the cycle in 1988 and drove in nine runs during a Red Sox win in 1996.
Greenwell’s on-field accomplishments earned him induction into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.
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