Very sad news tonight, with ESPN announcing that longtime reporter Pedro Gomez died unexpectedly.
Gomez has been on ESPN since 2003. He was 58 years old.
From the launch of ESPN:
“Pedro was much more than a media personality. He was a father, loving husband, loyal friend, trainer and mentor, ”said the Gomez family in a statement. “He was our everything and the greatest believer of his children. He died unexpectedly at home this afternoon. “
“We are shocked and sad to learn that our friend and colleague Pedro Gomez passed away,” said ESPN and Sports Content President James Pitaro. “Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional achievements are universally recognized. Most importantly, Pedro was a kind and dear friend to all of us. Our hearts are with the family of Pedro and all who love him in this extraordinarily difficult time. “
Pedro arrived on ESPN from the Arizona Republic, where he served as a sports columnist and national baseball writer since 1997.
Gomez was a terrific baseball reporter and won praise (and sympathy) for following Barry Bonds’ anxieties closely throughout his various PED-related issues in his daughters, and was one of the only members of the media that the notoriously prickly Bonds seemed open to. to talk. Prior to ESPN, he had a long newspaper career covering the game as well:
He was deeply connected with the Major League Baseball, having served as a copywriter for the Oakland Athletics at the Sacramento Bee from 1995-97 and at the San Jose Mercury News from 1990-1994. Among the A’s coverage, Gomez served as a national baseball writer for the 1994-95 Miami Herald. Prior to that, he wrote for the San Diego Union and the Miami News from 1988-90 and 1985-88, respectively.
Gomez was married and had children. This is a tremendous loss. Some of his colleagues made it clear how much Gomez will miss him:
This is indescribably sad and terrible. Pedro Gomez’s kindness, care for others and love for his family – he was a proud father of a baseball player – was contagious. Will he be sorely missed? https://t.co/2w6fIr3oQS
– Yates Field (@FieldYates) February 8, 2021
He was the best of us. This is so overwhelming. Whoever knew Pedro loved him. https://t.co/CZURZq6PPo
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 8, 2021
A devastating loss for many of us. Pedro was the consummate teammate and a great person who would do anything for anyone. I am thinking of your wife and your three children. https://t.co/guPTIk44ub
– Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 8, 2021
This really sucks. RIP, Pedro.
[ESPN]