Longtime ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez died unexpectedly on Sunday at his home, the network announced. He was 58 years old.
“Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional achievements are universally recognized,” said President James Pitaro in a statement. “Most importantly, Pedro was a kind and dear friend to all of us.”
During his 35-year career, Gomez was best known for his coverage of Major League Baseball, covering more than 25 World Series and more than 20 All-Star Games, the network said in a press release on Sunday.
Miami’s Gomez was the son of Cuban immigrants and studied journalism at the University of Miami, the network said. Prior to joining ESPN in 2003, Gomez worked as a sports columnist and national baseball writer in the Arizona Republic for about six years.
He has had previous stints with Miami News, San Diego Union, San Jose Mercury News, Miami Herald and Sacramento Bee.
He leaves his wife, Sandra, two children, Rio and Dante, and their daughter, Sierra, according to the network.
“Pedro was much more than a media personality,” said his family in a statement. “He was a father, loving husband, loyal friend, trainer and mentor. He was our everything and the greatest believer of his children ”.
Fellow journalists and sports teams expressed their sadness on social media after his unexpected death.
ESPN radio host and reporter Jorge Sedano wrote on Twitter that Gomez was a “pioneering journalist” who “opened the door to Latinos on sports TV”.
“Pedro Gomez was one of the nicest and warmest people I’ve ever met during my time on ESPN,” former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill tweeted. “This is just brutal.”
“Our hearts are with the Gomez family, including Pedro Gomez’s son Rio, a pitcher in our minor league system,” the Boston Red Sox added.
“More than an elite journalist, Pedro Gomez was a good and decent man, very proud of his family and heritage,” wrote former ESPN anchor Bob Ley in Twitter. “His loss is a hammer blow to everyone who knew this vital force.”
