Before Pedro Gomez became one of the most prominent baseball reporters in the world, he grew up in Miami with the South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin.
Gomez, 58, passed away suddenly on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, Martin gave a press conference to preview the game. Before talking about basketball, he talked about losing someone with whom he shared many memories of his life.
“Two Cuban children who have known each other since we were children,” said Martin early Monday morning. “In 1983, he and I were new employees at Ocean Bank of Miami. We worked on a small trailer while the building was being built. Since then, our friendship has continued to flourish and become a brotherhood, a true brotherhood. I was a first baseman and he was a shortstop.
“If you understand the community in which we grew up, many people do not take the risk of leaving the box to create a profession, a career. In our culture, you tend to stay close to your family and help around the house and just work and do your best.
“Your father was the bank’s vice president when we were two stupid kids trying to figure out what life was up to. A big punch to the stomach last night. I don’t know what’s going on in the world right now. It is a difficult time to process and understand. It’s the good guys we’re losing. Pedro was a dear friend with an unbelievable spirit. He lived his life for his family. Somewhere we have to have faith, there is a rainbow eventually coming. “
Dude, I got hit by 2 punches in the face yesterday with the news of Lew Hill passing and after my brother @pedrogomezESPN
I’m lost. Lew is as good a human being as we are in our business. While Pedro was a brother. Dude this is hard#TeQuieroMiHermano– Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) February 8, 2021
ESPN recalls SportsCenter reporter Pedro Gomez, who died unexpectedly today at the age of 58.https: //t.co/0Q75PlBEvG pic.twitter.com/4B5r7OG9Ni
– ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 8, 2021
Along with two struggles with COVID-19 himself, Gomez is one of the many friends, colleagues and mentors that Martin lost in the last year, both because of the pandemic and because of natural causes.
“This year was really empty,” said Martin. “The spirit to win, it is difficult to maintain this because everyone, not just us, but everyone is dealing with a constant headache. I lost a lot of people I grew up with last year. I lost a lot of people who were incredibly dear to me, but who are not really my family. “
Given the atmosphere of a pandemic trip and the threat of returning to his team, Martin does not believe he will be able to travel to Arizona for the funeral.
“I don’t think I can fly around the country, but my spirit will definitely be there,” said Martin. “I can promise you that.”
The Gamecocks (5-7, 3-5) will go to court on Tuesday, a presentation of No. 10 Alabama at 6 pm on the SEC Network.