“Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional achievements are universally recognized,” said Pitaro. “Most importantly, Pedro was a kind and dear friend to all of us.”
The son of Cuban refugees, Gomez joined ESPN in 2003 from the Arizona Republic, where he was a sports columnist and national baseball writer for about six years, the network said in a press release on Sunday.
Before that, he had also written for Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, Miami Herald, San Diego Union and Miami News.
Best known for his coverage of Major League Baseball, Gomez has covered more than 25 World Series and 22 All-Star Games throughout his career, ESPN said.
He leaves his wife, Sandra, as well as their two children, Rio and Dante, and their daughter, Sierra, according to the network.
“Pedro was much more than a media personality. He was a father, loving husband, loyal friend, coach and mentor,” said Gomez’s family in a statement published by ESPN Front Row. “He was our everything and the greatest believer of his children.”
The family added that Gomez died at home.
After the news of his death, tributes were poured on social networks highlighting not only his professional excellence, but also his gentle spirit and brilliant personality.
“Pedro Gomez was one of the nicest and warmest people I have ever met during my time on ESPN,” wrote journalist Jemele Hill
on twitter. “This is just brutal.”
The Boston Red Sox
tweeted his “hearts are with the Gomez family, including Pedro Gomez’s son Rio, a pitcher in our minor league system”.
“Pedro Gomez was one of the nicest and most genuine people you’ve ever met in our game,” Alex Wood, a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants,
I wrote. “We were all better off getting to know him personally and professionally. My deepest condolences to his family. What a terrible loss for our baseball community.”
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