Detroit Tigers coach AJ Hinch spoke to Pedro Gomez just three days before the longtime ESPN reporter passed away unexpectedly at 58.
Hinch issued a statement on Monday in honor of Gomez, whom he called “a part of our baseball family”.
Gomez joined ESPN as a Phoenix-based reporter in 2003, after being a sports columnist and national baseball writer for The Arizona Republic since 1997.
He also worked for Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, The Miami Herald, San Diego Union and The Miami News. He was a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and a voter in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gomez spent part of his childhood in Detroit, and grew up as a Tigers fan listening to Ernie Harwell.
No cause of death was provided.
Hinch’s statement released by the Tigers is below.
“A unique part of our baseball family was lost with the passing of Pedro Gomez. It hit me hard yesterday, as it did with so many who crossed paths with Pedey. Be it a professional conversation about the game or, more likely, a personal exchange about our families, I always felt that Pedro was on my side. I will miss our conversations, your outlook on life and your unwavering belief in connection. I am forever grateful that he called me on Thursday to tell stories of Tigers baseball, the art of management and his happiness at my new start. RIP, brother. “
Associated Press information was used in this report.