Mike Greenwell, a former Boston Red Sox left fielder and current Lee County commissioner, died Thursday morning in a Boston hospital from cancer. He was 62.
Greenwell had been living with medullary thyroid cancer, which prevented him from physically attending public meetings. The county announced Greenwell's death on Facebook.
Greenwell died at 10:30 a.m. at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to his wife, Tracy Greer.
"After a long year fighting cancer, my dad has passed away. It has been a long year for him, through a lot of pain and suffering. Now he can finally rest in peace. Thank you to everyone who has been keeping him in your thoughts and prayers," his son, Bo Greenwell, posted on social media Thursday.
In July 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Greenwell to the District 5 seat to replace the late commissioner Frank Mann, who had died in office. Mann died from pancreatic cancer.
Greenwell announced his candidacy for the office in 2024 and won the election. Greenwell was a North Fort Myers High School graduate, played for the Boston Red Sox from 1982 to 1996, and was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.
Boston Red Sox career
In 1982, the Red Sox selected Greenwell out of North Fort Myers High School in the third round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He spent his whole career in the major leagues with Boston. Greenwell was a two-time All-Star and 1988 Silver Slugger Award winner, and he was then inducted into the team's hall of fame in 2008.
SW Florida reactions to Mike Greenwell's death
The county said in the statement:
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident. He was a strong advocate for the people and businesses of Lee County and will be remembered for seeking meaningful solutions to the challenges his community faced.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who were touched by his leadership."
Lee County District 3 Commissioner David Mulicka passed along his condolences by saying, “Heartbreaking loss of a true hometown hero.”
The Lee County Sheriff's Office also shared a statement about Greenwell's death on Facebook.
The sheriff's office said in the statement:
"It is with a heavy heart I share the news of the passing of Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell. Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to work closely with Commissioner Greenwell and deeply admired his professionalism and service to the great residents of this county. For those who knew him, Mike was a loyal family man, a dedicated business man, and local leader who was extremely passionate about the well-being of this county.
Additionally, he will always be remembered for his distinguished professional baseball career with the world famous Boston Red Sox, and know his legacy will live on forever.
Today we honor the life and contributions of Commissioner Greenwell, and are mourning this profound loss alongside his family, friends, and all of those who loved him."
The Town of Fort Myers Beach also shared a statement by saying, "His dedication, compassion, and leadership greatly impacted our community and all of Southwest Florida. Our deepest condolences to his family and the Lee County community."