ESPN longtime reporter Pedro Gomez passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, the network announced. He was 58.
“Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional achievements are widely recognized,” chairman James Pitaro said in a statement. “More importantly, Pedro was a friendly, dear friend to all of us.”
During his 35-year career, Gomez was best known for his coverage of Major League Baseball, which covers more than 25 World Series and more than 20 All-Star Games, the network said in a news release on Sunday.
Gomez, from Miami, was the son of Cuban immigrants and is studying journalism at the University of Miami, the network said. Before joining ESPN in 2003, Gomez worked with the Arizona Republic as a sports columnist and national baseball writer for about six years.
He has previously had figures with the Miami News, the San Diego Union, the San Jose Mercury News, the Miami Herald and the Sacramento Bee.
According to his network, he is survived by Sandra, two sons, Rio and Dante, and his daughter, Sierra.
“Pedro was much more than a media personality,” his family said in a statement. “He was a father, loving husband, loyal friend, coach and mentor. He was our all and his children’s greatest believer. ”
Fellow journalists and sports teams expressed their grief on social media after his unexpected death.
ESPN radio host and reporter Jorge Sedano wrote further Twitter that Gomez was a “pioneering journalist” who “opened the door for Latinos in sports television.”
“Pedro Gomez was one of the nicest and warmest people I ever met during my time at ESPN,” said former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill. tweeted. “It’s just cruel.”
“Our hearts go out to 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, so proud of his family and his legacy,” former ESPN anchor Bob Ley wrote. Twitter. “His loss is a blow to all who have known this life force.”
