At Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, a quiet but powerful tribute is taking shape for one of the franchise’s most beloved players. Fans arriving at Fenway South are being greeted by a heartfelt display honoring Mike Greenwell - the two-time All-Star left fielder affectionately known as “Gator” - who passed away in October at age 62 after a battle with thyroid cancer.
It’s a fitting gesture for a player who spent his entire 12-year career in a Red Sox uniform and left a lasting impact both on the field and in the community. The centerpiece of the tribute is a golf cart adorned with signs, including one that reads: “In loving memory of Mike Greenwell.
Please leave a kind message or memory sharing what he meant to you. These messages will be shared with his family on Opening Day.”
Another simply says, “Thank You, MIKE.”
Fans are encouraged to stop by, reflect, and leave a message - whether it's a personal memory, a note of gratitude, or just a few words to honor a player who gave everything he had to the game and the city. It’s the kind of tribute that speaks volumes about Greenwell’s connection to Red Sox Nation.
Greenwell’s story is one of loyalty, grit, and quiet excellence. Drafted by Boston in the third round of the 1982 MLB Draft, he made his big-league debut in 1985 and quickly made his presence felt.
By 1987, he was already turning heads, finishing fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. But it was 1988 when Greenwell truly broke out.
That season, he stepped into the massive shoes of Jim Rice - a future Hall of Famer - and didn’t just fill the role, he thrived in it. Greenwell hit .325 with 22 home runs and 119 RBIs, finishing second in AL MVP voting.
The award went to Jose Canseco, who famously became the first player to post a 40-40 season. But while Canseco’s numbers came with controversy, Greenwell’s production was all about consistency and heart.
Over the course of his career, Greenwell was a model of steady excellence. He hit .303 for his career, a mark that speaks to his ability to grind out quality at-bats and deliver in big moments.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable - the kind of player teammates trusted and fans appreciated. He played his final MLB game in 1996 and was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.
Off the field, Greenwell remained deeply connected to his community. He served as a commissioner in Lee County, Florida - the same county that includes Fort Myers, where the Red Sox hold spring training. Even as he fought cancer, Greenwell stayed active in public service, continuing to give back to the region that had become his home.
Now, as the Red Sox prepare for a new season, they’re taking time to honor one of their own - not just for what he did between the lines, but for the way he carried himself as a teammate, a leader, and a person. The messages left by fans will be shared with Greenwell’s family on Opening Day, a small but meaningful way to say thank you to a player who gave Boston everything he had.
Mike Greenwell may be gone, but his legacy - as a hitter, a Red Sox lifer, and a fan favorite - lives on.