The Sports World Remembers Pedro Gomez

Image Courtesy of MLB.com

Image Courtesy of MLB.com

T.J. Hummel, Sports Editor

Long-time ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 7th, 2021. Pedro had a love for baseball that not many people can match nowadays. His parents, who are Cuban immigrants, went to Miami and gave birth to Pedro. As a Miami native, Pedro attended the Miami-Dade Community College, where he had found his love for journalism, and the University of Miami.

Before joining ESPN in 2003, Gomez worked for the Miami News, the San Diego Union, the San Jose Mercury News, Miami Herald, and the Sacramento Bee. When writing for these news outlets, Pedro specialized in baseball. He knew baseball better than most fans coils say they knew baseball. In 1997, he joined the Arizona Republic as a columnist and national baseball writer.

After his arrival to ESPN, Pedro became a vital part of the chase, the chase for the home run record. From 2005 to 2007, Pedro covered all things related to Barry Bonds, one of the most prolific hitters in MLB history. He covered Bonds up until he broke Hank Aaron’s home run record of 755 career home runs.

On top of being a reporter, Gomez had the opportunity to do play-by-play commentary for a baseball game on ESPN in 2014. He said his favorite moment to cover was Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series when Chicago fan Steve Bartman reached out and attempted to catch a foul ball over Cub’s outfielder Moises Alou. The Marlins would go on to score 8 runs in the inning to force Game 7.

Lastly, Pedro had the opportunity to be a part of ESPN’s landmark coverage of the 2016 matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team in Havana, Cuba. The best part of the trip, Pedro was able to bring the ashes of the father and his brother and return them to the family’s home in Cuba.

Pedro was, and forever will be, one of the best reporters and an even better father. He will be deeply missed by all who were close to him and to those who loved him around the world.