Dave McCarty, a first baseman and outfielder on the Boston Red Sox, died Friday in Oakland, California. He was 54.
The Red Sox announced his death, caused by “cardiac arrest.”
Mr. McCarty was on the Red Sox 2004 team that won the World Series. He and other teammates gathered on April 9 at Fenway Park, Red Sox’s home, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Series and honor teammate Tim Wakefield and his wife who both died of cancer in the past six months.
“Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Dave McCarty,” Red Sox said in a post on social media.
“Playing 3 seasons with the Red Sox, he will forever be a part of the curse-breaking 2004 World Series championship team. We send our love to his wife, Monica, and their children, Reid and Maxine.”
Former teammate Lenny DiNardo said on X, formerly Twitter, “Just awful news. I was happy to be able to spend time with him at our reunion. Such a great guy. He’ll be missed. Hug your loved ones.”
Another former teammate, Kevin Youkilis, wrote on social media, “You never know when it’s the last time you will see someone. Grateful to share an amazing 04 Reunion and a flight back home to the Bay Area with Dave McCarty. A great father, husband, teammate, and friend. Thank you Big Mac for teaching me how to be a Big Leaguer!”
Mr. McCarty was the No. 3 overall draft pick for the Minnesota Twins in 1991, out of Stanford University. He played for six more teams over 11 seasons: the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, and the Red Sox.
He played in 630 games, compiling a .242 average with 36 home runs and 175 RBIs.
He worked as an analyst for NESN from July 2005 through the 2008 season.
Reuters contributed to this report.
