/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63091825/usa_today_12185907.0.jpg)
The entire sports community received some bad news this afternoon. Boston Globe sports writer and reporter Nick Cafardo passed away at the age of 62. He was covering spring training in Fort Myers, Florida when he passed away.
Boston Globe Sports reported the tragic news in an article that they shared on Twitter.
Nick Cafardo, our widely respected baseball columnist, died Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla. He was 62.
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) February 21, 2019
We will miss him dearly.https://t.co/vHTFm5cq0W pic.twitter.com/FjhYvm3Mrf
According to the Globe, Cafardo was “stricken by an embolism at the park, and members of the Sox medical team were unable to revive him.” Due to his immense love of baseball, Cafardo was at JetBlue park Thursday despite having a rare scheduled off-day.
Boston’s top sports radio station, WEEI, shared on the air that one of their reporters went to see Cafardo this morning to chat, and Cafardo appeared to be in great shape. Not long after, Cafardo went down to field-level and collapsed. He re-gained consciousness at one point but was pronounced dead at a local hospital after he could not be revived, per WEEI.
The Red Sox organization released the following statement, remembering Cafardo and passing on their condolences to his friends and family.
Statement From The Red Sox Regarding The Passing Of Nick Cafardo: pic.twitter.com/wQ9oHA0xYq
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) February 21, 2019
Cafardo joined the Globe in 1989 after a stint covering the Red Sox elsewhere. He spent a while covering the New England Patriots, but later committed to the Red Sox beat. For the last decade-and-a-half, Cafardo has spent his time traveling to cover the Red Sox and their four World Series championships since 2004. Cafardo not only built relationships with players, coaches, and executives, but, as the Globe noted in their story, he also formed close relationships with grounds crew members and scouts.
Cafardo also managed the Globe’s Sunday Notes column, which was one of the Boston Globe’s most famous features of all time.
“Nick was one of the best people to ever walk through our doors — generous with his time and insights, immensely knowledgeable, deeply devoted to the Globe,’’ the Globe’s editor, Brian McGrory, said. “He had a view of the Red Sox and the game on a national scale that is virtually unrivaled. For those reasons, he was one of our most read writers, constantly attracting followers near and far, his weekly baseball notes column being destination reading for tens of thousands of people.’’
In addition to his work with the Patriots, Red Sox, and Major League Baseball, Cafardo often appeared on the New England Sports Network to discuss the Sox. Cafardo also authored several books, including If These Walls Could Talk with Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, Inside Pitch: Playing and Broadcasting the Game I Love with baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, and The Impossible Team: The Worst to First Patriots’ Super Bowl Season.
Thousands of members of the sports community took to social media to share their condolences and memories following Cafardo’s passing.
We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and readers of Nick Cafardo – a talented writer, a true professional and a friend to so many throughout our game.
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) February 21, 2019
I absolutely loved this man. Nick Cafardo was one of the greatest people I've ever met in this business, and such a dear friend. Absolutely heartbreaking. The sports world lost a great one, and I can't tell you how much we will miss him. https://t.co/G6b0xcws9s
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 21, 2019
Tragic news about a great man, Nick Cafardo. Nick was not only a top reporter, but always a friendly face at Fenway or Yankee Stadium. https://t.co/9kN9r0sEoc
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) February 21, 2019
We are crushed. They don’t get better personally and professionally than Nick Cafardo. Rest In Peace, my friend.
— Tim Kurkjian (@Kurkjian_ESPN) February 21, 2019
In 1987, 21 YO, covering @RedSox in Winter Haven.
— Obnoxious Boston Fan (@realOBF) February 21, 2019
Had a legit pass, but guard would not let me into clubhouse area.
A sportswriter I did not know and had never met told the guard I was OK.
He then showed me where I needed to be.
It was Nick Cafardo of the Patriot Ledger. https://t.co/WFU49DxDKw
Nick Cafardo was one of the best beat guys I’ve come across. He was loved by everyone. Today’s news was tough to hear. I feel awful.
— Lou Merloni (@LouMerloni) February 21, 2019
Nick Cafardo’s passing has stunned all of us here in Fort Myers. One of the giants of our business, Nick was a kind, decent man who brightened the press box. As someone who sat next to him for more than 25 years,l can attest to his good nature. https://t.co/tA4fMPv24x
— Steve Buckley (@BuckinBoston) February 21, 2019
Saw Nick this morning at a coffee shop near downtown Fort Myers. He asked about Rocco. To learn he passed away a few hours later is making my heart sink. One of the best people among the scribes. https://t.co/vtb2I7NXB0
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) February 21, 2019
Former MLB Daily Dish site manager Chris Cotillo shared a memory he had of Cafardo, who congratulated him after landing a job with MassLive to join the Red Sox beat.
Nick Cafardo was the first person to congratulate me on joining the Red Sox beat last summer at Fenway and someone I enjoyed working with every day. A hard worker, great writer and tremendous person. Thoughts and prayers for his family. Rest in peace.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 21, 2019
Current members of the MLB Daily Dish team have also shared memories and extended their condolences.
This is terribly sad news. So sorry to hear. https://t.co/CB8muZMK8T
— Wayne Cavadi (@UofDWayne) February 21, 2019
Just heard about Nick Cafardo's passing. Just awful.
— Eric Cole (@leprekhan) February 21, 2019
I have no words. I’ve talked to Nick several times and he was such a kind person, fabulous writer and reporter, and all-around great person. Growing up in New England, I’ve followed his work since I started following sports. Again — I have no words. Tragic loss. Rest in peace. https://t.co/1EXMBwQlfT
— Andersen Pickard (@andersenreports) February 21, 2019
Cafardo is survived by his wife, Leeanne, and two children, Ben and Emilee.
MLB Daily Dish extends our condolences to Cafardo’s family and friends.