ESPN’s PR department sent out a shocking tweet during the Super Bowl announcing the death of reporter Pedro Gomez.
Gomez was 58 years old.
He had been with ESPN since 2003. The timing was such that he spent many of his early days in Bristol covering Barry Bonds and Major League Baseball’s first PED and steroid suspensions. Awful Announcing’s Jay Rigdon notes that Gomez “was one of the only media members the notoriouly prickly Bonds ever seemed open to talking to.”
“We are shocked and saddened to learn that our friend and colleague Pedro Gomez has passed away,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a press release. “Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional accomplishments are universally recognized. More importantly, Pedro was a kind, dear friend to us all. Our hearts are with Pedro’s family and all who love him at this extraordinarily difficult time.”
“Pedro was far more than a media personality. He was a Dad, loving husband, loyal friend, coach and mentor. He was our everything and his kids’ biggest believer,” his family added.
No official cause of death has been released. Gomez passed away Sunday afternoon at home. He is survived by his wife Sandra and their three children, Rio, Dante, and Sierra.
