Former Red Sox first baseman Dave McCarty dies at age 54 one week after 2004 World Series reunion

MLB announced that the athlete and father of two died on April 19 “due to a cardiac event”

Dave McCarty, a former first baseman and outfielder for the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, has died. He was 54 years old.

McCarty died early Friday morning, April 19, “due to a cardiac event” in Oakland, Calif., the Red Sox said in a statement.

McCarty’s death comes just over a week after he joined his former teammates at Fenway Park on April 9 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their championship and pay tribute to the late Tim and Stacy Wakefield.

Related: Tim Wakefield’s widow, Stacy, dies 5 months after Boston Red Sox pitcher

McCarty, a Houston native who attended Stanford University, played for seven teams (and in 630 games) in the MLB between 1993 and 2005.

He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 1991 First Year Player Draft before playing for the team from 1993 to 1995. From there, he joined the San Francisco Giants in 1995, the Seattle Mariners in 1998, the Kansas City Royals in 2000, the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002, the Oakland A’s in 2003, and the Red Sox in 2003.

He spent two seasons and 118 games in Boston, where he hit five homers during his time with the franchise and hit .286. McCarty played in 25 games during the team’s 2004 championship run.

He also worked as an analyst for NESN from 2005 to 2008.

Related: Pedro Martinez says he and Red Sox teammates are ‘here to be uncles’ to Tim Wakefield’s kids (Exclusive)

Former Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis shared an emotional tribute on Instagram following the news of his friend’s death, writing that McCarty was “a good one.”

“An amazing husband, father, teammate and friend. Big Mac had a huge impact on my career, teaching me how to be a big leaguer,” Youkilis wrote alongside a picture of the two smiling in the dugout. “Always grateful for the time we shared together. May his memory be a blessing!”

Former Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo also shared a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), calling McCarty’s death “terrible news.”

“I was glad I was able to spend time with him at our reunion,” he wrote. “Such a great guy. He will be missed. Hugs to your loved ones.”

McCarty’s death comes after former teammate Tim Wakefield died at age 57 in October 2023. Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, died five months later.

McCarty, a father of two, is survived by his wife, Monica, and children Reid and Maxine, the Red Sox shared.

“Playing 3 seasons with the Red Sox, he will forever be a part of the 2004 World Championship team,” the organization wrote. X. “We send our love to his wife, Monica, and their children, Reid and Maxine.”

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