Former Red Sox player — and 2004 World Series champion — Dave McCarty died due to a “cardiac event” in California, the team announced Friday.
He was 54 years old.
The team released a statement Friday night, expressing sadness over the loss of the first baseman and outfielder who spent three seasons in Boston.
“Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Dave McCarty. 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,” the team shared on X.
Pitcher Lenny DiNardo, McCarty’s former teammate in Boston during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, also shared a message on social media.
“Just awful news. I was happy to be able to spend time with him at our reunion,” the former lefty pitcher wrote on X. “Such a great guy. He’ll be missed. Hug your loved ones.”
McCarty was first drafted by the Twins in the first round (third overall) of the 1991 MLB Draft out of Stanford to start his 11-year big league career.
He went on to play 630 games in the majors for seven different teams — the Twins (1993-95), Giants (1995-96), Mariners (1998), Royals (2000-02), Rays (2002), A’s (2003), and Red Sox (2003-05).
McCarty was a part of the Red Sox’s 2004 team, suiting up in 89 regular season games.
McCarty was present at Fenway Park when the team honored the late Tim Wakefield and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 2004 World Series title, which was the team’s first in 86 years.
In his three seasons with Boston, McCarty held a .286 batting average and .794 OPS and tallied five home runs and 25 RBIs.
After retirement, he served as a NESN analyst from July 2005 through the end of the 2008 season.