Dave McCarty, a member of the 2004 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series, died Friday in Oakland, California, due to a “cardiac event.”

He was 54.

“The Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of former first baseman and outfielder Dave McCarty, who passed away today at the age of 54 due to a cardiac event in Oakland, CA,” the team announced in a press release.

“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 Red Sox stated on social media.

Cont. from the press release:

Born in Houston, TX, McCarty played in 630 Major League games with seven teams, including the final three seasons of his professional career with the Red Sox from 2003-05. Earlier this month, he was at Fenway Park as part of the 20-year anniversary of Boston’s 2004 World Series Championship season.

Selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round (No. 3 overall) of the 1991 First-Year Player Draft out of Stanford University, McCarty played for the Twins (1993-95), San Francisco Giants (1995-96), Seattle Mariners (1998), Kansas City Royals (2000-02), Tampa Bay Rays (2002), Oakland A’s (2003), and Red Sox (2003-05). In 118 games with Boston, he hit .286 (52-for-182) with five home runs and a .794 OPS. McCarty appeared in 89 games for the Red Sox during their 2004 championship season, making 25 starts at first base and six in the outfield in addition to making three pitching appearances.

Per ESPN:

McCarty was among the members of the 2004 team who gathered April 9 at Fenway Park to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Series and honor Tim Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, both of whom died of cancer in the past six months.

Kevin Youkilis, McCarty’s Red Sox teammate, paid tribute to him 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,” Youkilis wrote. “A great father, husband, teammate, and friend. Thank you Big Mac for teaching me how to be a Big Leaguer!”

The Minnesota Twins selected McCarty with the No. 3 draft pick in 1991 out of Stanford. He made his major league debut with the Twins in 1993 and went on to play for six more teams over 11 seasons: the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Red Sox.

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.