Longtime Royals outfielder and pinch-running specialist Terrance Gore passed away yesterday at age 34. According to a social media post from Gore’s wife Britney, Gore unexpectedly passed following what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure.
A veteran of eight Major League seasons, Gore had one of the more unique careers of any player in baseball history. Gore played in 112 big league games, but made only 14 starts and 85 trips to the plate, as Gore was almost exclusively utilized as a pinch-running specialist. Gore didn’t hit much in the majors (.216/.310/.270 over his 85 PA) or even in the minor leagues, yet he carved out a niche for himself due to his glovework and blazing speed.
On the basepaths, Gore stole 43 bases out of 52 attempts, and scored 33 career runs. As a defender, Gore posted +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +6 Outs Above Average over 188 1/3 regular-season career innings in the outfield, seeing time at all three positions.
Kansas City selected Gore in the 20th round of the 2011 draft, and he spent five of his eight seasons in a Royals uniform. The majority of Gore’s big league time at the plate came during his 2019 season with the Royals, and he delivered a .275/.362/.353 slash line across 58 PA. Gore was a member of the Royals’ pennant-winning teams in 2014 and 2015, stealing four bases in five attempts over eight postseason games in those two iconic seasons in K.C. baseball history.
The Royals’ 2015 championship marked the first of three times Gore played for a World Series-winning team, as he also earned rings with the 2020 Dodgers and 2021 Braves. The back half of Gore’s big league career saw him bounce around to several postseason contenders (the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Braves, and Mets) looking to bolster their baserunning situation heading into the playoffs. Gore played in two regular-season games with the 2020 Dodgers but didn’t see any playoff action, and he then spent the entire 2021 regular season in the Braves’ minor league system before being included on Atlanta’s NLDS roster.
We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Gore’s family, friends, and loved ones.
So terrible and unexpected. Always had an interesting place in the league, you don’t see a “designated pinch-runner” too often. May he rest in peace.
Horrible news. Prayers to the family.
34. Way too young. RIP
Awful to hear. He knew what he was good at and turned it into three rings. Good for him. Gone too soon.
That is awful news. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Gore
Man, just awful. RIP.
Prayers go out to his family in these hard times. Way to young for that man.
Incredibly shocking. Rest in peace. Condolences to his loved ones.
Wow, that’s devastating at just 34.
That sucks. No such thing as a routine procedure anymore
Terrible. Routine surgery? Yikes.
Terrible to lose anyone in the prime of their life. Prayers for his family.
Damn, that’s tragic. Best wishes to his family.
RIP
You never know. That’s why I post the potential for mortality when surgeries are announced. Quite unfortunate to hear.
How sad at only 34. Way too young. Condolences to his family. RIP.
Awful. RIP young man.
R.I.P. TG!!!
Shocking and sad. Gone far too soon. RIP.
3-time World Series champion only to die so young. That’s just plain unlucky…
Incredibly, incredibly sad. My condolences to his family and loved ones.
This dude was a menace against the Twins those seasons. And I remember how vital he was in that 2015 world series run. Makes me sad to hear of his passing.
RIP Terrance…..
Our generation’s Herb Washington. He carved out a very interesting career with his immense speed and brains on the base path.
Shame to hear. RIP
Wow. So sad to hear so young. Feel for his family. Condolences to his family and friends.
Such a shame. He should have been just starting the relaxing second phase of his life and career with his family.
Whoa. I wonder what happened.
Complications with a routine surgery
This is so sad. As a Royals and Cubs fan, I got to see him a lot. The guy always had a smile on his face and never had a bad day. He was very fast and almost a sure bet on the basepaths when the opponent knew what he was in there to do. Such a tragedy. Thoughts and prayers for his family. What a shock!
Rest in peace Terrance, much too soon. Loved watching you steal bases for the Royals.
What the hell?
Absolutely horrifying at any age, but even worse at only 34 years old. Just terrible.
Terrible news. Way too young. RIP to the speed demon.
Terrible news. May he rest in peace.
This such sad news. Way, way too young. Thoughts and prayers to his wife and family.
That’s just horrible, he was 34 years old? May he rest in peace, that is way too young.
This is a tragic end to a beautiful baseball story. RIP, brother.
He was in the second phase of his life and maxing and relaxing with three rings on his fingers. 34 is far, far too young…just awful.
Remember to hold your loved ones close, as much as you can.
Rest in paradise Terrance.
Routine and surgery do not belong in the same sentence. Very unique career he had.