Former Major League Baseball player Terrance Gore has died. He was 34.
Gore — known for his speed on the basepath — died on Friday, February 6, per USA Today.
According to the outlet, Gore’s wife, Britney Helms, said in a social media post that Gore died from complications following a routine surgical procedure.
“Our hearts are shattered, my babies are shattered,” Helms wrote via social media, per the New York Post. “Our whole family is lost. This was so unexpected.”
Gore is survived by his wife and three young kids, Zane, Skylyn and Camden.
“We are heartbroken from the loss of Terrance Gore, and send our love to his family and loved ones,” the Kansas City Royals said in a social media statement.
Gore made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2014, after he was drafted by the organization in 2011. He played two different stints with the team throughout his eight seasons in the league.
He helped the Royals win just their second World Series in franchise history in 2015, then won the title again in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Terrance Gore,” said MLB in a statement on X.
While he played the bulk of his career with the Royals, Gore also spent time with the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Braves and New York Mets.
He stole 43 bases throughout his career and was only caught nine times. During the postseason, he went 5-for-6 in stolen bases.
Gore — who spent 11 seasons in the Minor Leagues — stole a total of 367 bases during his pro career.
The Omaha Chasers, a Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Royals, released their own statement honoring Gore after the athlete’s death.
“We join the Gore family and the world of baseball in mourning the passing of Terrance Gore,” the statement read. “Known for his great speed but even more so for his kindness and joyful smile, Terrance will be remembered as a tremendous teammate and a dedicated family man.”
Gore’s former teammate, Eric Hosmer, who was on that 2015 Royals championship team, took to social media to mourn the loss, posting four photos of the two celebrating together on the baseball diamond. The caption was simply the broken heart emoji.
Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg also shared his condolences on social media.
“So devastated to hear about the passing of Terrance Gore,” Greenberg posted via X. “I will forever remember his kindness and smile as much as his game-changing speed. #RIP #ForeverRoyal.”
Gore wasn’t known for his success as a batter (he only had 14 plate appearances in the first four seasons of his career and did not record his first hit until his fifth season), but rather made a name for himself by using his legs on the basepath.
Often used as a pinch runner in big situations, Gore quickly became a fan favorite during the Royals’ back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015.
He was just as popular with his teammates.
In a special moment after winning the 2021 World Series with the Braves, Gore took some time during the celebrations to call teammate Charlie Morton from the field to make sure he was part of the celebration. Morton had broken his leg earlier in the series, and was at home recovering from the injury.
