Jones County, Florida panhandle, and pro baseball world mourning sudden loss of Terrance Gore
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Terrance Gore was an eye-catching athlete from early on.
Physically, he wasn’t big, but he certainly had a sizable impact whenever he put on a uniform.
The Jones County graduate turned superb speed into a Major-League baseball career that spanned a dozen years and three World Series rings.
Fans and supporters in Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago and minor-league cities ranging from Burlington, Vermont to Syracuse to Omaha Lawrenceville were in shock Saturday morning to learn that Gore had died unexpectedly on Friday.
The 34-year-old apparently died from complications during a routine surgery, according to multiple social media reports, as well as a post from his wife Britney.
Gore made his pro baseball debut in 2011 – after being picked in the 20th round of the draft - with the Kansas City rookie-league team, and went on to play in the minors in Burlington, Lexington, Ky., Omaha, Wilmington, N.C. Northwest Arkansas, Iowa, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa.., Gwinnett, and Syracuse.
He donned the Major League uniforms of Kansas City, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.
Despite career-long struggles at the plate – he was a career .216 hitter in the majors and .237 in the minors – he played 12 pro seasons, eight in the majors, and was part of World Series championship teams with Kansas City, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
He signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in February of 2021 and spent the season in Gwinnett. But he was called up to the 26-man roster for the National League Division Series, was removed from the NCLS roster but was back with Atlanta for th World Series.
He didn’t play in the series, won by Atlanta. It was his third World Series title in seven years.
Gore signed with the Mets in the summer of 2022, played in six games, and soon chose free agency, having played his final game on Oct. 5, 2022, going 1 for 3 in a playoff game.
He and wife Britney had three children: Zane, Sky, Camden. They lived in the Florida panhandle, and Gore was involved in youth baseball and instruction.
Reaction on social media portrayed a good teammate and good person with a constant smile.
From the Omaha Storm Chasers on X: “We join the Gore family and the world of baseball in mourning the passing of Terrance Gore. 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.
From Omaha president Martie J. Cordaro: You were a light in a world full of dark. Your baseball and #ChasersFamily mourns for you and your family.”
From Gap to Gap Baseball: “The baseball world lost a tremendous man last night, but more importantly a family lost a dad, a husband, a brother.
“It was an honor to call Terrance Gore a friend. He was one of the most humble, kind, and caring humans you could ever meet... oh and he played baseball too. Thats him. Tremendous human first, dad, husband, friend and then eventually you'd get to professional baseball player.”
From Bay County Youth Athletics: “It is with heavy hearts that BCYA mourns the loss of Terrance Gore. Terrance was more than a baseball player — he was a true community pillar who lived the game, inspired others, and left a lasting impact both on and off the field.”