The Kansas City Royals announced that Terrance Gore, one of the last major leaguers to make an impact using only his most exciting tool – breathtaking speed, passed away on Friday, February 6th.
Mr. Gore, 34, died from complications during a routine surgery, according to a social media post by his wife, Britney. Mr. Gore is survived by his wife and three children.
Respected as a teammate and with a dynamic personality, Gore’s incredible speed kept him in the major leagues for parts of eight seasons, producing one of the most remarkable feats a player can claim. Gore won the 2015 World Series championship with the Royals in his second year in the majors, but had yet to record his first hit in the majors.
In fact, it wasn’t until his fifth major league season with the Chicago Cubs in 2018 that he got his first hit, a single over the center off future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer.
But his feet were of immense value.
Gore, whose height is perhaps generously listed at 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, had a 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds. The low-income Royals, always looking for an edge, used him as a designated runner during their two-year run as American League champions, which culminated with the 2015 championship.
It was almost impossible to catch him. Gore started his career with 17 steals for 17 at-bats (though he was caught once in the postseason), but he was finally caught by Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez in 2016.
But by then, he had become a cult hero in Kansas City. During the Powerball era, he was part of a Royals team that somehow evoked memories of the speed and defensive dynasty of the 1980s. Led by All-Star Lorenzo Cain and anchored by Jarrod Dyson and Gore, Kansas City found a way to topple the bigger market clubs and win their first championship in 30 years.
Dyson coined the famous phrase, “That’s speed,” but even he couldn’t keep up with Gore, who stole a base and hit a walk-off in his major league debut.
“I wouldn’t say I’m cocky,” he told the Kansas City Star in 2014, “but I know I’m really fast.
“And it’s going to take a perfect pitch.”
Gore developed into a more fully formed player during his second tour with the Royals, hitting .275 with 14 hits in 58 at-bats in 2019 and 13 home runs in 18 attempts.
“Terrance was an unforgettable addition to our organization with a unique talent that led to some of the greatest moments in Royals history,” Royals Director of Baseball Operations JJ Piccolo said in a statement released by the team. “His speed and athleticism were what most people immediately noticed, but those of us who had the opportunity to know him also remember his energy, humility and impact in big moments on the game’s biggest stage.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terrence’s wife, Britney, three children, and all of his family and friends during this difficult time. This is a sad end to an incredible story.”
He went on to settle with the Dodgers, Braves and Mets, achieving another shot at postseason glory and playing in the 2021 NLDS with Atlanta. However, he showed his big heart after the Braves won the World Series.
While celebrating the Braves’ shutout of the Houston Astros in Game 6 of that Fall Classic, Gore made sure to pull out his cell phone and record a video call to pitcher Charlie Morton, who was recovering at home from surgery after fracturing his right fibula in Game 1.
Simply, he wanted Charlie to join in the celebration. And somehow, wherever Goa went, some kind of celebration was likely to ensue, no matter how unlikely.
Gore was born in Macon, Georgia, and grew up in Gray, a small town northeast of Macon, before attending Gulf Coast State University in Florida, where the Royals selected him in the 20th round of the 2011 draft. After retiring, he settled in Panama City and worked as a speed trainer and baseball trainer at a local sports facility as his and Britney’s family grew to include three children.
Gore retired without hitting a home run in the major leagues, but managed to make an everlasting impact on the game despite having only one RBI.
