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During his press conference today, ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith spoke at length about ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez, who died on Sunday. Here are the highlights:
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"Life is precarious, I think we all know that. I think life has a funny way of revealing how precarious it is."
Smith said that, after not seeing each other in months, his wife ran into Pedro's wife, Sandy. The four spent time together on Saturday, the day before Pedro died.
Smith said that, after not seeing each other in months, his wife ran into Pedro's wife, Sandy. The four spent time together on Saturday, the day before Pedro died.
Smith said they talked for hours, and that he "learned about 90%" of what he knew about Pedro, a longtime friend, in that one night.
"I am so thankful, while I am devastated, while I'm tremendously upset at the loss of him ... I am thankful that I had that opportunity."
"I am so thankful, while I am devastated, while I'm tremendously upset at the loss of him ... I am thankful that I had that opportunity."
"... I'm not a real affectionate guy. But I just remember when we were leaving, I hugged Sandy, it ended up Pedro and I hugged, and I don't normally do that."
"I'm sad that he's gone but I'm so, so, so thankful that we got that last evening with him and Sandy."
"I'm sad that he's gone but I'm so, so, so thankful that we got that last evening with him and Sandy."
Smith said that Pedro's son, Rio - a University of Arizona alum currently pitching in the Boston Red Sox minor league system - "was always at the center of our conversations."
On Saturday, Smith's wife, Jaime, was getting cold, so Pedro brought out a U of A blanket (cont'd)
On Saturday, Smith's wife, Jaime, was getting cold, so Pedro brought out a U of A blanket (cont'd)
"I was like, 'She can't, she ain't gonna use that blanket,' " Smith said. "I made some comment like, 'She didn't have to use the restroom. Why'd you bring that out?' "
"His loyalties certainly were with his son, but I can also tell you he was a huge fan of ASU and ASU baseball."
"His loyalties certainly were with his son, but I can also tell you he was a huge fan of ASU and ASU baseball."
Smith said Saturday night immediately became his favorite memory with Pedro. They talked about life, work, baseball and family. He called Pedro "respectful," "humble" and "a very intelligent person.
He also spoke about Gomez's impact on journalism:
He also spoke about Gomez's impact on journalism:
"I think we got robbed, on a lot of levels. Sandy and the kids got robbed of an unbelievable father and husband and role model, all of those things, but I think you guys got robbed in the profession because you lost a giant."
Smith closed by saying:
"It just sucks. That's the word, it just sucks."
For more reactions from around the valley to Pedro Gomez's death, check out @TheeAltaPeralta's excellent story: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/02/08/pedro-gomez-remembered-for-impact-on-baseball-journalism/
"It just sucks. That's the word, it just sucks."
For more reactions from around the valley to Pedro Gomez's death, check out @TheeAltaPeralta's excellent story: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/02/08/pedro-gomez-remembered-for-impact-on-baseball-journalism/
