RIP MikeF

[BoSoxLady]

It’s with profound sadness that I report our beloved MikeF passed away peacefully last night.

There are many noob that are unaware of Mike’s famous daily spring training reports from The Fort. Always witty and informative. Social media put him out of business but his reports were a must read.

Mike was one of the original members of this site and maintained longtime friendships with many members who are still in residence.

We met this internet stranger in 2002 during our annual vacation to spring training. It was love at first sight. He was much older but age was no barrier when discussing all things Red Sox.

In 2006 we extended our time in Florida, so we purchased a spring training season ticket for the seats next to Mike’s. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, on and off the field. I can’t tell you how many times people from SoSH showed up at the ball park looking to meet Mike.

He introduced me to so many wonderful people and broadened our social circle greatly. He was one of the funniest, smartest, most loving people I know.

RIP Mike.

 

[jacklamabe65]

Mike was THE BEST and a legend at SoSH. He and Art Martone can argue about who was better - Tony C or Dwight Evans. God bless you, Mike - and thank you for your incredible reports from spring training. He always made me laugh even as he brought a wellspring of knowledge to the table through his deft eyes concerning our team.

 

[Tony C]

So very sad. A great, sweet man.

 

[Saints Rest]

Sad to hear. Those spring train reports were always a treat. The man loved his Red Sox.

 

[AlNipper49]

I see you there Tony C but this was probably the first picture of real life SoSH members, with Mike’s presence front and center

View: https://imgur.com/uoK4DOJ

 

[yecul]

Very sad news and thoughts are with his friends and family. Remember watching part of the '04 Yankees series with Mike and @Cumberland Blues at a local pub. He was a true Red Sox fan and it was a pleasure to know him even in a small way.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Dammit, this sucks. I never got to meet him but always loved his posts.
RIP Mike.

 

[jmcc5400]

Mike's reports from Spring Training were always a welcome harbinger of Spring and were anticipated and consumed like a Sunday notes column from Gammons in the middle of winter. Such sad news.

 

[NickEsasky]

Back then few things got me more excited about the upcoming baseball season than MikeF's funny and informative spring training recaps. Once they started you knew another Red Sox season was right around the corner. RIP to a SOSH legend.

 

[curly2]

Such sad news. I never met him, but he seems like a great guy. Glad he got to see four World Series titles. Rest in peace.

 

[Skiponzo]

I never knew Mike personally but I've been a member here since early 2003 and Mike F's spring training reports were a thing of beauty, must reads every time. He clearly LOVED baseball and the Red Sox. RIP Mike Godspeed to his family and friends.

 

[Manuel Aristides]

Felt like I knew him even though all I did was lurk and read his updates. I hope they have spring training in heaven. RIP.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

RIP Mike. His posts were like a warm breeze of sorts.

 

[jmcc5400]

RIP Mike. His posts were like a warm breeze of sorts.

That's exactly right. Well said.

 

[CR67dream]

This is just heartbreaking.

I met Mike in person around the same time Cheri did, and at the same place. We had fostered an online friendship, and each of us bought old time Sox replica jerseys from another online (SoSH) acquaintance, his Williams, mine Yaz. The plan was to wear these jerseys to the game we would meet at as identifiers, which he attended with Deb (FoxinSox).

I arrived at City of Palms and what do I see but the local constabulary manhandling a guy in a vintage Williams jersey. I mean, they spun him around, cuffed him, and were not gentle. For just a brief moment, I thought to myself "what have I gotten myself into?". I was quickly certain that there was no way that guy who got collared was the sweetheart that I had come to know on line, and sure enough, I go to the appointed section and there is Mike F with a huge welcoming smile, in his Williams jersey, Deb right there with him. Mike got a tremendous kick out of that story, I hope others will too. I just wish I wasn't telling it today. He was truly one of the most wonderful people I've ever met.

RIP Mike.

 

[Bergs]

Very sad news. Rest in peace. I don't know if it's allowed, but I'd appreciate a link to an obit.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Mike's daily reports were one of the things that got us ready to enjoy baseball again. Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but in those posts you got the sense you knew him. Truly sad news.

 

[absintheofmalaise]

Very sad news. I very much enjoyed reading his reports from Spring Training. RIP Mike.

 

[EdRalphRomero]

So sad to read. I was one of the many that did not know Mike, but loved his reports. They were filled with everything I love about baseball. I hope his memory is a comfort to all who knew and loved him.

 

[teddywingman]

Those spring training posts were part of the reason I got hooked on sosh. I'd walk to the library in freezing Wyoming with the sole intent of finding a computer and seeing if Mike had posted.

 

[joe dokes]

Mike's daily reports were one of the things that got us ready to enjoy baseball again. Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but in those posts you got the sense you knew him. Truly sad news.

Couldn't say it any better. The internet never surpassed him.

 

[Al Zarilla]

I very much enjoyed his Spring Training reports and I'm sure there were other posts of his here that were terrific. RIP Mike, and condolences to his family.

 

[Ivo Rentoren]

Mike's reports from spring training always got me excited about the upcoming season. I always pictured myself sitting there in Florida next to Mike and the other SoSH members. RIP.

 

[JimD]

Very sad to hear this. Part of my dream for retirement is to finally be able to make the trek down to Fort Myers for spring training, largely because of the image in my head from reading Mike's wonderful reports over the years. You could tell what a labor of love it was for him. My condolences to his family and friends.

R.I.P.

 

[BringBackMo]

It’s with profound sadness that I report our beloved MikeF passed away peacefully last night.

There are many noob that are unaware of Mike’s famous daily spring training reports from The Fort. Always witty and informative. Social media put him out of business but his reports were a must read.

Mike was one of the original members of this site and maintained longtime friendships with many members who are still in residence.

We met this internet stranger in 2002 during our annual vacation to spring training. It was love at first sight. He was much older but age was no barrier when discussing all things Red Sox.

In 2006 we extended our time in Florida, so we purchased a spring training season ticket for the seats next to Mike’s. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, on and off the field. I can’t tell you how many times people from SoSH showed up at the ball park looking to meet Mike.

He introduced me to so many wonderful people and broadened our social circle greatly. He was one of the funniest, smartest, most loving people I know.

RIP Mike.

This was a very touching tribute, and I feel like I got to know him just a little bit from your post. RIP Mike.

 

[DJnVa]

RIP MikeF

 

[TheDeuce222]

Very sorry to hear of his loss - I too greatly admired MikeF's spring training posts and looked forward to reading them every day for many a February and March. Part of what truly made this board and community an incredible gem.

I just tried to take a quick search to see if I could discover a few old reports, but couldn't find any with my admittedly rudimentary SOSH search capabilities. I'd love to read through a couple of old reports if anyone happens to have any saved or access to the old board.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

I can only add my share of the loss. A person who always seemed to represent the best of SoSH, baseball and community.

 

[BoSoxLady]

I see you there Tony C but this was probably the first picture of real life SoSH members, with Mike’s presence front and center

View: https://imgur.com/uoK4DOJ

 

[Zomp]

As someone who discovered SoSH during the Thanksgiving of 2003 event, Mike's Spring Training reports were always a must read. I still remember him gushing over Hanley's potential.

Our love for the Red Sox has brought everyone to this community, and nobody loved the team more than Mike F. RIP.

 

[Tony C]

aw, that photo.

RIP Mike. His posts were like a warm breeze of sorts.

Really nicely said.

 

[Cumberland Blues]

Before SoSH...before the DTFC…there was this hodgepodge of online baseball forums called Fastball that I’m sure some of you remember. Anyway – at one point on there around 1997 or so, Mike & I figured out we both lived in Burlington and decided to meet for a pint at the VT Pub & Brewery. We became fast friends and over the years we probably ended up having over a hundred meals together at that pub (including Game 5 of the ’04 ALCS as @yecul noted above).

We took in a bunch of games together at Centennial Field where the VT Expos/Lake Monsters play. Mike had season tix right behind where the next day’s pitcher’s always sat charting pitches. When the 50/50 raffle folks came buy hawking the $5 for an arm length deal – Mike always pointed to the tallest pitcher in the radar gun box and said “use his arm”. Never got old, and even paid off a couple times.

We roadtripped to many a game at Fenway (the first few in his old wood panel LeBaron convertible) – and took longer trips to Detroit and Atlanta and Baltimore together – Mike had enough old baseball stories and terrible jokes at his disposal to make even the longest ride seem too short, damn we had fun on those trips. He was the kindest, most generous man you could imagine and a great friend. I’m going to miss him terribly. RIP my friend.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Loved his Ft Myers reports too. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

You can have January 1. For the first decade of the 2000s, I built anticipation for the start of a new year with the Truck Day thread MikeF’s daily reports.

 

[Archer1979]

Big loss for all of us. My deepest sympathy for those that knew him personally as well as to his family.

 

[notmannysfault]

So sad to hear. RIP MikeF.

Really was one of the guys that brought SoSH to the next level as a Sox fan collective...before we were spoiled with "nice things" like championship trophies and parades and Cheri's '04 party at the Lantana.

Anyways, here's to hoping that in heaven, pitchers and catchers report today, and stay forever, for MikeF.

 

[Paul M]

RIP to one of the originals. Sucks that my last two posts over the last few years were for remembrances of longtime SoSHers Stiffy and Mike F.

 

[canderson]

Oh no, this is so sad. As mentioned, his spring training reports were a must-read and breathed life back into the late winter. I never got to meet him, but know so many did and only had great things to say about him.

I'm sorry to everyone who has lost a friend.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

RIP, Mike F. Truly a SoSH legend.

My condolences to you, BSL, and all his friends and family.

 

[Montana Fan]

This is one thread that isn’t going to need the WTDS admonition. In the pre-2004 glory days, I lived every February and March through Mike’s preseason posts. RIP

 

[pk1627]

I am one who looked up MikeF for a few innings in ST and enjoyed it thoroughly. The joy of sharing a passion with a global internet group is something we discussed.

 

[SumnerH]

Mike's warmth and enthusiasm shone through in his posts. I never got to meet him, but he still managed to bring joy to me and countless others. He will be sorely missed.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

So very sorry to hear. He was one of the mainstays of the early days of SoSH and I enjoyed his spring training reports, like so many others here.

 

[RIrooter09]

His reports from Ft. Myers were indeed a must read. I see that he hasn't posted since 2019. I hope his last few years were peaceful and full of happy memories for everyone close to him.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

A legend on the board. Never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but loved his content. My condolences to you all that were close to him and to his family.

I'll light a candle in his honor tonight. RIP.

 

[Bongorific]

Before SoSH...before the DTFC…there was this hodgepodge of online baseball forums called Fastball that I’m sure some of you remember. Anyway – at one point on there around 1997 or so, Mike & I figured out we both lived in Burlington and decided to meet for a pint at the VT Pub & Brewery. We became fast friends and over the years we probably ended up having over a hundred meals together at that pub (including Game 5 of the ’04 ALCS as @yecul noted above).

We took in a bunch of games together at Centennial Field where the VT Expos/Lake Monsters play. Mike had season tix right behind where the next day’s pitcher’s always sat charting pitches. When the 50/50 raffle folks came buy hawking the $5 for an arm length deal – Mike always pointed to the tallest pitcher in the radar gun box and said “use his arm”. Never got old, and even paid off a couple times.

We roadtripped to many a game at Fenway (the first few in his old wood panel LeBaron convertible) – and took longer trips to Detroit and Atlanta and Baltimore together – Mike had enough old baseball stories and terrible jokes at his disposal to make even the longest ride seem too short, damn we had fun on those trips. He was the kindest, most generous man you could imagine and a great friend. I’m going to miss him terribly. RIP my friend.

Thanks for sharing these stories, it was a thoughtful read.

Very sorry to all of you that knew Mike well and his family. Our community cannot thank him enough for his contributions.

 

[RIrooter09]

Thanks for sharing these stories, it was a thoughtful read.

Very sorry to all of you that knew Mike well and his family. Our community cannot thank him enough for his contributions.

Yes condolences to those who knew him personally. Seemed like a hell of a guy.

 

[cornwalls@6]

Oh man, hate to hear this news. RIP. His stuff was great, and his love of baseball and the Red Sox was always great tonic for the dog days of February and March.

 

[Spelunker]

Truck day, pitchers and catchers, MikeF's daily reports. For a very long time that was how we rounded winter's 3rd base and headed home. RIP.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Awful news. Condolences to his family. Loved reading Mike's reports from the Fort. Felt like you knew him without meeting him.