RIP MikeF

BoSoxLady

Rules Red Sox Nation with an Iron Fist
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2003
3,448
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

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
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.
 
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yecul

appreciates irony very much
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 8, 2001
18,470
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.
 

jmcc5400

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 29, 2000
5,203
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

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 24, 2001
9,190
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

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 8, 2003
4,887
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

Member
SoSH Member
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

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 7, 2009
224
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.
 

CR67dream

blue devils forevah!
Dope
SoSH Member
Oct 4, 2001
7,187
I'm going home
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

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,612
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

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
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.
 

EdRalphRomero

wooderson
SoSH Member
Oct 3, 2007
4,472
deep in the hole
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

Looks like Zach Galifianakis
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2009
11,168
a basement on the hill
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

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,236
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

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
58,867
San Andreas Fault
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

New Member
Sep 23, 2021
9
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

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2001
8,681
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

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,316
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.
 

TheDeuce222

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
380
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

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Nov 8, 2004
4,538
Bernal
I can only add my share of the loss. A person who always seemed to represent the best of SoSH, baseball and community.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
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.
 

Cumberland Blues

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2001
5,193
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.
 

Archer1979

shazowies
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
7,866
Right Here
Big loss for all of us. My deepest sympathy for those that knew him personally as well as to his family.
 

notmannysfault

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
500
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

Moderator
Moderator
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 2, 2000
10,387
Falls Church, VA
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

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,429
Harrisburg, Pa.
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.
 

Montana Fan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 18, 2000
8,879
Twin Bridges, Mt.
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

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 24, 2003
2,514
Boston
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

Malt Liquor Picker
Dope
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
31,887
Alexandria, VA
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

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 13, 2005
4,029
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

Alvin
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2008
7,254
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

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
3,246
Portland, OR
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

Thinks he’s clever
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
8,433
Balboa Towers
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

Alvin
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2008
7,254
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.
 

Spelunker

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
11,858
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.