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* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{by|2006}}–{{By|2010}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{by|2006}}–{{By|2010}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{by|2011}}–{{By|2012}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{by|2011}}–{{By|2012}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{by|2012}}–present)
* [[Los Angeles Duds]] ({{by|2012}}–present)
| awards = <nowiki></nowiki>
| awards = <nowiki></nowiki>
* 4× [[MLB All-Star Game|All-Star]] (2008&ndash;2011)
* 4× [[MLB All-Star Game|All-Star]] (2008&ndash;2011)
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Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the [[2000 Major League Baseball Draft]] by the [[Florida Marlins]]. He was traded to the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], and later to the [[San Diego Padres]], where he was an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection four times and two-time [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]] winner. The four-time Padres team Most Valuable Player (MVP) was traded to the [[Boston Red Sox]] before entering the final year of his contract during the 2010 offseason and traded again to the Dodgers in August 2012.
Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the [[2000 Major League Baseball Draft]] by the [[Florida Marlins]]. He was traded to the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], and later to the [[San Diego Padres]], where he was an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection four times and two-time [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]] winner. The four-time Padres team Most Valuable Player (MVP) was traded to the [[Boston Red Sox]] before entering the final year of his contract during the 2010 offseason and traded again to the Dodgers in August 2012.


Gonzalez was born in San Diego, but played for [[Mexico national baseball team|Mexico]] in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic|2006]] and [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. His nicknames include '''Gonzo'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Gonzo finds a home |author=Charles P. Pierce |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/07/31/adrian_gonzalez_proves_to_red_sox_he_was_worth_the_wait/ |newspaper=[[Boston Globe]] |date=July 31, 2011 |accessdate=July 29, 2011}}</ref> and '''A-Gon'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/12/a-gon_gone.html|title=Is A-Gon gone?|last=Cafardo|first=Nick|work=The Boston Globe|date=December 5, 2010|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}</ref>
Gonzalez was born in San Diego, but said the hell with America and played for [[Mexico national baseball team|Mexico]] in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic|2006]] and [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. His nicknames include '''Gonzo'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Gonzo finds a home |author=Charles P. Pierce |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/07/31/adrian_gonzalez_proves_to_red_sox_he_was_worth_the_wait/ |newspaper=[[Boston Globe]] |date=July 31, 2011 |accessdate=July 29, 2011}}</ref> and '''A-Gon'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/12/a-gon_gone.html|title=Is A-Gon gone?|last=Cafardo|first=Nick|work=The Boston Globe|date=December 5, 2010|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}</ref>


==Professional career==
==Professional career==

Revision as of 00:50, 10 January 2013

This article is about the Major League Baseball player. For the footballer, see Adrián González (footballer).

Adrian Gonzalez
Gonzalez with the Red Sox on April 26, 2011
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 23
First baseman
Born: (1982-05-08) May 8, 1982 (age 42)
San Diego, California
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
debut
April 18, 2004, for the Texas Rangers
Career statistics
(through 2012 season)
Batting average.294
Home runs213
Runs batted in750
Hits1,301
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Adrian Gonzalez (born May 8, 1982) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.

Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he was an All-Star selection four times and two-time Gold Glove winner. The four-time Padres team Most Valuable Player (MVP) was traded to the Boston Red Sox before entering the final year of his contract during the 2010 offseason and traded again to the Dodgers in August 2012.

Gonzalez was born in San Diego, but said the hell with America and played for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic. His nicknames include Gonzo[1] and A-Gon.[2]

Professional career

Florida Marlins (2000–2003)

Gonzalez was projected to be a late first-round pick out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, but he advanced with his senior year performance.[3] In June 2000, Gonzalez became the first infield position player to be drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993. He was given a $3 million signing bonus by the Florida Marlins.[4] While in the Marlins organization, Gonzalez played with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, Kane County Cougars, Utica Blue Sox, Portland Sea Dogs (2002), Albuquerque Isotopes (2003), and Carolina Mudcats (2003). With the A level Kane County Cougars in his 2nd professional season, Gonzalez hit .312 with 17 home runs and 103 RBI's in 127 games. As a result he was selected by the Midwest League as the Most Valuable Player & Top Prospect in the league . He also played in the All-Star Futures Game.

Texas Rangers (2004–2005)

After a wrist injury, the Marlins felt Gonzalez would be hindered swinging the bat, so the Marlins included Gonzalez in a June 2003 trade with the Texas Rangers, along with Ryan Snare and minor leaguer Will Smith, to acquire a relief pitcher, Ugueth Urbina, to aid their championship drive.[5] He made his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners on April 18, 2004 and was hitless in 3 at-bats. He recorded his first base hit on April 20 against Ramón Ortiz of the Anaheim Angels and his first home run on April 25 off Kevin Jarvis of the Seattle Mariners. He played in 16 games for Texas in 2004 and in 43 games in 2005, with a combined batting average of .229 and 7 homers.

San Diego Padres (2006–2010)

Gonzalez after a swing with the Padres on May 11, 2008

After the season, Gonzalez was traded to the San Diego Padres along with pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Terrmel Sledge. In return, the Rangers received Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. Originally seen as an eventual replacement for Ryan Klesko at first base, Gonzalez was given the job when Klesko underwent shoulder surgery.

With extended playing time at first base in 2006, Gonzalez continued to improve his hitting and defense. On July 23, 2006, he was named the NL Player of the Week.[6] In his first full season, he led the Padres in batting average (.304) and home runs (24). He was the first player in Petco Park history to have more than one multiple home run game. He was named the Padres' MVP for 2006.[7]

On March 31, 2007, Gonzalez agreed to a $9.5 million, four-year deal, with a club option for $5.5 million in 2011.[8] In the 2007 season, he led the Padres in home runs again, with 30, and had a team-high 100 RBIs. He led all Major League first basemen with 161 games and a career-high 46 doubles.[7]

In the 2008 season, Gonzalez finished with a .279 average and once again led the Padres with 36 HRs and 119 RBIs. He was elected to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a reserve. He went 1 for 3 with a single and a sacrifice fly, scoring Miguel Tejada of the Houston Astros. He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2008 at first base. Gonzalez set career highs in games played (162), home runs (36), RBI (119), runs scored (103), walks (74) and slugging percentage (.510). He was named the Padres MVP for the second time.[7]

Gonzalez played winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League for the Venados de Mazatlán. In the 2009 Caribbean Series, he led his team past the Dominican Republic's Tigres del Licey with a record-setting 3 home runs on February 4.[9]

Gonzalez hit 23 homers and led Major League Baseball in that category at the end of May, 2009. This despite playing his home games at Petco Park, which Padres statisticians describe as an "extreme pitcher's park."[10] On May 18, Gonzalez was described as being one of the two most underrated players in the National League according to a poll of Major League executives and managers conducted by MLB.com.[10] On April 1, Gonzalez was named the NL Co-Player of the Week for the second time in his career. During that week, Gonzalez hit four home runs, tallied 10 RBIs, and had a 1.000 slugging percentage.[11] Gonzalez was elected to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game after voting by fellow players, managers and coaches.[12] He subsequently participated in that year's Home Run Derby where he hit two home runs in the first round. On August 1, Gonzalez finished 6-for-6 with three RBI as the Padres topped the Milwaukee Brewers 13–6. Gonzalez's six hits are the most by any Padre in a nine-inning game. Three others have accomplished the feat, but did it in extra-inning contests. Gonzalez hit five singles and a double.

He led the majors in walks in 2009, with 119,[13] while hitting 40 home runs for the first time in his career. He was named the Padres team MVP for 2009, his third time honored.[7]

Gonzalez started the 2010 season playing well. On May 24, he was named the NL Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career.[14] On June 2, Gonzalez hit a walk-off grand slam in extra innings to lead his team toward a 5–1 victory over the New York Mets.[15] In July, Gonzalez was elected to participate in his third consecutive All-Star game.

During the 2010 season, Gonzalez had 176 hits in 591 at bats, good for a .298 batting average, his highest since hitting .304 in his rookie season (2006). He had 93 walks and 114 strikeouts. His 93 walks put him in third place in the NL behind only Prince Fielder (114) and Albert Pujols (103). He finished with 31 home runs and 101 RBI, the third time in his career he had 100 RBI or more. Gonzalez played in 160 games on the year, tying him with Rickie Weeks for 5th in the NL. He scored 87 runs on the season, compiling 302 total bases, which also tied him with Weeks, for 6th in the NL. Gonzalez was named team MVP for the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall with the Padres.[16]

Boston Red Sox (2011–2012)

Adrian Gonzalez batting in 2012 at Fenway Park
Gonzalez at the 2011 All-Star Game

On December 6, 2010, Gonzalez was traded to the Boston Red Sox for a package of right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named later, later determined to be Eric Patterson.[17][18]

On April 15, 2011, Gonzalez and the Red Sox agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $154 million through the 2018 season.[19]

On June 19, 2011, Gonzalez hit his 1,000 career hit: a triple off of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo.[20]

On July 3, Adrian Gonzalez was selected to represent the Red Sox at the 2011 All Star game in Arizona along with teammates Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Jon Lester. Gonzalez hit a home run in the game and was responsible for the only run for the American League. Additionally, Ortiz selected Gonzalez as one of three sluggers to join him in the Home Run Derby, where he finished second to Robinson Canó. Gonzalez tied a record for most home runs in the final round of the home run derby at 11, which was then surpassed by the victor Cano.

Gonzalez was named AL Player of the Month for June 2011 with a .401 average (40 for 99) – the best in the Majors for that month.[21] After placing second in the 2011 Home Run Derby, Adrian Gonzalez faced a home-run slump until he hit five home runs in ten at-bats on August 23–25.

He appeared on the cover of baseball video game MLB 12: The Show.[22] On November 21, the AL MVP ballots came out, with Adrian in seventh place and his teammate Ellsbury in 2nd, both losing to Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

In 2012, Gonzalez appeared in 123 games with the Red Sox, hitting .300 with 15 homers and 86 RBI.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2012–present)

On August 25, 2012 he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers (along with Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto) and $11 million in cash for James Loney, Iván DeJesús, Jr., Allen Webster and two players to be named later (Jerry Sands and Rubby De La Rosa). In his first at bat for the Dodgers that same day, he hit a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins. In 36 games with the Dodgers, he hit .297 with 3 homers and 22 RBI.

Personal life

The son of Mexican parents, Gonzalez spent his youth in Tijuana, Mexico and Bonita, California. His brother is former Padres teammate Edgar Gonzalez. Their father was a member of the Mexican national baseball team.[23]

Gonzalez is a born-again Christian and engraved on his bats is "PS 27:1" for verse 1 from Psalm 27.[24]

Gonzalez and his wife Betsy reside in the San Diego community of La Jolla.[25][26][27] The couple created The Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation, which is focused on empowering underprivileged youth in areas of athletics, education and health.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ Charles P. Pierce (July 31, 2011). "Gonzo finds a home". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  2. ^ Cafardo, Nick (December 5, 2010). "Is A-Gon gone?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  3. ^ Edes, Gordon (February 10, 2011). "Gonzalez began with pocket of quarters". ESPNBoston.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011.
  4. ^ Blasco, J. In the Spotlight – Adrian Gonzalez. Accessed November 2, 2010.
  5. ^ Ring-bearer: How an Adrian Gonzalez deal led to a championship WEEI
  6. ^ 2006 Player of the Week winners MLB.com
  7. ^ a b c d "Player Bio Information". MLB.com. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  8. ^ "Gonzalez agrees to 4-year deal with Padres". ESPN. Associated Press. April 1, 2007. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
  9. ^ Jesse Sanchez (February 5, 2009). "Gonzalez powers Mexico past DR". MLB. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Brock, Corey (May 18, 2009). "Werth, Gonzalez NL's most underrated". MLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  11. ^ "Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez named National League Co-Players of the Week presented by Bank of America". MLB.com. June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Brock, Corey (July 5, 2009). "Padres' Bell earns first All-Star Game trip". MLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  13. ^ "MLB Player Batting Stats – 2009". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  14. ^ Gonzalez, Cruz named Players of Week MLB.com
  15. ^ "Adrian Gonzalez's walk-off grand slam lifts Padres over Mets". USA Today. June 3, 2010.
  16. ^ Brock, Corey (January 26, 2011). "Bell, Adrian honored at Padres' awards dinner". MLB. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011.
  17. ^ Gonzalez 'ready to beat the Yanks' MLB.com
  18. ^ Patterson to Friars completes Gonzalez deal MLB.com
  19. ^ Browne, Ian (April 15, 2010). "Red Sox, Adrian Gonzalez agree on seven-year contract". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  20. ^ "Adrian Gonzalez legs out 1,000th career hit".
  21. ^ Drellich, Evan (July 5, 2011). "Gonzalez named AL Player of the Month". MLB. Retrieved July 6, 2011. The leader in two of the three legs of the American League triple crown and a true force in the middle of the Red Sox lineup, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez on Tuesday was named the Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month for June.
  22. ^ Jackson, Scott. "Yo Adrian! You're on the cover of MLB the Show". Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  23. ^ "A dream fulfilled for Gonzalez brothers". Corey Brock / MLB.com. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  24. ^ Adrian Gonzalez' bat sends a message (in more ways than one)
  25. ^ "Adrian Gonzalez: Biography and Career Highlights". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  26. ^ jbox (December 12, 2010). "Adrian Gonzalez bought a $7.2 million, 7 Bed/10 Bath, 11,000 sq. ft. house in La Jolla before trade". Gaslampbal.com. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  27. ^ Tom Blair (December 12, 2010). "http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/12/playing-ball-game-real-estate/". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  28. ^ "The Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation". Adriangonzalezfoundation.org. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
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Preceded by First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft
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