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Wikipedia

Juan González (baseball)

January 01, 1970

This article is about the Puerto Rican baseball player. For other uses, see Juan González (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is González and the second or maternal family name is Vázquez.

Juan Alberto González Vázquez (born October 20, 1969) is a Puerto Rican former baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for four teams, but is most identified with the Texas Rangers, for whom he played from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2003. One of the premier run producers and most feared hitters of the 1990s and early 2000s, González hit over 40 home runs five times and amassed at least 100 runs batted in (RBI) eight times. He also had a batting average of .310 or higher in five seasons.

Juan González
Outfielder
Born: (1969-10-20) October 20, 1969 (age 54)
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 1989, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
May 31, 2005, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Batting average.295
Home runs434
Runs batted in1,404
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals

In his career as a whole, González averaged 42 home runs, 135 RBI, 81 extra-base hits, and 353 total bases per 162 games, placing him well within the top ten all-time in these season-adjusted statistics.

González was known as a line drive hitter, not a fly-ball home run hitter, as were many power hitters of the 1990s.[1] He was a full-time player at the age of 21 and a two-time Most Valuable Player before his 30th birthday.[2] González explained his propensity for bringing runners home by saying, "I concentrate more when I see men on base."

Early life edit

González grew up in a rough area of Puerto Rico, where as a young boy he learned to hit bottlecaps and corks with a broomstick handle in the Alto de Cuba barrio.[citation needed] In the Puerto Rico youth league, González batted cleanup behind future Yankee center fielder Bernie Williams, where both competed against González's future teammate Iván Rodríguez.[3] When the Yankees scouted the teenage Williams, he requested that they also bring his friend González to their scouting camp on the east coast; however, due to a lack of funding, González would remain in Puerto Rico.[4]

Professional career edit

Minors edit

The Texas Rangers signed González as an amateur free agent on May 30, 1986, at the age of 16. González has always wanted to serve as a role model for the kids of Puerto Rico, as they are faced with the downfalls of drugs and prostitution frequently. González avoided such temptations growing up. His father, a math teacher, and mother, a housewife, made sure González and his two sisters behaved properly and stayed away from negative influences. González moved his family out of the barrio early in his MLB career. He paid utility bills for down-on-their-luck friends and plans on working to construct recreation facilities and a baseball diamond in his home town. One of Juan's managers, Johnny Oates, believed that until you've walked where Juan González has walked, you just won't understand. Speaking from experience, as Oates has walked the streets of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, during visits multiple times, he had this to say: "I don't think you can appreciate how far he's come until you've been there", Oates said. "We might be making choices between going to the movies or going to the skating rink. But look at the choices the kids there were faced with growing up – do you want to do drugs or get beaten up? I think it says so much about him that he was able to rise above the peer pressure in Vega Baja. He had enough intelligence to say, 'I don't want to do that.'"[5]

In Puerto Rico he is known as "Igor", the nickname he has carried since he was a nine-year-old fascinated by the professional wrestler "Igor the Magnificent." "I watched wrestling all the time and I still like it", González said. "One day when I was nine, I told another guy, 'I'm Igor.' And he said, 'Okay, your name is Igor from now on.' And I've been Igor since then."[6]

González debuted with the 1986 GCL Rangers and finished with .240 batting average, .303 on-base percentage, and a .266 slugging percentage in 60 games. He only had five extra-base hits (none of them home runs) in 233 AB and struck out 57 times. He tied Harvey Pulliam by grounding into a Gulf Coast League-leading 9 double plays.

In 1987, González showed some improvement with the Gastonia Rangers, though Mark Whiten and Junior Felix were deemed better outfield prospects in the South Atlantic League. In ratings by Baseball America, González tied Ryan Bowen for 10th place on the prospect listing. He finished with .265 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, and .401 slugging percentage with 14 home runs and 74 RBI.

González spent 1988 with the Charlotte Rangers and batted .256/~.327/.415 with 8 home runs in 277 AB. One of his outfield teammates that year was Sammy Sosa. The next year, he showed more improvement with the Tulsa Drillers hitting .293/~.322/.506 with 21 home runs and led the Texas League with 254 total bases. He outhomered Sosa by 14 and was third in the League in home runs, behind teammate Dean Palmer (25) and Chris Cron (22). González was rated the league's No. 4 prospect by Baseball America, behind Ray Lankford, Andy Benes and José Offerman. Lankford and Warren Newson joined him in the TL All-Star outfield.

Texas Rangers (1989–1999) edit

González was called up by the Texas Rangers in September of that year, but only hit .150/.227/.250. During his time with the Rangers that year, González only hit one home run. He became the youngest player in Rangers history (19 yrs old) to hit a home run.

In 1990, González – playing with the Oklahoma City 89ers – led the American Association in home runs (29), RBI (101) and total bases (252). He made the AAA All-Star outfield alongside Lankford and Bernard Gilkey and was named the league MVP. Baseball America named him the top prospect in the league in a poll of managers. He finished with .258/~.343/.508 for the 89ers. In the AAA All-Star Game, González hit 4th for the AL prospects and played as a designated hitter. He went 2 for 5 with a double, one of the game's two homers, two runs and two RBI in the AL's 8–5 loss. González was again called up by the Rangers and did far better this time, batting .289/.316/.522.

In 1991, Texas gave González a chance to be an everyday player. He batted .264 while hitting 27 home runs and recording 102 runs batted in (RBIs). González came up as a center fielder, as did teammate Sammy Sosa; but the Rangers opted to keep González and trade Sosa. González split his time in the OF between CF (93 games) and LF (92 games). González thrilled the club in his first full season at the young age of 21, as his 27 home runs led the Rangers. His 102 RBI was good enough for 2nd on the club, and 7th in the AL.

In 1992, González finished with a .260 batting average, 43 home runs, and 109 RBIs. He spent most of his time in CF in '92, playing 123 games there, 31 in LF and making just one appearance in RF, while DH-ing 4 games. He was the American League home run champion (one more than Mark McGwire) while also ranking 3rd in TB (309), 4th in extra-base hits (69), 5th in slugging percentage (.529), 7th in RBIs (109) while winning his first Silver Slugger Award. Winning the home run crown at the age of 22 made him the youngest player to lead the majors since Johnny Bench in 1970.

In 1993, González broke through to true stardom. He led the AL for the second consecutive year with 46 bombs, while raising his batting average an impressive 50 points to .310, all this to go along with a league-leading slugging percentage of .632. That production garnered González an invite to his first All-Star team. During the 1993 All-Star Weekend, he participated in the only Home Run Derby of his career. González and Ken Griffey Jr. put on an amazing display of raw-power, as they each golfed 7 homers a piece. González, however, wowed the national audience even more, becoming the first player to hit a homer into the facade of the upper deck in left field (estimated 473 feet) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the green wall behind the center-field fence (estimated 455 feet).[1] González then defeated Griffey in a winner-take-all playoff for the individual Home Run Derby title, 5–4. When asked about the title, González responded: "It was very exciting to surprise everybody. I never thought in my mind that I'd win the Home Run Derby. I even surprised myself."[6] He also finished fourth in voting for the 1993 AL MVP and earned his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award.

In 1994, the Rangers moved from Arlington Stadium to The Ballpark in Arlington. González batted 19 home runs in 1994 during the strike-shortened season, but belted 27 home runs in 1995, in just 90 games.

From 1995–98, González was an RBI machine, averaging more than an RBI per game (514 RBI, 511 games). This made him the first player since World War II to drive in a run per game for any four-year period. He won two MVP awards in this stretch (1996 and 1998). The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract listed him as the player who had the highest ratio of slugging percentage to on-base percentage in baseball history at that time, ahead of Dave Kingman and Tony Armas and 4th in RBI per game by an outfielder (behind Sam Thompson, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth). James also ranked González as the 52nd-best right fielder in baseball history as of mid-2000.

In 1996, González had one of his best seasons hitting .314 with a .643 slugging percentage. He edged Alex Rodríguez by one first-place vote (11–10) and 3 award points (290–287) in a very close vote to win the American League MVP.[7] He won his third Silver Slugger as an outfielder and was second in the AL in slugging (87 points behind McGwire). He was selected to the Associated Press Major League All-Star Team and The Sporting News AL All-Star squad at season's end. González was also named the Puerto Rico Pro Athlete of the Year by Associated Press and the DFW Metroplex Pro Athlete of the Year by the Dallas All Sports Association. He received the honorable selection of American League Player of the Month in July, leading the majors in batting (.407), homers (15), RBI (38), slugging (.917) and total bases (99). González was also the AL Player of the Week for July 29 – August 4. González had a pair of 21-game hitting streaks, June 25 – July 19 and August 8–31, matching the 3rd longest hitting streaks in team history with Mickey Rivers (1980) being the only other Ranger with 2 20-game hitting streaks in the same season. On July 30, González went 5–5 vs. New York, a career best and tied the club record for hits in a game. González was also chosen as a member of the Major League Baseball All-Star Team that traveled to Japan for an eight game exhibition series in November, batting .500 (10–20) with one homer and 3 RBI in 7 games.[8] That year, the Texas Rangers made the playoffs, and in the 1996 American League Division Series, González homered five times in four games and batted .438/.526/1.375 with 9 RBI. Texas ended up losing in four games to the New York Yankees. González tied Jeffrey Leonard's 1987 NLCS record by homering in four straight post-season games and joined Reggie Jackson and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to hit five home runs in a single post-season series.[3] González, however, accomplished this feet in less games (4) than Leonard, Jackson and Griffey Jr; all of whom needed at least 5 games to accomplish said feat. Combining the regular season and postseason, González hit .315 with 52 home runs, 153 RBIs, and .664 slugging percentage in 1996.

In 1997, González batted .296/.335/.589 as a DH-RF for the Rangers, winning his fourth Silver Slugger Award. In 133 games he was 4th in slugging, 6th in total bases (314), third in homers (42) and RBI (131), 10th in extra-base hits (69) and tied for 6th with 10 sacrifice flies. González missed the first month of the season and was not activated from the DL until May 2 due to a torn ligament in his left thumb. Despite the injury he still managed to earn American League Player of the Month honors in September (.337, 10 home runs, 26 RBI) and was the Rangers Player of the Month in both August and September. González was selected to Baseball America's American League All-Star Team.

In 1998, he reached the 100 RBI mark before the All-Star break (101), being the first player (and still most recent) to do so since Hank Greenberg 63 years earlier.[3] He hit cleanup for the AL in the 1998 All-Star Game and decisively won the AL MVP award. González was 10th in the 1998 AL in batting average, second in slugging, fourth in OPS, 6th in hits (193), 4th in total bases (382), first in doubles (50), tied for fourth in home runs (45), first in RBI (157) in 154 games, tied for 8th in OPS+ (149), second in extra-base hits (97), tied for third in sac flies (11), tied for sixth in intentional walks (9) and tied for third in double plays ground into (20). In April, he drove in 35 runs, a major league record for the month that still stands today. González produced the 5th season ever of at least 50 doubles and 40 home runs. González started 115 games in Right and 36 as the DH.

González became the 1st 5-time winner of the Rangers Player of the Year Award and was also named as the AL's Most Valuable Player by USA Today and USA Today Baseball Weekly. González was selected to major league all-star teams selected by the Associated Press (OF) and Baseball America (DH) and to the Sporting News AL all-star squad (OF). He was named as an outfielder on the AL Silver Slugger Award team for the 5th time in his career, his 3rd consecutive year. González shared Rangers Player of the Month honors with Iván Rodríguez in April and won the award outright in May. González also received the American League Player of the Week, for August 31 – September 6. He received 21 of 28 1st place mvp votes and 7 2nd place votes for 357 total points to defeat Boston's Nomar Garciaparra, who had 5 1st place votes and 232 points. González also became the 1st native of Latin America to ever win multiple MVP's since the award was instituted in 1931. This award also made him the 16th player to capture 2 MVP's in a 3-year span. The Rangers reached the playoffs, only to be swept by the Yankees. The Rangers offense was miserable in the Division Series, scoring just one run on a Pudge Rodriguez single after doubling to lead off the inning.

In 1999, González was 9th in the AL in average, 4th in slugging, 6th in OPS, 10th in runs (114), 6th in total bases (338), 6th in home runs (39), 5th in RBI (128), 7th in extra-base hits (76) and 2nd in sacrifice flies (12). However, he and the Rangers wound up being swept for the second consecutive year by the Yankees in the Division Series. González wasn't able to do much in the 3-game series, hitting .182/.250/.455 with one home run, but his solo bomb was the only run the Rangers scored in the series.

González announced just before the 1999 All-Star Game that if the fans did not elect him to the starting lineup, he would refuse an invitation to be added to the roster (as a result he was not invited). González believed that the system was flawed; he thought the managers and players should vote for the starters. A few weeks later González didn't dress for the Hall of Fame exhibition game because (according to the media) the uniform pants the Rangers brought for him were too large. González later had this to say about the incident "I couldn't play because my right wrist was sore. The pants they gave me were size 40. I wear 34. They were clown pants."[9]

Detroit Tigers (2000) edit

Following the 1999 season, with one year left on his contract, the slugger was traded by the Texas Rangers along with Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun in a blockbuster nine-player deal with the Detroit Tigers for Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson, and Alan Webb. He became the first two-time MVP to be traded since Dale Murphy was sent from Atlanta to Philadelphia in 1990. Detroit Tiger general manager Randy Smith was paying a high price for González by trading multiple young players, but he couldn't pass up on acquiring González, whom he referred to as "a two-time MVP and future Hall-of-Famer," even though González would more likely be a one-year rental (and was).

Gambling that they would be able to extend his contract past the 2000 season, the Tigers reportedly offered González an eight-year, $140 million contract soon after the deal was struck. González refused, which turned out to be the bigger gamble. He began the season badly, hobbled by foot pain and unable to adjust to the spacious dimensions of Detroit's new Comerica Park, where the left-center field fence stood nearly 400 feet from home plate (he did however hit the park's first home run on April 14). By mid-season he had announced that the Tigers would have to bring the fences in if they wanted to re-sign him as a free agent.

Detroit shopped González before the trading deadline, but a deal that would have sent him to the Yankees for outfielder Ricky Ledée and two minor leaguers was scuttled when the outfielder made it clear that he didn't want to play in New York. The Puerto Rico native stumbled through the rest of the season and saw his production dip to an all-time low (22 home runs, 67 RBI in 115 games). After missing the last weeks of the 2000 season, he was granted free agency on November 1.

Cleveland Indians (2001) edit

On January 9, 2001, he signed a one-year $10 million contract with the Cleveland Indians. González opened the season with a great start, batting .388 (40–103) with 9 homers and 32 RBIs in season's first 25 games through May 2. González completed the first half on a torrid pace. He was voted in as an All-Star starter and batted 5th in the 2001 All-Star Game. González hit .347 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI in 79 games in the first half.

He appeared to be on his way to easily capturing the RBI title, but an RBI drought at the end of the season (0 RBI in last 10 games) allowed Bret Boone to pass him by one. González hit over .300 in each of season's 1st 5 months before dropping to .299 for the month of September. His top months were .387 (36–93) in April and .356 (26–73) in July. González was hitting as high as .360 on June 5, then went 17–64 (.266) in next 17 contests, dropping to .338 through June 26. Had a .351 (73–208) mark in next 56 games and was at .344 overall, 2nd in the AL, through September 9. After this he hit just .130 (6–46) in final 13 games, going 3–34 (.088) in last 10 contests. González was hitless in his final 15 trips after his single on September 24. Despite his cold streak over the last week and a half of the season, he still finished with a .325/.370/.590 slash line and a 147 OPS+, close to his MVP seasons. He also won his sixth Silver Slugger and finished fifth in the MVP voting. His .325 average was one point shy of his career high (1999) and marked his 5th .300 season, his third in the last four years.

He was sixth in the 2001 AL in batting average, 5th in slugging, 6th in OPS, 9th in home runs (35), second in RBI (140, (in 140 games) one behind leader Bret Boone), 8th in OPS+, tied for third in double plays grounded into (18) and led the league with 16 sacrifice flies. González was also a 2nd team selection on Baseball America's Major League all-star squad and was named as the Indians player of the year by Baseball America. This proved to be the last season in which González averaged an RBI a game. Although González finished the regular season rather slowly, he showed up in a big way in the playoffs where he hit .348/.348/.739 for Cleveland in the Division Series with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 5 RBI in 5 games. Despite this Cleveland still fell in defeat.

González had a season best 15-game hitting streak from August 29 – September 19 at .345 (20–58) and hit safely in 10 straight games from April 17–27. González also had a 4 hit game April 11 at the Chicago White Sox. González batted .368 (43–117) vs. left-handers, 3rd best in the AL and had a .335 (53–158) mark with runners in scoring position, the 8th highest. As the DH, he hit .392 (31–79), this was the highest average in AL among players with 35 or more DH at bats, with 8 homers and 33 RBI in 21 games.

Through 11 full major league seasons (1991-2001), González had 392 homers and 1,263 RBI, an average of 36 homers and 115 RBI per year. His RBI total was the most in MLB in during that time frame by 40, despite having 1,000 fewer plate appearances than the player with the second-most RBIs for the time period, Jeff Bagwell (who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017).

Second stint with Texas Rangers (2002–2003) edit

On January 8, 2002, González made his return to Arlington by signing a two-year $24 million contract with the Texas Rangers. He hit .282/.324/.451 (94 OPS+) the first year in 70 games. On June 18, he participated in the first MLB game ever with four players with 400+ home runs to that point. Rafael Palmeiro and Fred McGriff joined Sosa and González in a game which Texas lost to the Chicago Cubs, 4–3. His first season back in Arlington he had a .358 (29–81) average versus Lefties and hit .328 (21–64) with runners in scoring position while posting a .307 mark(42–137) in Arlington. He hit just .171 (6–35) with 2 homers and 4 RBI as the DH. He had Texas' only hit, a leadoff double in the 8th, off Cory Lidle on July 19 at Oakland.

In 2003, González started the first few weeks rather slowly. He had a .230 average with 4 homers and 8 RBI in his first 18 games through April 20. He quickly picked it up though and went on a .349 (29–83) tear with 9 homers and 24 RBI in his next 21 games, improving to .293 by May 5. As of May 7, González was tied for the Major League Lead in home runs with 12. He followed that up by going just 8-for-39 (.205) in his next 9 games, falling to .276 through May 25. He started a hot streak yet again though by hitting .321 (42–131) with 10 homers and 36 RBI in the next 34 games. But his season was cut short by a tear in his calf muscle on July 19. At the time, González was hitting .294 and ranked 3rd in home runs (24) 4th in slugging percentage (.572) and 7th in RBI (70) in the AL. González was on pace to recapture his 2001 Indians form, but the tear lingered and the injury proved to be the end of his season.

González hit 2 homers in a game 4 times: April 5 vs. Seattle; April 29 and May 1 at Toronto and July 10 against Minnesota. His 47 career multi-homer games are 12th most all-time. He also hammered 5 homers in 3 games, April 29 – May 1 at Toronto, the 4th time in Rangers history that feat had been accomplished. He had a season best 5 RBI on April 29 at Toronto and drove in 4 runs in a game on 3 occasions. González had 18 RBI in a 9-game span, April 22 – May 1, including 10 in 3-game series at Toronto, April 29 – May 1. He was selected as AL co-player of the week for April 28 – May 4. He also had a season high 9-game hitting streak, June 3–17.

He started 57 games in right field and 24 games as the designated hitter. He did not make an error in 108 total chances in the outfield and was tied for 6th in the league in outfield assists (10), despite his short season. He ranked 5th on the club in home runs (24), and completed his 11th season with 20 or more home runs. The Rangers, however, were preparing for a youth movement and on October 26, 2003, he was granted free agency.

Kansas City Royals (2004) edit

On January 6, 2004, González was signed by the Kansas City Royals to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with an option for the next season.[10] However, his back worsened in the middle of May and his season came to an end after May 21. He ended up hitting .276/.326/.441 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 33 games.[11] The Royals declined to renew his option, making him a free agent.[12]

Second stint with Cleveland Indians (2005) edit

He was signed by the Cleveland Indians for the 2005 season, and was activated in May. Despite a thorough workout regimen, González suffered a major hamstring injury (he tore his right medial hamstring totally off the bone at the knee joint) in his first plate appearance of the season while running out a grounder. This put him out for the season after just one at-bat.

González signed on with the independent Atlantic League in 2006, playing for the Long Island Ducks. He hit .323/.377/.515 in 36 games, with 6 home runs and 23 RBI. His time was again limited by injuries.

The St. Louis Cardinals invited González to spring training prior to the 2008 season.[13] He was one of 26 non-roster invitees, participating in full roster workouts that began on February 19, 2008.[14] He hit .308 with a .462 slugging percentage in spring training with 1 home run, 1 double and 5 RBI in 9 games. However, he was put on the inactive list with an abdominal strain and he returned to Puerto Rico with an invitation to rejoin the Cardinals once he was healthy. González decided to stay in Puerto Rico, and did not rejoin the Cardinals.[15]

In June 2013, González was invited to become a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. He declined the invitation at the time, saying, "I closed the Texas Rangers chapter in my life a long time ago."[16][17] A couple years later, though, he accepted the invitation and was inducted on July 11, 2015. González is the Rangers' all-time leader with 372 home runs, 1,180 RBIs and a .565 slugging percentage. His 157 RBIs in 1998 and .643 slugging percentage in 1996 are also club records. González ranks in the top 5 in club history in almost every other major offensive category.[18]

Career statistics edit

Games PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG FLD%
1689 7155 6556 1061 1936 388 25 434 1404 457 1273 .295 .343 .561 .983

In four American League Division Series covering 15 games, González hit .290 (18-for-62) scoring 11 runs, with 8 home runs and 15 RBI.

Career in Puerto Rico edit

In the 1989–1990 Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, González hit .269/~.345/.500 for the Criollos de Caguas and hit 9 home runs, one less than former league leader Greg Vaughn.

During the 1992–1993 season, he batted .333 for the Santurce Crabbers and won the league MVP award despite not playing until after the All-Star break. He hit 7 home runs and led the league despite playing in only 66 games. González did not accompany Santurce to the 1993 Caribbean Series. The next season, he ended up hitting .268 with 7 homers, 3 behind Phil Hiatt.

In 1995, González joined the San Juan Senators for the 1995 Caribbean Series and hit .375 with 6 RBI as the Puerto Rican "Dream Team" won the title. González hit 5th, between Carlos Delgado and Rubén Sierra on a team that also boasted Roberto Alomar, Bernie Williams, Carlos Baerga and Edgar Martínez. San Juan outscored their opponents 49–15.

During the 2006–2007 Puerto Rican League, in 33 games playing for the champion Carolina Giants, González hit .281 with 18 RBIs and 4 homers. In 12 playoff games, he batted .369 with 3 home runs and 5 RBIs. González claims he is healthy and no longer feels pain in his legs. He was 10 for 26 (.385) in the 2007 Caribbean Series and made the All-Star team at DH.

Presently, he is the owner of the baseball team in his hometown, Vega Baja, in the Confederative Baseball League in Puerto Rico, where he also plays as a DH. Aside from baseball, he focuses on helping the community, with the condition that no attention from the media occurs when he becomes involved in a cause, stating "What value does it have to help someone and then publicizing it in newspapers? That is not giving. I help, but I ask them to please not say anything."[19]

For the 2015-2016 season, González served as coach of the Double A Vega Baja team, the Caimanes del Melao Melao. However, after a 3-11 record, he was fired.[20]

Steroid allegations edit

González was one of several players whom Jose Canseco claimed to have introduced to steroids. Canseco made these allegations in his best-seller, Juiced, but without citing any corroborating evidence.[21] González was also briefly mentioned in the Mitchell Report regarding a 2001 incident in which an unmarked bag in the Indians' team luggage was detained by customs in Toronto, Canada. González's assistant stated that the bag belonged to Angel Presinal, a prominent personal trainer for a number of professional players, but Presinal claimed that the bag belonged to González. It was also disputed whether or not the bag actually contained steroids. Although Presinal claimed the bag was not his, he said that he was aware of its contents and that they were not, in fact, steroids. He stated that the bag contained Soladek (a painkiller), Dolo-neurobion (a vitamin B complex used in fighting the flu), and Clenbuterol (a stimulant similar to ephedrine, which is believed by some to promote muscle tone and weight loss). González immediately cut ties with the trainer following the incident. In 2007, ESPN published an article about Presinal on its website, describing him as "fitness guru, massage therapist and personal trainer to baseball's Latino elite." In the same article, ESPN asked John Hart, the Indians' former general manager, about the 2001 incident involving Presinal. Hart said that the team looked into the matter and ultimately exonerated Gonzalez.[22]

In 2007, Rangers' owner Tom Hicks speculated that González had used steroids, saying in an interview that the team had acquired "Juan González for $24 million after he came off steroids, probably, we just gave that money away."[17] Hicks later acknowledged that his statement was not based on personal knowledge, only a suspicion that steroids were the cause of injuries: "The way his body broke down at a young age and his early retirement makes me suspicious."[17] Luis Mayoral, a former Ranger employee and good friend of González, reasoned that Hicks' comments were why González declined his first invitation to join the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2013.[17] Instead, he was inducted in 2015.

Like his former teammate, hall-of-famer Iván Rodríguez, who was also accused of steroid use, González has consistently stated over the years that he has never taken steroids, and is, in fact, a vegetarian.[23] "I have nothing to hide," said González. "Nothing. And I offered to be tested, whenever they wanted. If you have nothing to hide, there is nothing to worry [about]," González said.[24] In Rodriguez's case, similar unproven allegations from baseball's "steroid era" did not prevent him from being elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.[25]

Personal life edit

González has been married four times. He was married to Puerto Rican volleyball player Elaine López, sister of fellow major leaguer Javy López, during the early 1990s. This marriage broke down when a local newspaper released a cover photo of singer Olga Tañón kissing González during a concert in San Juan. A scandal followed, with González divorcing Elaine López and marrying Tañón, who said she had no idea González was married to Lopez when she kissed him. González and Tañon had a daughter together, Gabriela González Tañón, in 1996. They got married on December 1999. González and Tañon divorced less than two years later. His daughter later became one of only 50 people in the world (and the first Puerto Rican) ever to have been diagnosed with Sebastian syndrome, a mild blood clotting disorder.

González has a friendship with George W. Bush which began when González debuted with the Texas Rangers who at the time were owned by Bush.[26][27] [28] González stated that "a friendship that goes beyond baseball was created between them" and during his time in office Bush invited González to the White House twice.[29] The first of reunions took place on April 16, 2001 and the second on December 3, 2007; in this reunion he was accompanied by historian Luis Rodriguez Mayoral.[30] The discussion lasted 35 minutes and involved González's future in the Major Leagues and other baseball related topics, as well as the happenings of their respective careers.[29] During this visit to Washington, D.C. González was also involved in a meeting with Rudy Giuliani and a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in order to visit Puerto Rican soldiers that were injured in the Iraq War.[31]

After a history of personal setbacks, González stated in a 2007 interview that his personal life was now in order. "I'd rather have health and my family, my relationship with God than money," he said. "How many people who can buy whatever they want have committed suicide? God is first, then your kids, your family, good health."[23]

Success as manager of Puerto Rico national team edit

After serving as a coach in 2017, González was named manager and head coach of the Puerto Rico national baseball team in 2018, leading the team to gold medals in both 2018 and 2019.[32]

González made his debut as manager at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games (CACG).[33] Unable to request athletes contracted to MLB (or active in MiLB), González assembled a team consisting of players active in foreign independent leagues, the local Double A amateur league, and veteran free agents with previous professional experience, making the final cut following a preparatory tournament.[34] González made his official debut as manager in a 5-3 victory over Venezuela.[35] In its next outing, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 8-1 to snap Cuba's 36-year (43-game) winning streak at the CACG.[36] This was followed by wins over the Dominican Republic (4-1) and Mexico (7-1).[37] González closed his first participation as manager by leading Puerto Rico to the CACG gold medal, defeating second-place Colombia 2-1.[38]

In 2019, González found continued success by guiding Puerto Rico to win gold at the 2019 Lima Pan American Games, going undefeated and besting Canada 6-1 in the final. This was Puerto Rico's first-ever gold medal in baseball in the history of the Pan American Games.[39]

Also in 2019, the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation announced that González would be the manager of the Puerto Rican National Team in November’s WBSC Premier12, the biggest international baseball event of the year, in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.[40]

Accomplishments edit

  • 2-time American League MVP (1996, 1998)
  • 5-time Top-10 MVP (4th, 1993; 1st, 1996; 9th, 1997; 1st, 1998; 5th, 2001)
  • 3-time All-Star (1993, 1998, 2001)
  • 5 40+ HR Seasons (1992, 43; 1993, 46; 1996, 47; 1997, 42; 1998, 45) and 1 39-HR Season (1999)
  • His .561 slugging percentage ranks 15th on the all-time list
  • His 434 career home runs rank 47th on the all-time list
  • Ranks 4th all-time in plate appearances/HR with 16.49 (No. 1 Mark McGwire – 13.14, No. 2 Babe Ruth – 14.87, No. 3 Sammy Sosa – 16.25)
  • Ranks 5th all-time in HR/162 games with 42
  • Ranks 5th all-time in TB/162 games with 353
  • Ranks 6th all-time in RBI/162 games with 135
  • Ranks 6th all-time in XBH/162 games with 81
  • Ranks 12th all-time in career multi-homer games
  • Ranks 15th all-time in AB per HR with 15.1 AB/HR
  • 6 Silver Slugger awards (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001)
  • 2-time American League Home Run Champion (1992, 1993)
  • Finished Top 5 in RBI 6 times (1993, 4th, 118; 1996, 2nd, 144; 1997, 3rd, 131; 1998, 1st, 157; 1999, 5th, 128; 2001, 2nd, 140)
  • Finished Top 5 in slugging percentage 7 times (1992, 5th, .561; 1993, 1st, .632; 1996, 2nd, .643; 1997, 4th, .589; 1998, 2nd, .630; 1999, 4th, .601; 2001, 5th, .590)
  • Became just the second player in major league history to have at least 100 RBI before the All-Star break (101 in 1998, second to Hank Greenberg who had 103)
  • Holds all-time record for RBI in the month of April (35 in 1998)
  • One of only six players after 1950 with over 150 RBI in a single season
  • Hit his 300th home run in the fewest games in American League history (1,096)
  • 9th Youngest ever to hit 300 Career HR (28 years, 334 days)
  • Tied for 1st in postseason history for HR in a single division series with Ken Griffey Jr., but in fewer games (Gonzalez – 5 HR in 4 games in 1996, Griffey – 5 HR in 5 games in 1995)
  • Tied for 2nd in most HR in a single playoff series with 5 HR in just 4 games in 1996. (Reggie Jackson 1977, 5 HR in 6 Games; Chase Utley 2009, 5 HR in 6 Games; Ken Griffey Jr. 1995, 5 HR in 5 Games; Nelson Cruz 2011, 6 HR in 6 games)
  • Ranks 2nd in postseason history in slugging percentage in a single playoff series (1.375 in 1996)[41]
  • Ranks 2nd in postseason history in OPS in a single Division Series (1.901 in 1996)
  • Ranks 5th in postseason history in OPS in a single playoff series among qualified leaders (1.901 in 1996)
  • Tied for 2nd with 10 other players in extra base hits in a single Division Series (5 in 1996 & 2001)
  • Ranks 3rd in postseason history in total bases in a single Division Series (22 in 1996)
  • Ranks 7th in postseason history in RBI in a single Division Series (9 in 1996)
  • Tied for 2nd in postseason history in career HR in the Division Series (8 HR)
  • Ranks 4th in postseason history in career slugging percentage in the Division Series (.742)
  • Ranks 7th in postseason history in career extra base hits in the Division Series (12)
  • Ranks 8th in postseason history in career OPS in the Division Series (1.075)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Durrett, Richard (July 7, 2011). "'Juan Gone' lived up to his nickname". ESPN Dallas. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  2. ^ Berríos, Alfredo (May 7, 2010). "Former Texas Ranger slugger Juan Gonzalez eases into new baseball life in his native Puerto Rico". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Juan Gonzalez". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  4. ^ Chass, Murray (June 27, 2000). "ON BASEBALL; Yankee Scout Reveals The Error of His Ways". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Juan Gonzalez Has Hit a Happy Beat in Life". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Sins, Ken. "A Rising Star". Texas Rangers' Souvenir Program. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "Baseball Awards Voting for 1996". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  8. ^ Juan Gonzalez Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MLB.com: Team. Mlb.mlb.com (January 1, 2011). Retrieved on November 13, 2011.
  9. ^ "Courting Disaster". SI. May 29, 2000.
  10. ^ "Royals sign Juan Gonzalez". CBC. January 6, 2004. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "Juan Gonzalez 2004 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  12. ^ "Juan González Statistics and History". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  13. ^ "Juan Not Gone: Former star Juan Gonzalez to attempt comeback with Cardinals". Slam! Sports. Associated Press. February 4, 2008. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ . Sports Illustrated. February 4, 2008. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2008. {{cite magazine}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  15. ^ Juan Gonzalez Is Gone-zo From Cardinals' Camp but May Be Back. Mlb.fanhouse.com (March 27, 2008). Retrieved on November 13, 2011.
  16. ^ Grant, Evan (June 7, 2013). . Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers Blog. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d "Horn: Taking a Hall pass, former Ranger Juan Gonzalez would rather be left alone". Dallas Morning News. July 19, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  18. ^ Sullivan, T.R. "Gonzalez, Russell going into Rangers Hall of Fame". Texas Rangers. mlb.com. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  19. ^ Berríos, Alfredo (May 4, 2010). "'Igor' refocuses role in Puerto Rico". ESPNDeportes.com. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  20. ^ "Vega Baja despide a Igor González". Primera Hora. April 13, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "J. Gonzalez denies allegations regarding performance-enhancing drugs". KFFL. February 19, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  22. ^ Fish, Mike (February 14, 2007). "Presinal's past makes MLB wary about his present". ESPN.
  23. ^ a b Ortiz, Jorge L. (February 8, 2007). "Juan 'Gone' for good?". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  24. ^ Berrios, Alfredo (April 13, 2010). "Gonzalez on PEDs: Never used them". ESPNDeportes.com. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  25. ^ Kepner, Tyler (July 22, 2017). "Ivan Rodriguez Hit His Target: First-Ballot Hall of Famer". New York Times.
  26. ^ Bush only owned a small percentage of the Rangers as part of a large group of collective owners
  27. ^ Notes On A Native SonHarper's Magazine, Feb, 2000 by Joe Concson, Kevin P. Phillipscite book
  28. ^ Omar Marrero (December 5, 2007), Amistad más allá del béisbol (in Spanish), Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Dia, La amistad de Bush con González y Rodríguez Mayoral se remonta a finales de la década de 1980 cuando Bush era uno de los dueños de los Rangers de Texas, equipo en el que debutó y se hizo estrella el jugador boricua.
  29. ^ a b Omar Marrero (December 5, 2007). Amistad más allá del béisbol (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Dia. La reunión a puertas cerradas entre Bush, González y el historiador Luis Rodríguez Mayoral, se extendió durante unos 35 minutos por invitación del presidente. "Fue una experiencia que muy pocos pueden tener. La amistad que hemos creado va más allá del béisbol", manifestó González a The Associated Press, en una entrevista telefónica desde Washington, Distrito de Columbia. "Hablamos mucho de béisbol, de mi futuro en las Grandes Ligas y de Puerto Rico", reveló el pelotero.
  30. ^ Omar Marrero (December 5, 2007). Amistad más allá del béisbol (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Dia. De acuerdo con Rodríguez Mayoral, es la segunda vez que él y González se reúnen con Bush en la Casa Blanca. La primera ocasión, recordó, fue el día 16 de abril del 2001.
  31. ^ Omar Marrero (December 5, 2007). Amistad más allá del béisbol (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Dia. El itinerario del toletero puertorriqueño en la capital estadounidense incluye una reunión el martes con el precandidato republicano a la presidencia, Rudolph Giuliani, y una visita el jueves al hospital militar Walter Reed, donde compartirá con soldados puertorriqueños que han sido heridos en combate.
  32. ^ "2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico's skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019". August 19, 2019.
  33. ^ Pillot Ortiz, Victor (February 27, 2018). "Igor González dirigirá al Equipo Nacional de béisbol en Barranquilla". El Nuevo Día.
  34. ^ Ribas Reyes, Fernando (June 25, 2018). "Juan "Igor" González ya tiene al cuadro titular para Barranquilla". El Nuevo Día.
  35. ^ "Puerto Rico vence a Venezuela y Cuba sufre pero le gana a Panamá en béisbol". El Siglo. July 22, 2018.
  36. ^ "Puerto Rico vence a Cuba, que pierde un invicto de 36 años en el béisbol de los Centroamericanos". El Economista. July 23, 2018.
  37. ^ "Puerto Rico vence a Dominicana y sigue imparable en el béisbol". Hoy digital. July 23, 2018.
  38. ^ Ribas Reyes, Fernando (July 26, 2018). "Selección de béisbol asegura la medalla de oro al vencer a Colombia". El Nuevo Día.
  39. ^ "2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico's skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019". August 19, 2019.
  40. ^ "2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico's skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019". August 19, 2019.
  41. ^ Reference, Baseball. "Playoffs Batting". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 29, 2011.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs

January 01, 1970
juan, gonzález, baseball, this, article, about, puerto, rican, baseball, player, other, uses, juan, gonzález, disambiguation, this, biography, living, person, needs, additional, citations, verification, reason, given, several, sections, lack, sourcing, please,. This article is about the Puerto Rican baseball player For other uses see Juan Gonzalez disambiguation This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification The reason given is several sections lack sourcing Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page especially if potentially libelous Find sources Juan Gonzalez baseball news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Gonzalez and the second or maternal family name is Vazquez Juan Alberto Gonzalez Vazquez born October 20 1969 is a Puerto Rican former baseball outfielder He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball MLB for four teams but is most identified with the Texas Rangers for whom he played from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2003 One of the premier run producers and most feared hitters of the 1990s and early 2000s Gonzalez hit over 40 home runs five times and amassed at least 100 runs batted in RBI eight times He also had a batting average of 310 or higher in five seasons Juan GonzalezOutfielderBorn 1969 10 20 October 20 1969 age 54 Vega Baja Puerto RicoBatted RightThrew RightMLB debutSeptember 1 1989 for the Texas RangersLast MLB appearanceMay 31 2005 for the Cleveland IndiansMLB statisticsBatting average 295Home runs434Runs batted in1 404TeamsTexas Rangers 1989 1999 Detroit Tigers 2000 Cleveland Indians 2001 Texas Rangers 2002 2003 Kansas City Royals 2004 Cleveland Indians 2005 Career highlights and awards3 All Star 1993 1998 2001 2 AL MVP 1996 1998 6 Silver Slugger Award 1992 1993 1996 1998 2001 2 AL home run leader 1992 1993 AL RBI leader 1998 Texas Rangers Hall of FameMedals Men s baseball Coach for Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2017 Los Angeles National team Manager for Puerto Rico Central American and Caribbean Games 2018 Barranquilla National team Pan American Games 2019 Lima National team In his career as a whole Gonzalez averaged 42 home runs 135 RBI 81 extra base hits and 353 total bases per 162 games placing him well within the top ten all time in these season adjusted statistics Gonzalez was known as a line drive hitter not a fly ball home run hitter as were many power hitters of the 1990s 1 He was a full time player at the age of 21 and a two time Most Valuable Player before his 30th birthday 2 Gonzalez explained his propensity for bringing runners home by saying I concentrate more when I see men on base Contents 1 Early life 2 Professional career 2 1 Minors 2 2 Texas Rangers 1989 1999 2 3 Detroit Tigers 2000 2 4 Cleveland Indians 2001 2 5 Second stint with Texas Rangers 2002 2003 2 6 Kansas City Royals 2004 2 7 Second stint with Cleveland Indians 2005 2 8 Career statistics 3 Career in Puerto Rico 4 Steroid allegations 5 Personal life 6 Success as manager of Puerto Rico national team 7 Accomplishments 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksEarly life editGonzalez grew up in a rough area of Puerto Rico where as a young boy he learned to hit bottlecaps and corks with a broomstick handle in the Alto de Cuba barrio citation needed In the Puerto Rico youth league Gonzalez batted cleanup behind future Yankee center fielder Bernie Williams where both competed against Gonzalez s future teammate Ivan Rodriguez 3 When the Yankees scouted the teenage Williams he requested that they also bring his friend Gonzalez to their scouting camp on the east coast however due to a lack of funding Gonzalez would remain in Puerto Rico 4 Professional career editMinors edit The Texas Rangers signed Gonzalez as an amateur free agent on May 30 1986 at the age of 16 Gonzalez has always wanted to serve as a role model for the kids of Puerto Rico as they are faced with the downfalls of drugs and prostitution frequently Gonzalez avoided such temptations growing up His father a math teacher and mother a housewife made sure Gonzalez and his two sisters behaved properly and stayed away from negative influences Gonzalez moved his family out of the barrio early in his MLB career He paid utility bills for down on their luck friends and plans on working to construct recreation facilities and a baseball diamond in his home town One of Juan s managers Johnny Oates believed that until you ve walked where Juan Gonzalez has walked you just won t understand Speaking from experience as Oates has walked the streets of Vega Baja Puerto Rico during visits multiple times he had this to say I don t think you can appreciate how far he s come until you ve been there Oates said We might be making choices between going to the movies or going to the skating rink But look at the choices the kids there were faced with growing up do you want to do drugs or get beaten up I think it says so much about him that he was able to rise above the peer pressure in Vega Baja He had enough intelligence to say I don t want to do that 5 In Puerto Rico he is known as Igor the nickname he has carried since he was a nine year old fascinated by the professional wrestler Igor the Magnificent I watched wrestling all the time and I still like it Gonzalez said One day when I was nine I told another guy I m Igor And he said Okay your name is Igor from now on And I ve been Igor since then 6 Gonzalez debuted with the 1986 GCL Rangers and finished with 240 batting average 303 on base percentage and a 266 slugging percentage in 60 games He only had five extra base hits none of them home runs in 233 AB and struck out 57 times He tied Harvey Pulliam by grounding into a Gulf Coast League leading 9 double plays In 1987 Gonzalez showed some improvement with the Gastonia Rangers though Mark Whiten and Junior Felix were deemed better outfield prospects in the South Atlantic League In ratings by Baseball America Gonzalez tied Ryan Bowen for 10th place on the prospect listing He finished with 265 batting average 306 on base percentage and 401 slugging percentage with 14 home runs and 74 RBI Gonzalez spent 1988 with the Charlotte Rangers and batted 256 327 415 with 8 home runs in 277 AB One of his outfield teammates that year was Sammy Sosa The next year he showed more improvement with the Tulsa Drillers hitting 293 322 506 with 21 home runs and led the Texas League with 254 total bases He outhomered Sosa by 14 and was third in the League in home runs behind teammate Dean Palmer 25 and Chris Cron 22 Gonzalez was rated the league s No 4 prospect by Baseball America behind Ray Lankford Andy Benes and Jose Offerman Lankford and Warren Newson joined him in the TL All Star outfield Texas Rangers 1989 1999 edit Gonzalez was called up by the Texas Rangers in September of that year but only hit 150 227 250 During his time with the Rangers that year Gonzalez only hit one home run He became the youngest player in Rangers history 19 yrs old to hit a home run In 1990 Gonzalez playing with the Oklahoma City 89ers led the American Association in home runs 29 RBI 101 and total bases 252 He made the AAA All Star outfield alongside Lankford and Bernard Gilkey and was named the league MVP Baseball America named him the top prospect in the league in a poll of managers He finished with 258 343 508 for the 89ers In the AAA All Star Game Gonzalez hit 4th for the AL prospects and played as a designated hitter He went 2 for 5 with a double one of the game s two homers two runs and two RBI in the AL s 8 5 loss Gonzalez was again called up by the Rangers and did far better this time batting 289 316 522 In 1991 Texas gave Gonzalez a chance to be an everyday player He batted 264 while hitting 27 home runs and recording 102 runs batted in RBIs Gonzalez came up as a center fielder as did teammate Sammy Sosa but the Rangers opted to keep Gonzalez and trade Sosa Gonzalez split his time in the OF between CF 93 games and LF 92 games Gonzalez thrilled the club in his first full season at the young age of 21 as his 27 home runs led the Rangers His 102 RBI was good enough for 2nd on the club and 7th in the AL In 1992 Gonzalez finished with a 260 batting average 43 home runs and 109 RBIs He spent most of his time in CF in 92 playing 123 games there 31 in LF and making just one appearance in RF while DH ing 4 games He was the American League home run champion one more than Mark McGwire while also ranking 3rd in TB 309 4th in extra base hits 69 5th in slugging percentage 529 7th in RBIs 109 while winning his first Silver Slugger Award Winning the home run crown at the age of 22 made him the youngest player to lead the majors since Johnny Bench in 1970 In 1993 Gonzalez broke through to true stardom He led the AL for the second consecutive year with 46 bombs while raising his batting average an impressive 50 points to 310 all this to go along with a league leading slugging percentage of 632 That production garnered Gonzalez an invite to his first All Star team During the 1993 All Star Weekend he participated in the only Home Run Derby of his career Gonzalez and Ken Griffey Jr put on an amazing display of raw power as they each golfed 7 homers a piece Gonzalez however wowed the national audience even more becoming the first player to hit a homer into the facade of the upper deck in left field estimated 473 feet at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the green wall behind the center field fence estimated 455 feet 1 Gonzalez then defeated Griffey in a winner take all playoff for the individual Home Run Derby title 5 4 When asked about the title Gonzalez responded It was very exciting to surprise everybody I never thought in my mind that I d win the Home Run Derby I even surprised myself 6 He also finished fourth in voting for the 1993 AL MVP and earned his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award In 1994 the Rangers moved from Arlington Stadium to The Ballpark in Arlington Gonzalez batted 19 home runs in 1994 during the strike shortened season but belted 27 home runs in 1995 in just 90 games From 1995 98 Gonzalez was an RBI machine averaging more than an RBI per game 514 RBI 511 games This made him the first player since World War II to drive in a run per game for any four year period He won two MVP awards in this stretch 1996 and 1998 The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract listed him as the player who had the highest ratio of slugging percentage to on base percentage in baseball history at that time ahead of Dave Kingman and Tony Armas and 4th in RBI per game by an outfielder behind Sam Thompson Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth James also ranked Gonzalez as the 52nd best right fielder in baseball history as of mid 2000 In 1996 Gonzalez had one of his best seasons hitting 314 with a 643 slugging percentage He edged Alex Rodriguez by one first place vote 11 10 and 3 award points 290 287 in a very close vote to win the American League MVP 7 He won his third Silver Slugger as an outfielder and was second in the AL in slugging 87 points behind McGwire He was selected to the Associated Press Major League All Star Team and The Sporting News AL All Star squad at season s end Gonzalez was also named the Puerto Rico Pro Athlete of the Year by Associated Press and the DFW Metroplex Pro Athlete of the Year by the Dallas All Sports Association He received the honorable selection of American League Player of the Month in July leading the majors in batting 407 homers 15 RBI 38 slugging 917 and total bases 99 Gonzalez was also the AL Player of the Week for July 29 August 4 Gonzalez had a pair of 21 game hitting streaks June 25 July 19 and August 8 31 matching the 3rd longest hitting streaks in team history with Mickey Rivers 1980 being the only other Ranger with 2 20 game hitting streaks in the same season On July 30 Gonzalez went 5 5 vs New York a career best and tied the club record for hits in a game Gonzalez was also chosen as a member of the Major League Baseball All Star Team that traveled to Japan for an eight game exhibition series in November batting 500 10 20 with one homer and 3 RBI in 7 games 8 That year the Texas Rangers made the playoffs and in the 1996 American League Division Series Gonzalez homered five times in four games and batted 438 526 1 375 with 9 RBI Texas ended up losing in four games to the New York Yankees Gonzalez tied Jeffrey Leonard s 1987 NLCS record by homering in four straight post season games and joined Reggie Jackson and Ken Griffey Jr as the only players to hit five home runs in a single post season series 3 Gonzalez however accomplished this feet in less games 4 than Leonard Jackson and Griffey Jr all of whom needed at least 5 games to accomplish said feat Combining the regular season and postseason Gonzalez hit 315 with 52 home runs 153 RBIs and 664 slugging percentage in 1996 In 1997 Gonzalez batted 296 335 589 as a DH RF for the Rangers winning his fourth Silver Slugger Award In 133 games he was 4th in slugging 6th in total bases 314 third in homers 42 and RBI 131 10th in extra base hits 69 and tied for 6th with 10 sacrifice flies Gonzalez missed the first month of the season and was not activated from the DL until May 2 due to a torn ligament in his left thumb Despite the injury he still managed to earn American League Player of the Month honors in September 337 10 home runs 26 RBI and was the Rangers Player of the Month in both August and September Gonzalez was selected to Baseball America s American League All Star Team In 1998 he reached the 100 RBI mark before the All Star break 101 being the first player and still most recent to do so since Hank Greenberg 63 years earlier 3 He hit cleanup for the AL in the 1998 All Star Game and decisively won the AL MVP award Gonzalez was 10th in the 1998 AL in batting average second in slugging fourth in OPS 6th in hits 193 4th in total bases 382 first in doubles 50 tied for fourth in home runs 45 first in RBI 157 in 154 games tied for 8th in OPS 149 second in extra base hits 97 tied for third in sac flies 11 tied for sixth in intentional walks 9 and tied for third in double plays ground into 20 In April he drove in 35 runs a major league record for the month that still stands today Gonzalez produced the 5th season ever of at least 50 doubles and 40 home runs Gonzalez started 115 games in Right and 36 as the DH Gonzalez became the 1st 5 time winner of the Rangers Player of the Year Award and was also named as the AL s Most Valuable Player by USA Today and USA Today Baseball Weekly Gonzalez was selected to major league all star teams selected by the Associated Press OF and Baseball America DH and to the Sporting News AL all star squad OF He was named as an outfielder on the AL Silver Slugger Award team for the 5th time in his career his 3rd consecutive year Gonzalez shared Rangers Player of the Month honors with Ivan Rodriguez in April and won the award outright in May Gonzalez also received the American League Player of the Week for August 31 September 6 He received 21 of 28 1st place mvp votes and 7 2nd place votes for 357 total points to defeat Boston s Nomar Garciaparra who had 5 1st place votes and 232 points Gonzalez also became the 1st native of Latin America to ever win multiple MVP s since the award was instituted in 1931 This award also made him the 16th player to capture 2 MVP s in a 3 year span The Rangers reached the playoffs only to be swept by the Yankees The Rangers offense was miserable in the Division Series scoring just one run on a Pudge Rodriguez single after doubling to lead off the inning In 1999 Gonzalez was 9th in the AL in average 4th in slugging 6th in OPS 10th in runs 114 6th in total bases 338 6th in home runs 39 5th in RBI 128 7th in extra base hits 76 and 2nd in sacrifice flies 12 However he and the Rangers wound up being swept for the second consecutive year by the Yankees in the Division Series Gonzalez wasn t able to do much in the 3 game series hitting 182 250 455 with one home run but his solo bomb was the only run the Rangers scored in the series Gonzalez announced just before the 1999 All Star Game that if the fans did not elect him to the starting lineup he would refuse an invitation to be added to the roster as a result he was not invited Gonzalez believed that the system was flawed he thought the managers and players should vote for the starters A few weeks later Gonzalez didn t dress for the Hall of Fame exhibition game because according to the media the uniform pants the Rangers brought for him were too large Gonzalez later had this to say about the incident I couldn t play because my right wrist was sore The pants they gave me were size 40 I wear 34 They were clown pants 9 Detroit Tigers 2000 edit Following the 1999 season with one year left on his contract the slugger was traded by the Texas Rangers along with Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun in a blockbuster nine player deal with the Detroit Tigers for Frank Catalanotto Francisco Cordero Bill Haselman Gabe Kapler Justin Thompson and Alan Webb He became the first two time MVP to be traded since Dale Murphy was sent from Atlanta to Philadelphia in 1990 Detroit Tiger general manager Randy Smith was paying a high price for Gonzalez by trading multiple young players but he couldn t pass up on acquiring Gonzalez whom he referred to as a two time MVP and future Hall of Famer even though Gonzalez would more likely be a one year rental and was Gambling that they would be able to extend his contract past the 2000 season the Tigers reportedly offered Gonzalez an eight year 140 million contract soon after the deal was struck Gonzalez refused which turned out to be the bigger gamble He began the season badly hobbled by foot pain and unable to adjust to the spacious dimensions of Detroit s new Comerica Park where the left center field fence stood nearly 400 feet from home plate he did however hit the park s first home run on April 14 By mid season he had announced that the Tigers would have to bring the fences in if they wanted to re sign him as a free agent Detroit shopped Gonzalez before the trading deadline but a deal that would have sent him to the Yankees for outfielder Ricky Ledee and two minor leaguers was scuttled when the outfielder made it clear that he didn t want to play in New York The Puerto Rico native stumbled through the rest of the season and saw his production dip to an all time low 22 home runs 67 RBI in 115 games After missing the last weeks of the 2000 season he was granted free agency on November 1 Cleveland Indians 2001 edit On January 9 2001 he signed a one year 10 million contract with the Cleveland Indians Gonzalez opened the season with a great start batting 388 40 103 with 9 homers and 32 RBIs in season s first 25 games through May 2 Gonzalez completed the first half on a torrid pace He was voted in as an All Star starter and batted 5th in the 2001 All Star Game Gonzalez hit 347 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI in 79 games in the first half He appeared to be on his way to easily capturing the RBI title but an RBI drought at the end of the season 0 RBI in last 10 games allowed Bret Boone to pass him by one Gonzalez hit over 300 in each of season s 1st 5 months before dropping to 299 for the month of September His top months were 387 36 93 in April and 356 26 73 in July Gonzalez was hitting as high as 360 on June 5 then went 17 64 266 in next 17 contests dropping to 338 through June 26 Had a 351 73 208 mark in next 56 games and was at 344 overall 2nd in the AL through September 9 After this he hit just 130 6 46 in final 13 games going 3 34 088 in last 10 contests Gonzalez was hitless in his final 15 trips after his single on September 24 Despite his cold streak over the last week and a half of the season he still finished with a 325 370 590 slash line and a 147 OPS close to his MVP seasons He also won his sixth Silver Slugger and finished fifth in the MVP voting His 325 average was one point shy of his career high 1999 and marked his 5th 300 season his third in the last four years He was sixth in the 2001 AL in batting average 5th in slugging 6th in OPS 9th in home runs 35 second in RBI 140 in 140 games one behind leader Bret Boone 8th in OPS tied for third in double plays grounded into 18 and led the league with 16 sacrifice flies Gonzalez was also a 2nd team selection on Baseball America s Major League all star squad and was named as the Indians player of the year by Baseball America This proved to be the last season in which Gonzalez averaged an RBI a game Although Gonzalez finished the regular season rather slowly he showed up in a big way in the playoffs where he hit 348 348 739 for Cleveland in the Division Series with 3 doubles 2 homers and 5 RBI in 5 games Despite this Cleveland still fell in defeat Gonzalez had a season best 15 game hitting streak from August 29 September 19 at 345 20 58 and hit safely in 10 straight games from April 17 27 Gonzalez also had a 4 hit game April 11 at the Chicago White Sox Gonzalez batted 368 43 117 vs left handers 3rd best in the AL and had a 335 53 158 mark with runners in scoring position the 8th highest As the DH he hit 392 31 79 this was the highest average in AL among players with 35 or more DH at bats with 8 homers and 33 RBI in 21 games Through 11 full major league seasons 1991 2001 Gonzalez had 392 homers and 1 263 RBI an average of 36 homers and 115 RBI per year His RBI total was the most in MLB in during that time frame by 40 despite having 1 000 fewer plate appearances than the player with the second most RBIs for the time period Jeff Bagwell who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 Second stint with Texas Rangers 2002 2003 edit On January 8 2002 Gonzalez made his return to Arlington by signing a two year 24 million contract with the Texas Rangers He hit 282 324 451 94 OPS the first year in 70 games On June 18 he participated in the first MLB game ever with four players with 400 home runs to that point Rafael Palmeiro and Fred McGriff joined Sosa and Gonzalez in a game which Texas lost to the Chicago Cubs 4 3 His first season back in Arlington he had a 358 29 81 average versus Lefties and hit 328 21 64 with runners in scoring position while posting a 307 mark 42 137 in Arlington He hit just 171 6 35 with 2 homers and 4 RBI as the DH He had Texas only hit a leadoff double in the 8th off Cory Lidle on July 19 at Oakland In 2003 Gonzalez started the first few weeks rather slowly He had a 230 average with 4 homers and 8 RBI in his first 18 games through April 20 He quickly picked it up though and went on a 349 29 83 tear with 9 homers and 24 RBI in his next 21 games improving to 293 by May 5 As of May 7 Gonzalez was tied for the Major League Lead in home runs with 12 He followed that up by going just 8 for 39 205 in his next 9 games falling to 276 through May 25 He started a hot streak yet again though by hitting 321 42 131 with 10 homers and 36 RBI in the next 34 games But his season was cut short by a tear in his calf muscle on July 19 At the time Gonzalez was hitting 294 and ranked 3rd in home runs 24 4th in slugging percentage 572 and 7th in RBI 70 in the AL Gonzalez was on pace to recapture his 2001 Indians form but the tear lingered and the injury proved to be the end of his season Gonzalez hit 2 homers in a game 4 times April 5 vs Seattle April 29 and May 1 at Toronto and July 10 against Minnesota His 47 career multi homer games are 12th most all time He also hammered 5 homers in 3 games April 29 May 1 at Toronto the 4th time in Rangers history that feat had been accomplished He had a season best 5 RBI on April 29 at Toronto and drove in 4 runs in a game on 3 occasions Gonzalez had 18 RBI in a 9 game span April 22 May 1 including 10 in 3 game series at Toronto April 29 May 1 He was selected as AL co player of the week for April 28 May 4 He also had a season high 9 game hitting streak June 3 17 He started 57 games in right field and 24 games as the designated hitter He did not make an error in 108 total chances in the outfield and was tied for 6th in the league in outfield assists 10 despite his short season He ranked 5th on the club in home runs 24 and completed his 11th season with 20 or more home runs The Rangers however were preparing for a youth movement and on October 26 2003 he was granted free agency Kansas City Royals 2004 edit On January 6 2004 Gonzalez was signed by the Kansas City Royals to a one year 4 5 million deal with an option for the next season 10 However his back worsened in the middle of May and his season came to an end after May 21 He ended up hitting 276 326 441 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 33 games 11 The Royals declined to renew his option making him a free agent 12 Second stint with Cleveland Indians 2005 edit He was signed by the Cleveland Indians for the 2005 season and was activated in May Despite a thorough workout regimen Gonzalez suffered a major hamstring injury he tore his right medial hamstring totally off the bone at the knee joint in his first plate appearance of the season while running out a grounder This put him out for the season after just one at bat Gonzalez signed on with the independent Atlantic League in 2006 playing for the Long Island Ducks He hit 323 377 515 in 36 games with 6 home runs and 23 RBI His time was again limited by injuries The St Louis Cardinals invited Gonzalez to spring training prior to the 2008 season 13 He was one of 26 non roster invitees participating in full roster workouts that began on February 19 2008 14 He hit 308 with a 462 slugging percentage in spring training with 1 home run 1 double and 5 RBI in 9 games However he was put on the inactive list with an abdominal strain and he returned to Puerto Rico with an invitation to rejoin the Cardinals once he was healthy Gonzalez decided to stay in Puerto Rico and did not rejoin the Cardinals 15 In June 2013 Gonzalez was invited to become a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame He declined the invitation at the time saying I closed the Texas Rangers chapter in my life a long time ago 16 17 A couple years later though he accepted the invitation and was inducted on July 11 2015 Gonzalez is the Rangers all time leader with 372 home runs 1 180 RBIs and a 565 slugging percentage His 157 RBIs in 1998 and 643 slugging percentage in 1996 are also club records Gonzalez ranks in the top 5 in club history in almost every other major offensive category 18 Career statistics edit Games PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG FLD 1689 7155 6556 1061 1936 388 25 434 1404 457 1273 295 343 561 983 In four American League Division Series covering 15 games Gonzalez hit 290 18 for 62 scoring 11 runs with 8 home runs and 15 RBI Career in Puerto Rico editIn the 1989 1990 Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League Gonzalez hit 269 345 500 for the Criollos de Caguas and hit 9 home runs one less than former league leader Greg Vaughn During the 1992 1993 season he batted 333 for the Santurce Crabbers and won the league MVP award despite not playing until after the All Star break He hit 7 home runs and led the league despite playing in only 66 games Gonzalez did not accompany Santurce to the 1993 Caribbean Series The next season he ended up hitting 268 with 7 homers 3 behind Phil Hiatt In 1995 Gonzalez joined the San Juan Senators for the 1995 Caribbean Series and hit 375 with 6 RBI as the Puerto Rican Dream Team won the title Gonzalez hit 5th between Carlos Delgado and Ruben Sierra on a team that also boasted Roberto Alomar Bernie Williams Carlos Baerga and Edgar Martinez San Juan outscored their opponents 49 15 During the 2006 2007 Puerto Rican League in 33 games playing for the champion Carolina Giants Gonzalez hit 281 with 18 RBIs and 4 homers In 12 playoff games he batted 369 with 3 home runs and 5 RBIs Gonzalez claims he is healthy and no longer feels pain in his legs He was 10 for 26 385 in the 2007 Caribbean Series and made the All Star team at DH Presently he is the owner of the baseball team in his hometown Vega Baja in the Confederative Baseball League in Puerto Rico where he also plays as a DH Aside from baseball he focuses on helping the community with the condition that no attention from the media occurs when he becomes involved in a cause stating What value does it have to help someone and then publicizing it in newspapers That is not giving I help but I ask them to please not say anything 19 For the 2015 2016 season Gonzalez served as coach of the Double A Vega Baja team the Caimanes del Melao Melao However after a 3 11 record he was fired 20 Steroid allegations editGonzalez was one of several players whom Jose Canseco claimed to have introduced to steroids Canseco made these allegations in his best seller Juiced but without citing any corroborating evidence 21 Gonzalez was also briefly mentioned in the Mitchell Report regarding a 2001 incident in which an unmarked bag in the Indians team luggage was detained by customs in Toronto Canada Gonzalez s assistant stated that the bag belonged to Angel Presinal a prominent personal trainer for a number of professional players but Presinal claimed that the bag belonged to Gonzalez It was also disputed whether or not the bag actually contained steroids Although Presinal claimed the bag was not his he said that he was aware of its contents and that they were not in fact steroids He stated that the bag contained Soladek a painkiller Dolo neurobion a vitamin B complex used in fighting the flu and Clenbuterol a stimulant similar to ephedrine which is believed by some to promote muscle tone and weight loss Gonzalez immediately cut ties with the trainer following the incident In 2007 ESPN published an article about Presinal on its website describing him as fitness guru massage therapist and personal trainer to baseball s Latino elite In the same article ESPN asked John Hart the Indians former general manager about the 2001 incident involving Presinal Hart said that the team looked into the matter and ultimately exonerated Gonzalez 22 In 2007 Rangers owner Tom Hicks speculated that Gonzalez had used steroids saying in an interview that the team had acquired Juan Gonzalez for 24 million after he came off steroids probably we just gave that money away 17 Hicks later acknowledged that his statement was not based on personal knowledge only a suspicion that steroids were the cause of injuries The way his body broke down at a young age and his early retirement makes me suspicious 17 Luis Mayoral a former Ranger employee and good friend of Gonzalez reasoned that Hicks comments were why Gonzalez declined his first invitation to join the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2013 17 Instead he was inducted in 2015 Like his former teammate hall of famer Ivan Rodriguez who was also accused of steroid use Gonzalez has consistently stated over the years that he has never taken steroids and is in fact a vegetarian 23 I have nothing to hide said Gonzalez Nothing And I offered to be tested whenever they wanted If you have nothing to hide there is nothing to worry about Gonzalez said 24 In Rodriguez s case similar unproven allegations from baseball s steroid era did not prevent him from being elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot 25 Personal life editGonzalez has been married four times He was married to Puerto Rican volleyball player Elaine Lopez sister of fellow major leaguer Javy Lopez during the early 1990s This marriage broke down when a local newspaper released a cover photo of singer Olga Tanon kissing Gonzalez during a concert in San Juan A scandal followed with Gonzalez divorcing Elaine Lopez and marrying Tanon who said she had no idea Gonzalez was married to Lopez when she kissed him Gonzalez and Tanon had a daughter together Gabriela Gonzalez Tanon in 1996 They got married on December 1999 Gonzalez and Tanon divorced less than two years later His daughter later became one of only 50 people in the world and the first Puerto Rican ever to have been diagnosed with Sebastian syndrome a mild blood clotting disorder Gonzalez has a friendship with George W Bush which began when Gonzalez debuted with the Texas Rangers who at the time were owned by Bush 26 27 28 Gonzalez stated that a friendship that goes beyond baseball was created between them and during his time in office Bush invited Gonzalez to the White House twice 29 The first of reunions took place on April 16 2001 and the second on December 3 2007 in this reunion he was accompanied by historian Luis Rodriguez Mayoral 30 The discussion lasted 35 minutes and involved Gonzalez s future in the Major Leagues and other baseball related topics as well as the happenings of their respective careers 29 During this visit to Washington D C Gonzalez was also involved in a meeting with Rudy Giuliani and a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in order to visit Puerto Rican soldiers that were injured in the Iraq War 31 After a history of personal setbacks Gonzalez stated in a 2007 interview that his personal life was now in order I d rather have health and my family my relationship with God than money he said How many people who can buy whatever they want have committed suicide God is first then your kids your family good health 23 Success as manager of Puerto Rico national team editAfter serving as a coach in 2017 Gonzalez was named manager and head coach of the Puerto Rico national baseball team in 2018 leading the team to gold medals in both 2018 and 2019 32 Gonzalez made his debut as manager at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games CACG 33 Unable to request athletes contracted to MLB or active in MiLB Gonzalez assembled a team consisting of players active in foreign independent leagues the local Double A amateur league and veteran free agents with previous professional experience making the final cut following a preparatory tournament 34 Gonzalez made his official debut as manager in a 5 3 victory over Venezuela 35 In its next outing Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 8 1 to snap Cuba s 36 year 43 game winning streak at the CACG 36 This was followed by wins over the Dominican Republic 4 1 and Mexico 7 1 37 Gonzalez closed his first participation as manager by leading Puerto Rico to the CACG gold medal defeating second place Colombia 2 1 38 In 2019 Gonzalez found continued success by guiding Puerto Rico to win gold at the 2019 Lima Pan American Games going undefeated and besting Canada 6 1 in the final This was Puerto Rico s first ever gold medal in baseball in the history of the Pan American Games 39 Also in 2019 the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation announced that Gonzalez would be the manager of the Puerto Rican National Team in November s WBSC Premier12 the biggest international baseball event of the year in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games 40 Accomplishments edit2 time American League MVP 1996 1998 5 time Top 10 MVP 4th 1993 1st 1996 9th 1997 1st 1998 5th 2001 3 time All Star 1993 1998 2001 5 40 HR Seasons 1992 43 1993 46 1996 47 1997 42 1998 45 and 1 39 HR Season 1999 His 561 slugging percentage ranks 15th on the all time list His 434 career home runs rank 47th on the all time list Ranks 4th all time in plate appearances HR with 16 49 No 1 Mark McGwire 13 14 No 2 Babe Ruth 14 87 No 3 Sammy Sosa 16 25 Ranks 5th all time in HR 162 games with 42 Ranks 5th all time in TB 162 games with 353 Ranks 6th all time in RBI 162 games with 135 Ranks 6th all time in XBH 162 games with 81 Ranks 12th all time in career multi homer games Ranks 15th all time in AB per HR with 15 1 AB HR 6 Silver Slugger awards 1992 1993 1996 1997 1998 2001 2 time American League Home Run Champion 1992 1993 Finished Top 5 in RBI 6 times 1993 4th 118 1996 2nd 144 1997 3rd 131 1998 1st 157 1999 5th 128 2001 2nd 140 Finished Top 5 in slugging percentage 7 times 1992 5th 561 1993 1st 632 1996 2nd 643 1997 4th 589 1998 2nd 630 1999 4th 601 2001 5th 590 Became just the second player in major league history to have at least 100 RBI before the All Star break 101 in 1998 second to Hank Greenberg who had 103 Holds all time record for RBI in the month of April 35 in 1998 One of only six players after 1950 with over 150 RBI in a single season Hit his 300th home run in the fewest games in American League history 1 096 9th Youngest ever to hit 300 Career HR 28 years 334 days Tied for 1st in postseason history for HR in a single division series with Ken Griffey Jr but in fewer games Gonzalez 5 HR in 4 games in 1996 Griffey 5 HR in 5 games in 1995 Tied for 2nd in most HR in a single playoff series with 5 HR in just 4 games in 1996 Reggie Jackson 1977 5 HR in 6 Games Chase Utley 2009 5 HR in 6 Games Ken Griffey Jr 1995 5 HR in 5 Games Nelson Cruz 2011 6 HR in 6 games Ranks 2nd in postseason history in slugging percentage in a single playoff series 1 375 in 1996 41 Ranks 2nd in postseason history in OPS in a single Division Series 1 901 in 1996 Ranks 5th in postseason history in OPS in a single playoff series among qualified leaders 1 901 in 1996 Tied for 2nd with 10 other players in extra base hits in a single Division Series 5 in 1996 amp 2001 Ranks 3rd in postseason history in total bases in a single Division Series 22 in 1996 Ranks 7th in postseason history in RBI in a single Division Series 9 in 1996 Tied for 2nd in postseason history in career HR in the Division Series 8 HR Ranks 4th in postseason history in career slugging percentage in the Division Series 742 Ranks 7th in postseason history in career extra base hits in the Division Series 12 Ranks 8th in postseason history in career OPS in the Division Series 1 075 See also edit nbsp Baseball portal nbsp Puerto Rico portal List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders List of Puerto Ricans List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell ReportReferences edit a b Durrett Richard July 7 2011 Juan Gone lived up to his nickname ESPN Dallas Retrieved November 9 2011 Berrios Alfredo May 7 2010 Former Texas Ranger slugger Juan Gonzalez eases into new baseball life in his native Puerto Rico ESPN com Retrieved May 12 2016 a b c Juan Gonzalez baseballbiography com Retrieved September 17 2008 Chass Murray June 27 2000 ON BASEBALL Yankee Scout Reveals The Error of His Ways The New York Times Juan Gonzalez Has Hit a Happy Beat in Life Fort Worth Star Telegram Retrieved November 10 2011 a b Sins Ken A Rising Star Texas Rangers Souvenir Program Retrieved November 10 2011 Baseball Awards Voting for 1996 Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 17 2008 Juan Gonzalez Stats Bio Photos Highlights MLB com Team Mlb mlb com January 1 2011 Retrieved on November 13 2011 Courting Disaster SI May 29 2000 Royals sign Juan Gonzalez CBC January 6 2004 Retrieved January 16 2020 Juan Gonzalez 2004 Batting Gamelogs Baseball Reference Retrieved January 16 2020 Juan Gonzalez Statistics and History Sports Reference LLC Retrieved August 24 2011 Juan Not Gone Former star Juan Gonzalez to attempt comeback with Cardinals Slam Sports Associated Press February 4 2008 Archived from the original on February 8 2008 Retrieved February 4 2008 a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint unfit URL link Gonzalez attempting comeback Former AL MVP invited to Cardiansl camp Sports Illustrated February 4 2008 Archived from the original on February 8 2008 Retrieved February 5 2008 a href Template Cite magazine html title Template Cite magazine cite magazine a Unknown parameter agency ignored help Juan Gonzalez Is Gone zo From Cardinals Camp but May Be Back Mlb fanhouse com March 27 2008 Retrieved on November 13 2011 Grant Evan June 7 2013 Juan Gonzalez declines induction into Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers Blog Archived from the original on June 10 2013 a b c d Horn Taking a Hall pass former Ranger Juan Gonzalez would rather be left alone Dallas Morning News July 19 2013 Retrieved January 16 2020 Sullivan T R Gonzalez Russell going into Rangers Hall of Fame Texas Rangers mlb com Retrieved June 10 2015 Berrios Alfredo May 4 2010 Igor refocuses role in Puerto Rico ESPNDeportes com Retrieved September 15 2011 Vega Baja despide a Igor Gonzalez Primera Hora April 13 2016 Retrieved May 8 2016 J Gonzalez denies allegations regarding performance enhancing drugs KFFL February 19 2008 Retrieved January 12 2009 Fish Mike February 14 2007 Presinal s past makes MLB wary about his present ESPN a b Ortiz Jorge L February 8 2007 Juan Gone for good USA Today Retrieved May 7 2010 Berrios Alfredo April 13 2010 Gonzalez on PEDs Never used them ESPNDeportes com Retrieved September 15 2011 Kepner Tyler July 22 2017 Ivan Rodriguez Hit His Target First Ballot Hall of Famer New York Times Bush only owned a small percentage of the Rangers as part of a large group of collective owners Notes On A Native SonHarper s Magazine Feb 2000 by Joe Concson Kevin P Phillipscite book Omar Marrero December 5 2007 Amistad mas alla del beisbol in Spanish Puerto Rico El Nuevo Dia La amistad de Bush con Gonzalez y Rodriguez Mayoral se remonta a finales de la decada de 1980 cuando Bush era uno de los duenos de los Rangers de Texas equipo en el que debuto y se hizo estrella el jugador boricua a b Omar Marrero December 5 2007 Amistad mas alla del beisbol in Spanish Puerto Rico El Nuevo Dia La reunion a puertas cerradas entre Bush Gonzalez y el historiador Luis Rodriguez Mayoral se extendio durante unos 35 minutos por invitacion del presidente Fue una experiencia que muy pocos pueden tener La amistad que hemos creado va mas alla del beisbol manifesto Gonzalez a The Associated Press en una entrevista telefonica desde Washington Distrito de Columbia Hablamos mucho de beisbol de mi futuro en las Grandes Ligas y de Puerto Rico revelo el pelotero Omar Marrero December 5 2007 Amistad mas alla del beisbol in Spanish Puerto Rico El Nuevo Dia De acuerdo con Rodriguez Mayoral es la segunda vez que el y Gonzalez se reunen con Bush en la Casa Blanca La primera ocasion recordo fue el dia 16 de abril del 2001 Omar Marrero December 5 2007 Amistad mas alla del beisbol in Spanish Puerto Rico El Nuevo Dia El itinerario del toletero puertorriqueno en la capital estadounidense incluye una reunion el martes con el precandidato republicano a la presidencia Rudolph Giuliani y una visita el jueves al hospital militar Walter Reed donde compartira con soldados puertorriquenos que han sido heridos en combate 2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico s skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019 August 19 2019 Pillot Ortiz Victor February 27 2018 Igor Gonzalez dirigira al Equipo Nacional de beisbol en Barranquilla El Nuevo Dia Ribas Reyes Fernando June 25 2018 Juan Igor Gonzalez ya tiene al cuadro titular para Barranquilla El Nuevo Dia Puerto Rico vence a Venezuela y Cuba sufre pero le gana a Panama en beisbol El Siglo July 22 2018 Puerto Rico vence a Cuba que pierde un invicto de 36 anos en el beisbol de los Centroamericanos El Economista July 23 2018 Puerto Rico vence a Dominicana y sigue imparable en el beisbol Hoy digital July 23 2018 Ribas Reyes Fernando July 26 2018 Seleccion de beisbol asegura la medalla de oro al vencer a Colombia El Nuevo Dia 2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico s skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019 August 19 2019 2x MLB MVP Juan Gonzalez named Puerto Rico s skipper for WBSC Premier12 2019 August 19 2019 Reference Baseball Playoffs Batting Sports Reference LLC Retrieved September 29 2011 External links editCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs Preceded byMark McGwire Bernie Williams American League Player of the MonthJuly 1996 September 1997 Succeeded byAlex Rodriguez Manny Ramirez Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Juan Gonzalez baseball amp oldid 1218734608, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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