Adrián González
Encyclopedia
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball
first baseman
with the Boston Red Sox
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.
Gonzalez was born in San Diego, California
, but played for Mexico in the 2006
and 2009 World Baseball Classic
. His nicknames include Gonzo and A-Gon,
, but he advanced with his senior year performance. 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. While in the Marlins organization, Gonzalez played with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, 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.
, along with Ryan Snare
and minor leaguer Will Smith, to acquire a relief pitcher, Ugueth Urbina
, to aid their championship drive. He played in 16 games for Texas in and in 43 games in .
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 , Gonzalez continued to improve his hitting and defense. On July 23, 2006, he was named the NL Player of the Week
. In his first full season, he led the Padres in batting average
(.304) and home run
s (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.
On March 31, , Gonzalez agreed to a $9.5 million, four-year deal, with a club option for $5.5 million in 2011. 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.
In the 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.
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.
Gonzalez hit 23 homers and led Major League Baseball in that category at the end of May, . This despite playing his home games at Petco Park
, which Padres statisticians describe as an “extreme pitcher's park.” 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
. 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. Gonzalez was elected to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
after voting by fellow players, managers and coaches. 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, 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.
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. 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
. 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.
Gonzalez would have been in the last year of his contract in 2011, but the Padres were not going to meet Gonzalez’s open market value especially with Jeff Moorad
’s purchase of the Padres from John Moores
not completing until around 2013.
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
.
On April 15, 2011, Gonzalez and the Red Sox agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $154 million through the 2018 season.
On June 19, 2011, Gonzalez hit his 1,000 career hit: a triple off of Milwaukee Brewers
pitcher Yovani Gallardo
.
On July 3, Adrian Gonzalez was selected to represent the Red Sox at the 2011 All Star game in Arizona along with fellow 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 Cano
. 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. 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
. On November 21st the AL MVP ballots came out, with Adrian in seventh place and his team mate Ellsbury in 2nd.
, Mexico & Bonita, California
. His brother is former Padres teammate Edgar Gonzalez
. Their father was a member of the Mexican national baseball team.
Gonzalez is a born-again Christian
and engraved on his bats is "PS 27:1" for verse 1 from Psalm 27
.
Gonzalez and his wife Betsy reside in San Diego. The couple created The Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation, which is focused on empowering underprivileged youth in areas of athletics, education and health.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
by the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He was traded to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, and later to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, where he was an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
selection four times and two-time Gold Glove
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
winner. The four-time Padres team Most Valuable Player (MVP) was traded to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
before entering the final year of his contract during the 2010 offseason.
Gonzalez was born in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, but played for Mexico in the 2006
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
and 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. His nicknames include Gonzo and A-Gon,
Florida Marlins (2000–2003)
Gonzalez was projected to be a late first-round pick out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
, but he advanced with his senior year performance. In June 2000, Gonzalez became the first infield position player to be drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
in 1993. He was given a $3 million signing bonus by the Florida Marlins. While in the Marlins organization, Gonzalez played with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, Utica Blue Sox
Utica Blue Sox
The Utica Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Utica, New York. In their most recent incarnation, the Blue Sox played in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League from 1977-2001, with their home games at Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field...
, Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
(2002), Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
(2003), and Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
(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.
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 RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, along with Ryan Snare
Ryan Snare
Ryan Delbert Snare is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in 1 game in for the Texas Rangers...
and minor leaguer Will Smith, to acquire a relief pitcher, Ugueth Urbina
Ugueth Urbina
Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. A two-time All-Star, Urbina led the National League in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series...
, to aid their championship drive. He played in 16 games for Texas in and in 43 games in .
After the season, Gonzalez was traded to the San Diego Padres along with pitcher Chris Young and outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Terrmel Sledge
Terrmel Sledge
Terrmel Sledge is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Sledge's career began in with the Montreal Expos. He moved with the team to Washington, D.C...
. In return, the Rangers received Adam Eaton
Adam Eaton
Adam Thomas Eaton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school:Eaton graduated from Snohomish High School in 1996 where he went 8–0 with a 0.67 earned run average as a senior, and earned second team High School All-America honors from Baseball America. Ranked the No...
and Akinori Otsuka
Akinori Otsuka
is a currently inactive Japanese Major League Baseball player. He was formerly the set-up man for the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers...
. Originally seen as an eventual replacement for Ryan Klesko
Ryan Klesko
Ryan Anthony Klesko , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and corner outfielder, who played for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants...
at first base, Gonzalez was given the job when Klesko underwent shoulder surgery.
San Diego Padres (2006–2010)
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week award is a Major League Baseball award named by each of the American and National Leagues each week of the regular season...
. In his first full season, he led the Padres in batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.304) and home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (24). He was the first player in Petco Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
history to have more than one multiple home run game. He was named the Padres' MVP for 2006.
On March 31, , Gonzalez agreed to a $9.5 million, four-year deal, with a club option for $5.5 million in 2011. 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.
In the 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
Miguel Tejada
Miguel Odalis Tejada was a Major League Baseball infielder who has played for the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Houston Astros, the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics...
of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He won his first Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
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.
Gonzalez played winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League for the Venados de Mazatlán
Venados de Mazatlán
Venados de Mazatlán are a baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League. In 2005, the team won the Mexican Pacific League Championship and went on to win their first Caribbean Series, which was played in Mazatlán.-2004-2005 Season:...
. In the 2009 Caribbean Series
2009 Caribbean Series
The LI edition of the Caribbean Series was played in . It was held from February 2 through February 7 with the champions teams from Dominican Republic , Mexico , Puerto Rico and Venezuela . The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice...
, he led his team past the Dominican Republic's Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey is a professional baseball team founded in 1907 based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is one of the two franchises of the Capital city of the country, the oldest and one of the most successful teams in the Dominican league, having won 22 Dominican titles and 10 Caribbean...
with a record-setting 3 home runs on February 4.
Gonzalez hit 23 homers and led Major League Baseball in that category at the end of May, . This despite playing his home games at Petco Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
, which Padres statisticians describe as an “extreme pitcher's park.” 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
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
. On April 1, Gonzalez was named the NL Co-Player of the Week
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week award is a Major League Baseball award named by each of the American and National Leagues each week of the regular season...
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. Gonzalez was elected to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 80th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 2009, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of the...
after voting by fellow players, managers and coaches. He subsequently participated in that year's Home Run Derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
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
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
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, 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.
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. On June 2, Gonzalez hit a walk-off grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in extra innings to lead his team toward a 5–1 victory over the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. 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
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
(114) and Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
(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
Rickie Weeks
Rickie Darnell Weeks is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers....
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.
Gonzalez would have been in the last year of his contract in 2011, but the Padres were not going to meet Gonzalez’s open market value especially with Jeff Moorad
Jeff Moorad
Jeff Moorad is a former sports agent and is currently lead owner of the San Diego Padres and part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.He is an Assyrian American...
’s purchase of the Padres from John Moores
John Moores (baseball)
John Jay Moores is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, and the owner of the San Diego Padres.-Early years:...
not completing until around 2013.
Boston Red Sox (2010–present)
On December 6, 2010, Gonzalez was traded to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for a package of right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly is an American minor league baseball player in the San Diego Padres organization. He was a first round draft choice, 30th overall, in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox...
, first baseman Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Rizzo (baseball)
Anthony Rizzo is an American professional baseball first baseman for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball...
, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
, later determined to be Eric Patterson
Eric Patterson
Eric Scott Patterson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He has also played second base in the majors, which he predominantly played in the minor leagues...
.
On April 15, 2011, Gonzalez and the Red Sox agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $154 million through the 2018 season.
On June 19, 2011, Gonzalez hit his 1,000 career hit: a triple off of Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
pitcher Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican-American right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas....
.
On July 3, Adrian Gonzalez was selected to represent the Red Sox at the 2011 All Star game in Arizona along with fellow teammates Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
, Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
, David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
, Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
, and Jon Lester
Jon Lester
Jonathan Tyler Lester is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
. Gonzalez hit a home run in the game and was responsible for the only run for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. Additionally, Ortiz selected Gonzalez as one of three sluggers to join him in the Home Run Derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
, where he finished second to Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
. 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. After placing second in the 2011 Home Run Derby
2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
The 2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby pit four sluggers each from the National and American Leagues against one another in a home run hitting contest...
, 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
MLB 12: The Show
MLB 12: The Show is a Major League Baseball video game which will be published by Sony Computer Entertainment and developed by Sony San Diego...
. On November 21st the AL MVP ballots came out, with Adrian in seventh place and his team mate Ellsbury in 2nd.
Personal life
The son of Mexican parents, Gonzalez spent his youth in TijuanaTijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, Mexico & Bonita, California
Bonita, California
Bonita is a census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California, nestled between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. The population was 12,538 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bonita is located at ....
. His brother is former Padres teammate Edgar Gonzalez
Edgar Gonzalez (infielder)
Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:...
. Their father was a member of the Mexican national baseball team.
Gonzalez is a born-again Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and engraved on his bats is "PS 27:1" for verse 1 from Psalm 27
Psalm 27
-Judaism:*Is recited twice daily from Rosh Chodesh Elul to Shemini Atzeret, a period of repentance based in the Midrash.*Verse 7 is found in the repetition of the Shacharit Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.*Verse 13 is found in the Mussaf Amidah on Rosh Hashanah....
.
Gonzalez and his wife Betsy reside in San Diego. The couple created The Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation, which is focused on empowering underprivileged youth in areas of athletics, education and health.