Carlos González (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Carlos Eduardo González (born October 17, 1985, in Maracaibo
, Venezuela
) (nicknamed CarGo) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
for the Colorado Rockies
.
on August 3, 2002. González began his professional career in for the Rookie League Missoula Osprey
. González batted
just .258 with 6 home run
s in 72 games. In , González split time between the Low Single-A Yakima Bears
and the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks
. In 85 games, he batted .275 with 10 home runs.
González played the season again for the Silver Hawks. He led the Silver Hawks in games played (129) and RBIs
(92). He was second on the team in batting average (.307), home runs (18), at bat
s (515) and runs scored
(91). González was also named to the Midwest League
midseason and postseason All-Star games and was also named the Midwest League Prospect of the Year. Baseball America
and Topps
each named González as a Low Class-A All-Star. Topps also named him as the Midwest League Player of the Year.
In , Baseball America rated González at #32 on their top 100 prospects list and was the 6th-highest Diamondbacks player on that list. González mainly played for the High Single-A Lancaster JetHawks
in 2006, but also spent some time with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies
. González played in 122 games and batted .289 with a career high 23 home runs. He also led the JetHawks in home runs (21) and RBIs (93). González was also an All-Star Futures Game
selection and a California League
postseason All-Star selection. Baseball America rated González as a High Class-A All-Star, and he received the same honor from Topps.
In , Baseball America rated González at #18 on their top 100 prospects list and was the 3rd highest Diamondbacks player on that list. González mainly played for the Double-A Mobile BayBears
, but also spent some time with in Triple-A with the Tucson Sidewinders
. González played in 130 games and batted .288 with 17 home runs. González led the BayBears in home runs (16) and RBI (75). González was once again named to the All-Star Futures Game.
On December 14, 2007, González was traded along with Dana Eveland
, Aaron Cunningham
, Chris Carter
, Brett Anderson
, and Greg Smith
to the Oakland Athletics for Dan Haren
and Connor Robertson
.
, where he got first career hit
, an opposite field double
down the left field line off Texas Rangers pitcher
Kevin Millwood
. This was one of two doubles he hit in his major league debut. His next five major league hits were also doubles, making González the first player since Hall of Famer Johnny Mize
in to record the first seven hits of his career as extra base hits. On June 20, 2008, González hit his first career home run against the Florida Marlins
. It was a solo home run that was hit off a curveball
to right-center field. He had his first 4-hit game, going 4 for 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays
on August 8.
and Greg Smith
to the Colorado Rockies for Matt Holliday
. González's nickname is CarGo, which was coined by Colorado Rockies
broadcaster Drew Goodman
. After what many called a disappointing season with Oakland, González spent most of the season with the Rockies Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
. After a series of injuries to the Rockies outfield, González was called up and started slow, but eventually began to produce, proving himself as a nice combination of power and speed atop the lineup. In the 2009 National League Division Series
against the Philadelphia Phillies
, González tied the franchise record for the most hits in an NLDS with 10, and led the NLDS
and ALDS
in batting average
with .588 in four games. In his 2010 season, he finished in the top ten in home runs, batting average, RBI's, and runs scored in the National League.
On July 31, 2010, in a game against the Chicago Cubs
, González hit for the cycle, including a walk-off home run
on the first pitch in the bottom of the 9th inning. He became the first player since Dwight Evans
of the Boston Red Sox
in 1984 to hit a walkoff home run for the cycle, according to the Elias Sports Bureau
. Manager Jim Tracy labeled González as not just a five-tool player
, but a "six-tool player."
In 2010, González garnered serious consideration as a candidate for the National League MVP award, along with St. Louis Cardinals
first baseman Albert Pujols
and Cincinnati Reds
first baseman Joey Votto
, as well as a Triple Crown candidate with the above-mentioned first basemen. However, González fell short on home runs and narrowly missed having the most RBI, but did manage to win the NL batting title in 2010 with a .336 average. He finished with 34 home runs, 117 RBI and a National League-leading 197 hits.
González received the National League Players Choice Award
for Outstanding Player in 2010. He then won the Players Choice Award for Player of the Year throughout Major League Baseball. González was also voted the winner of the 2010 Luis Aparicio Award
, which is given to the most outstanding Venezuelan player in Major League Baseball, as voted by Venezuelan and international Spanish-speaking media. He finished third in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America
for National League MVP. For his defensive efforts in 2010, in which he only committed one error in the outfield, González won his first Gold Glove
. On the offensive side, González received his first Silver Slugger Award.
González signed a 7 year/$80.5 million contract extension with the Colorado Rockies on Jan. 11, 2011. The contract includes a $3 million signing bonus, and yearly salaries through 2017 that ramp up to $20 million. It is the largest contract in MLB history for a 2-year player.
On June 27, 2011, Gonzalez hit two solo home runs in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs
.
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
) (nicknamed CarGo) is a 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...
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...
for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.
Minor leagues
González was signed by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
on August 3, 2002. González began his professional career in for the Rookie League Missoula Osprey
Missoula Osprey
The Missoula Osprey is a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Missoula, Montana. The team plays its home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. The club is a member of the Pioneer League, a short-season league which is designated Rookie Advanced.The Osprey...
. González batted
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 :...
just .258 with 6 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 in 72 games. In , González split time between the Low Single-A Yakima Bears
Yakima Bears
The Yakima Bears are a minor league baseball team in Yakima, Washington. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2001, formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers from the team's creation in 1990 when the Salem...
and the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks
South Bend Silver Hawks
The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League....
. In 85 games, he batted .275 with 10 home runs.
González played the season again for the Silver Hawks. He led the Silver Hawks in games played (129) and RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(92). He was second on the team in batting average (.307), home runs (18), at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s (515) and runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(91). González was also named to the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
midseason and postseason All-Star games and was also named the Midwest League Prospect of the Year. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
and Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
each named González as a Low Class-A All-Star. Topps also named him as the Midwest League Player of the Year.
In , Baseball America rated González at #32 on their top 100 prospects list and was the 6th-highest Diamondbacks player on that list. González mainly played for the High Single-A Lancaster JetHawks
Lancaster JetHawks
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team of the California League located in Lancaster, California. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium...
in 2006, but also spent some time with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
. González played in 122 games and batted .289 with a career high 23 home runs. He also led the JetHawks in home runs (21) and RBIs (93). González was also an All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
selection and a California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
postseason All-Star selection. Baseball America rated González as a High Class-A All-Star, and he received the same honor from Topps.
In , Baseball America rated González at #18 on their top 100 prospects list and was the 3rd highest Diamondbacks player on that list. González mainly played for the Double-A Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
, but also spent some time with in Triple-A with the Tucson Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
. González played in 130 games and batted .288 with 17 home runs. González led the BayBears in home runs (16) and RBI (75). González was once again named to the All-Star Futures Game.
On December 14, 2007, González was traded along with Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
, Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Roe Ward Cunningham is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:Cunningham was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft...
, Chris Carter
Chris Carter (right-handed hitter)
Vernon Christopher "Chris" Carter is a professional baseball player for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
, Brett Anderson
Brett Anderson (baseball)
Brett Franklin Anderson is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:He attended Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he was an all-state selection in 2006, his senior year....
, and Greg Smith
Greg Smith (pitcher)
Gregory Thomas Smith is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Baseball career:Smith attended Louisiana State University, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball team...
to the Oakland Athletics for Dan Haren
Dan Haren
Daniel John Haren is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.- High-school and college career :...
and Connor Robertson
Connor Robertson
James Connor Robertson is a currently inactive right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher...
.
Oakland Athletics
On May 30, , González made his MLB debut against 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...
, where he got first career hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, an opposite field double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
down the left field line off Texas Rangers pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Kevin Millwood
Kevin Millwood
Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...
. This was one of two doubles he hit in his major league debut. His next five major league hits were also doubles, making González the first player since Hall of Famer Johnny Mize
Johnny Mize
John Robert "Johnny" Mize was a baseball player who was a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees...
in to record the first seven hits of his career as extra base hits. On June 20, 2008, González hit his first career home run against 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...
. It was a solo home run that was hit off a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
to right-center field. He had his first 4-hit game, going 4 for 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on August 8.
Colorado Rockies
On November 12, 2008, González was traded with Huston StreetHuston Street
Huston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
and Greg Smith
Greg Smith (pitcher)
Gregory Thomas Smith is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Baseball career:Smith attended Louisiana State University, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball team...
to the Colorado Rockies for Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
. González's nickname is CarGo, which was coined by Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
broadcaster Drew Goodman
Drew Goodman
Drew Goodman is the television play by play voice for the Colorado Rockies on Root Sports Rocky Mountain.Goodman's home run call is "Take a good look; you won't see it for long!"-Biography:...
. After what many called a disappointing season with Oakland, González spent most of the season with the Rockies Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
. After a series of injuries to the Rockies outfield, González was called up and started slow, but eventually began to produce, proving himself as a nice combination of power and speed atop the lineup. In the 2009 National League Division Series
2009 National League Division Series
The National League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The NLDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, González tied the franchise record for the most hits in an NLDS with 10, and led the NLDS
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
and ALDS
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
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 :...
with .588 in four games. In his 2010 season, he finished in the top ten in home runs, batting average, RBI's, and runs scored in the National League.
On July 31, 2010, in a game against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, González hit for the cycle, including a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
on the first pitch in the bottom of the 9th inning. He became the first player since Dwight Evans
Dwight Evans
Dwight Michael Evans , nicknamed "Dewey", is an American former professional baseball right fielder and right-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball....
of 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"...
in 1984 to hit a walkoff home run for the cycle, according to the Elias Sports Bureau
Elias Sports Bureau
The Elias Sports Bureau is an American company that provides historical research and statistical services in the field of professional sports.In 1913, Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the Al Munro Elias Bureau in New York City...
. Manager Jim Tracy labeled González as not just a five-tool player
Five-tool player
In baseball, a five-tool player is one who excels at hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning skills and speed, throwing ability, and fielding abilities....
, but a "six-tool player."
In 2010, González garnered serious consideration as a candidate for the National League MVP award, along with St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
first baseman 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...
and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
first baseman Joey Votto
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
, as well as a Triple Crown candidate with the above-mentioned first basemen. However, González fell short on home runs and narrowly missed having the most RBI, but did manage to win the NL batting title in 2010 with a .336 average. He finished with 34 home runs, 117 RBI and a National League-leading 197 hits.
González received the National League Players Choice Award
Players Choice Award
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association .The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major...
for Outstanding Player in 2010. He then won the Players Choice Award for Player of the Year throughout Major League Baseball. González was also voted the winner of the 2010 Luis Aparicio Award
Luis Aparicio Award
The Luis Aparicio Award is given annually to honor the Venezuelan player who recorded the best individual performance in Major League Baseball, as voted on by sports journalists in Venezuela....
, which is given to the most outstanding Venezuelan player in Major League Baseball, as voted by Venezuelan and international Spanish-speaking media. He finished third in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
for National League MVP. For his defensive efforts in 2010, in which he only committed one error in the outfield, González won his first 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...
. On the offensive side, González received his first Silver Slugger Award.
González signed a 7 year/$80.5 million contract extension with the Colorado Rockies on Jan. 11, 2011. The contract includes a $3 million signing bonus, and yearly salaries through 2017 that ramp up to $20 million. It is the largest contract in MLB history for a 2-year player.
On June 27, 2011, Gonzalez hit two solo home runs in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.