Chris Gomez
Encyclopedia
Christopher Cory Gomez is a former Major League Baseball
infielder
. He bats and throws right-handed.
in Lakewood, California
Gomez originally went to college at Loyola Marymount University
, but transferred to Long Beach State
and played baseball there in . He was a selection for the All-America Team while at Long Beach State.
in in the 37th round of the amateur draft, but he turned down the contract. He was not drafted until June 1, , when he was signed by Detroit
in the 3rd round of the amateur draft. His contract was purchased from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
on July 19, , and he made his big league debut that night against the Minnesota Twins
. His first major league hit
was a triple
on July 22 off Kansas City Royals
pitcher
Frank DiPino
. He started in 23 games at shortstop
and 17 at second base
that year. After the season, Tigers news broadcasters elected him the Rookie of the Year.
was Gomez' first full major league season. He was on the Topps
All-Rookie team at shortstop. 27 of his 76 hits were extra base hit
s. His first multi-homer game was on May 7 against the Mariners
. Gomez finished the year with a .346 batting average
, 5 home run
s, and 26 RBI
. In , Gomez hit career highs in home runs with 11, run
s with 49, hits with 96, double
s with 20, as well as 41 walk
s. He ranked 4th on the team in RBI, hits, and doubles. In 123 games, Gomez only made 15 error
s.
Gomez started out the season with the Tigers, but was traded along with catcher
John Flaherty
to the San Diego Padres
for catcher Brad Ausmus
, shortstop Andujar Cedeno
, and minor leaguer, Russ Spears. Gomez finished the year with a .252 average, 4 home runs and 45 RBI. He batted .253 with 5 home runs and 54 RBI, and also swiped
5 bases, in .
Gomez was the shortstop for the National league champion Padres in . In the 1998 World Series
he batted .364 as the Padres went on to lose the series to the New York Yankees
.
After the season, Gomez was signed by the Baltimore Orioles. However, they did not protect him for the Rule 5 Draft
, and he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies
. When the team found out Plácido Polanco
was remaining with them, they allowed the Orioles to buy him back.
On August 9, , he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians
.
On December 4, 2007, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
On January 9, , Gomez signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles, and was given a non-roster invitation to spring training
. However he did not make the team and was released on April 1. On January 31, 2010 Gomez officially retired from the MLB.
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...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. He bats and throws right-handed.
College career
He played park league baseball in Lakewood for Mike Fahey.After playing baseball at Lakewood High SchoolLakewood High School (California)
Lakewood High School is a public secondary school located in the Southern California city of Lakewood. Founded in 1957, it is part of the Long Beach Unified School District...
in Lakewood, California
Lakewood, California
Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 80,048 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Major thoroughfares...
Gomez originally went to college at Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
, but transferred to Long Beach State
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
and played baseball there in . He was a selection for the All-America Team while at Long Beach State.
Professional career
Gomez was originally drafted by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in in the 37th round of the amateur draft, but he turned down the contract. He was not drafted until June 1, , when he was signed by Detroit
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 3rd round of the amateur draft. His contract was purchased from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
on July 19, , and he made his big league debut that night against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. His first major league 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....
was a triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
on July 22 off Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
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...
Frank DiPino
Frank DiPino
Frank Michael DiPino is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals...
. He started in 23 games at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and 17 at second base
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
that year. After the season, Tigers news broadcasters elected him the Rookie of the Year.
was Gomez' first full major league season. He was on the 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...
All-Rookie team at shortstop. 27 of his 76 hits were extra base hit
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s. His first multi-homer game was on May 7 against the Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. Gomez finished the year with a .346 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 :...
, 5 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, and 26 RBI
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...
. In , Gomez hit career highs in home runs with 11, run
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...
s with 49, hits with 96, 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....
s with 20, as well as 41 walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
s. He ranked 4th on the team in RBI, hits, and doubles. In 123 games, Gomez only made 15 error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
s.
Gomez started out the season with the Tigers, but was traded along with catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
John Flaherty
John Flaherty
John Timothy Flaherty is a television baseball broadcaster and a retired Major League Baseball player. Flaherty was a catcher, and last played in the major leagues for the New York Yankees.-Early life:...
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...
for catcher Brad Ausmus
Brad Ausmus
Bradley David "Brad" Ausmus is a former All Star catcher in Major League Baseball, and currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres....
, shortstop Andujar Cedeno
Andújar Cedeño
Andújar Cedeño Donastorg was a Major League Baseball shortstop from to . Born in La Romana, Dominican Republic, he played for the Houston Astros from 1990 to , the San Diego Padres in , and in 1996 played for the Padres, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros again.He hit for the cycle in and was a...
, and minor leaguer, Russ Spears. Gomez finished the year with a .252 average, 4 home runs and 45 RBI. He batted .253 with 5 home runs and 54 RBI, and also swiped
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
5 bases, in .
Gomez was the shortstop for the National league champion Padres in . In the 1998 World Series
1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
he batted .364 as the Padres went on to lose the series to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
After the season, Gomez was signed by the Baltimore Orioles. However, they did not protect him for the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, and he was selected by 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...
. When the team found out Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
was remaining with them, they allowed the Orioles to buy him back.
On August 9, , he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
On December 4, 2007, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
On January 9, , Gomez signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles, and was given a non-roster invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. However he did not make the team and was released on April 1. On January 31, 2010 Gomez officially retired from the MLB.