Alexander Luis González (born February 15, 1977 in Cagua, Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball shortstop who plays for the Atlanta Braves. Previously, González played with the Florida Marlins (1998–2005), Boston Red Sox (2006, 2009), Cincinnati Reds (2007–2009), and Toronto Blue Jays (2010). He was given the nickname "Sea-bass" while playing in Florida. He bats and throws right-handed.

Playing Career

Florida Marlins

In 1999, while with the Florida Marlins, González made the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

In 2001, he led all Major League shortstops with 26 errors.

González played an important role in the 2003 World Series against the Yankees. After going 1-for-13 in the World Series, he hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of Game Four to give the Marlins a 4-3 victory and a 2-2 tie in the Series. The extra innings happened because Florida's closer Ugueth Urbina blew a 3-1 lead in the ninth. Then in Game Five, González hit a two-out game-tying double and scored later in Game 5, another Marlins victory. González added an extra run in the sixth and final game, when he slid around catcher Jorge Posada, eluding him and brushing the plate with his left hand. Florida beat the odds with a 2-0 victory and won the World Series.

One of his most productive seasons came in 2004, when he posted career highs in at bats (561) and games played (159), tied a career high in home runs (23), yet also had a career high in strikeouts (126).

Boston Red Sox

Before the 2006 season, the Boston Red Sox signed González as a free agent to a one-year contract worth $3 million, plugging a hole in the starting lineup after the trade of shortstop Edgar Rentería to the Atlanta Braves.

González committed 32 errors in the last two seasons (16 each), compared to the 30 committed by Edgar Rentería in his only season with the Red Sox. González's signing with the Sox marked the second time he had replaced Rentería as the shortstop; Renteria had just left the Marlins for the St. Louis Cardinals before González joined the team in 1998.

Cincinnati Reds

On November 18, 2006, he signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[1] In 2008, an MRI showed that Gonzalez still has a fracture in his left knee.

He was named Player of the Week for the week of April 29, 2007.

When González was hurt in February, it looked like he'd be back in the middle of April. Gonzalez had surgery on the knee in July, however, and ultimately missed the entire 2008 season.

Boston Red Sox (second stint)

On August 14, 2009, González cleared waivers with the Cincinnati Reds and was traded back to the Boston Red Sox with $1.1 million for shortstop Kristopher Negron.[2]

Toronto Blue Jays

On November 26, 2009, González signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, with a club option for a 2nd year.[3]

Atlanta Braves

On July 14, 2010, González was traded along with prospects Tim Collins (LHP) and Tyler Pastornicky (SS)to the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes (LHP).[4]

Offseason

During the offseason Gonzalez plays in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Leones del Caracas.

References

   1. "Gonzalez, Reds agree to three-year, $14 million deal". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2667193. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
   2. Sox acquire Alex Gonzalez
   3. "SS Gonzalez, Blue Jays agree on one-year deal". FoxSports.com. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10434136/SS-Gonzalez,-Blue-Jays-agree-on-one-year-deal. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
   4. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100714&content_id=12248208&vkey=trade2010&fext=.jsp