Baseball Passings 2009

[metirish]

A baseball death.

] Preston G�mez, Native of Cuba Who Managed in Major Leagues, Dies at 85 By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN Published: January 14, 2009 Preston G�mez, the Cuban native who became the first full-time major league manager from Latin America when he managed the San Diego Padres in 1969, died Tuesday in Fullerton, Calif. He was 85. Skip to next paragraph The cause was complications from injuries sustained when he was struck by a pickup truck in March 2008, said the Los Angeles Angels, for whom he worked for the last 28 years as a coach and executive. In a professional baseball career that spanned 65 seasons, G�mez managed the Padres, the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs. He was the second Latin manager in the majors, but Mike Gonz�lez, also a Cuban, who managed the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 games during stints in 1938 and 1940, held the post on an interim basis. G�mez was best remembered as a manager for twice lifting a starting pitcher for a pinch-hitter late in a game although he was throwing a no-hitter, and each time G�mez was booed. In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. �I don�t play for the fans, I play to win,� G�mez said. In September 1974, while managing the Astros in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, G�mez sent Tommy Helms to the plate in the eighth inning in Houston to hit for Don Wilson, his starter. Wilson was seeking his third no-hitter, but the Reds led, 2-1. Helms grounded out, and then the Reds� Tony P�rez led off the ninth with a single. G�mez played one season in the major leagues, appearing briefly as an infielder in 1944 for the Washington Senators, who signed many Cuban players. The newly arriving Cubans spoke only Spanish, so they relied on countrymen who had been with the Senators for a while. �If we went to eat, we�d wait for them to order our food,� G�mez once recalled. �They were like our fathers in those days. And we used to go out with girls who wanted to learn Spanish and were interested in trying to help us in the English language.� After playing and managing in the minor leagues and serving as a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, G�mez became the Padres� manager when they joined the National League as an expansion team. Composed largely of castoffs, the Padres finished last in the N.L. West during G�mez�s three full seasons with them. He was fired early in the 1972 season, then managed the Astros in 1974 and �75, and the Cubs for part of 1980. G�mez spent four seasons as a coach for the Angels, then became a special assistant to the general manager, acting at times as a liaison with the Latin players. The Angels� manager, Mike Scioscia, told The Los Angeles Times in 2005 that G�mez �has a special bond with our Latin players� but that �he�s all about baseball and connects with everyone.� G�mez is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; a son, Pedro; a daughter, Elia; an adopted son, Carlos Becerra; a stepdaughter, Claudia Astorg; his brother, Jose; his sisters Rachel Valz and Sara Raspall; and two grandchildren. For all his baseball achievements, G�mez was frustrated in one overriding desire. He yearned for free movement between Cuba and the United States. As he told The Chicago Sun-Times in 1999: �I hope in my lifetime that I will be able to see the day that people can go back and forth.� Recommend More Articles in Sports �

[Benjamin Grimm]

He was the first "manager" baseball card I ever had.

At least, I think so. I recall having his 1971 card, but all I could find online was his 1972:

[Benjamin Grimm]

Nope, I'm wrong:



That's his 1971 card, and it doesn't look at all familiar to me. And I know I had a few 1971 manager cards, including Gil Hodges.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

="Benjamin Grimm":38bpxbf9]He was the first "manager" baseball card I ever had. At least, I think so. I recall having his 1971 card, but all I could find online was his 1972: [/quote:38bpxbf9] I never got the jersey-over-windbreaker look. So many ballplayers used to do this.

metirish Jan 15 2009 01:11 PM

] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run?

batmagadanleadoff Jan 15 2009 01:51 PM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1gam0e1s] ="Benjamin Grimm":1gam0e1s]He was the first "manager" baseball card I ever had. At least, I think so. I recall having his 1971 card, but all I could find online was his 1972: [/quote:1gam0e1s] I never got the jersey-over-windbreaker look. So many ballplayers used to do this.[/quote:1gam0e1s] Those windbreakers you see underneath the uniform were sometimes called "thermal suits" and were intended to be used on colder days. Preston's '72 card was photographed in Candelstick Park. Earlier thermal suits appear to be heavier and more cumbersome. It's possible that at a later point, some of those "thermal suits" were made of thinner material, thus facilitating the use of that suit as much for style as for function. They don't wear those anymore, right? HahnSolo Jan 16 2009 07:11 AM Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager". themetfairy Jan 16 2009 07:17 AM ="HahnSolo":2zhjly8b]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:2zhjly8b] Gil's name was shorter - they had more room for his position on it. Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:03 AM ="metirish"] ] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run? According to Retro Sheet: Harrelson singled. Singleton bunted him over. Shamsky intentionally walked. Jorgensen then pinch ran Cleon Jones singled them over. Bases loaded. Garrett struck out. Foy singled in two. Grote grounded out. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 08:13 AM Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:18 AM ="Edgy DC":3t4lw9qq]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:3t4lw9qq] Exactly. Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:43 AM ="metirish":4hte5aoo] ="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[metirish]

] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory.

How did the Mets score that first run?

[batmagadanleadoff]

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1gam0e1s] ="Benjamin Grimm":1gam0e1s]He was the first "manager" baseball card I ever had. At least, I think so. I recall having his 1971 card, but all I could find online was his 1972: [/quote:1gam0e1s] I never got the jersey-over-windbreaker look. So many ballplayers used to do this.[/quote:1gam0e1s] Those windbreakers you see underneath the uniform were sometimes called "thermal suits" and were intended to be used on colder days. Preston's '72 card was photographed in Candelstick Park. Earlier thermal suits appear to be heavier and more cumbersome. It's possible that at a later point, some of those "thermal suits" were made of thinner material, thus facilitating the use of that suit as much for style as for function. They don't wear those anymore, right? HahnSolo Jan 16 2009 07:11 AM Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager". themetfairy Jan 16 2009 07:17 AM ="HahnSolo":2zhjly8b]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:2zhjly8b] Gil's name was shorter - they had more room for his position on it. Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:03 AM ="metirish"] ] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run? According to Retro Sheet: Harrelson singled. Singleton bunted him over. Shamsky intentionally walked. Jorgensen then pinch ran Cleon Jones singled them over. Bases loaded. Garrett struck out. Foy singled in two. Grote grounded out. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 08:13 AM Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:18 AM ="Edgy DC":3t4lw9qq]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:3t4lw9qq] Exactly. Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:43 AM ="metirish":4hte5aoo] ="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[HahnSolo]

Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".

[Guest themetfairy]

="HahnSolo":2zhjly8b]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:2zhjly8b] Gil's name was shorter - they had more room for his position on it.

Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:03 AM

="metirish"] ] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run? According to Retro Sheet: Harrelson singled. Singleton bunted him over. Shamsky intentionally walked. Jorgensen then pinch ran Cleon Jones singled them over. Bases loaded. Garrett struck out. Foy singled in two. Grote grounded out.

Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 08:13 AM

Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.

metirish Jan 16 2009 08:18 AM

="Edgy DC":3t4lw9qq]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:3t4lw9qq] Exactly. Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:43 AM ="metirish":4hte5aoo] ="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[Met Hunter]

="metirish"] ] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run?

According to Retro Sheet:

Harrelson singled.
Singleton bunted him over.
Shamsky intentionally walked. Jorgensen then pinch ran
Cleon Jones singled them over. Bases loaded.
Garrett struck out.
Foy singled in two.
Grote grounded out.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.

[metirish]

="Edgy DC":3t4lw9qq]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:3t4lw9qq] Exactly.

Met Hunter Jan 16 2009 08:43 AM

="metirish":4hte5aoo] ="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[Met Hunter]

="metirish":4hte5aoo] ="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[metirish]

Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue.

Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM

I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez � manager Eh.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I might've gone for a line break.

preston gomez

� manager

Eh.