Former Cub Gonzalez Dead at 33

by Galvan316 on May 26, 2008 11:41 AM CDT

Former Major League pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.

Emergency management official Herman Bracho said Monday that Gonzalez was struck by lightning at a beach.

Gonzalez pitched for five Major League teams from 1997-2006, appearing in 131 games, 83 of them starts, and compiling a 30-35 record.

The right-hander also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He made a combined 24 appearances for the Mets and Brewers in his final Major League season in 2006.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080526&content_id=2774705&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Gonzalez family.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Woe... That is tragic.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on May 26, 2008 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

talk about such an unexpected and very rare event

I remember him very well when he was pitching for the Brewers and Mets in 06. Didn’t he pitch really well against us and everyone was angry because he wasn’t that good but dominated us?

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on May 26, 2008 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

It is Jeremi Gonzalez

Very tragic.

"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."

by MDBNIU on May 26, 2008 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

Actually it is

Geremi

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on May 26, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

In all fairness...

... when Gonzalez was with the Cubs, his name was always spelled Jeremi. I’ve seen it both ways.

DmL

by dmlichte on May 26, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

It was Jeremi originally...

... until Gonzalez himself asked for it to be changed. His given name in Venezuela was “Geremis”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 26, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

goes to show you no matter who or what you are-when its your time-its your time. take the time in life to spend it with loved ones as much as possible. my thought and prayers go out to his family. i cant believe there hasnt been a memorial day thread yet but thank you to any and all veterans who have defended our country or had a loved one die in the process. without you we wouldnt be here today and for that i’m very thankful.

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 26, 2008 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Gonzalez

I always wondered what could have been for him without the injuries, He showed a heck of a lot of promise in 2007.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

Oops 1997.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

That's terrible news...

...I always rooted for Geremi when he made it back to the majors with Tampa Bay, as his career appeared to be over following the arm injury that he suffered in 1998.

Just to clarify, he was known as “Jeremi” when pitching for the Cubs but later started going by “Geremi” to reflect the spelling of his given name, which was “Geremis”.

I may be mistaken but wasn’t Gonzalez the opposing pitcher when Sosa was found be using a corked bat?

by LaddieRenfroe on May 26, 2008 4:33 PM CDT reply actions

You are absolutely right.

Here’s the boxscore from that game on June 3, 2003.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 26, 2008 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes he was as Al replied.

BY the way I actually have a picture of Mr. Renfroe. At one of those charity events they were 2 to a table and he was with Sandberg. I got his autograph one of the few people who asked for his as well as Rynos.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Sad story and condolences to his family.

However, you quoted this verbatim from an AP report without citing it. Don’t forget to blockquote.

With that out of the way, this is very sad. I hope his family is taken care of.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 26, 2008 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

Paul Sullivan

wrote a nice remembrance of Gonzalez, and his post has a picture of Gonzales in his Cubs uniform that season. From the story:

I covered Gonzo’s rookie year with the Cubs in 1997, when he was one of the only bright spots during a bleak season that started out with 14 consecutive losses. At the time, he spelled his name "Jeremi," had a tattoo on his left arm of a baseball with flames shooting out of it, and liked to blow bubbles while he was in the middle of his delivery.

by dfrancon on May 26, 2008 6:19 PM CDT reply actions