Mike Gonzalez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on May 23, 1978, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and attended Robstown High School. After high school, Gonzalez attended San Jacinto College and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin.
Gonzalez was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 30th round of the 1997 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2003 and played for them until 2006. During his time with the Pirates, Gonzalez was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a 2.37 ERA in 2004.
In 2007, Gonzalez signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent. He played for the Braves until 2009 and was a key member of their bullpen. Gonzalez had a 2.42 ERA in 2008 and was named the Braves' Pitcher of the Year.
After his time with the Braves, Gonzalez played for several other teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers. He continued to be used as a relief pitcher and had a career-high 24 saves with the Orioles in 2010.
Gonzalez retired from baseball in 2014 with a career record of 17-24 and a 3.14 ERA. He had 56 saves and 406 strikeouts in 519 innings pitched. Gonzalez was known for his fastball and slider and was a reliable left-handed reliever throughout his career.
Off the field, Gonzalez was involved in several charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club. He also served as a mentor to young players and was known for his positive attitude and work ethic.
In conclusion, Mike Gonzalez had a successful career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for several teams and was known for his fastball and slider. Gonzalez retired in 2014 and was involved in several charitable organizations off the field.
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