Carlos Gómez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carlos Gómez |
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Gómez with the Texas Rangers in 2017
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: December 4, 1985 Santiago, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| May 13, 2007, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 29, 2019, for the New York Mets | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .252 | ||
| Home runs | 145 | ||
| Runs batted in | 546 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Carlos Argelis Gómez Peña, known as Go-Go, was a professional baseball outfielder. He was born on December 4, 1985, in the Dominican Republic. Carlos played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), including the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Rays. He was chosen for the MLB All-Star Game twice and won a Gold Glove Award for his amazing defense.
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Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Carlos Gómez began his baseball journey at a young age. When he was just 16, he signed with the New York Mets in 2002. People thought he was a "five-tool player," meaning he was great at hitting for power, hitting for average, running fast, throwing well, and fielding well.
He was known for his incredible speed. Even José Reyes, a very fast player for the Mets, said that Carlos was faster than him! In 2006, Carlos played for the Double-A Binghamton Mets. He stole 41 bases, which means he ran to the next base without the ball being hit. He also had 8 triples, which is when a player hits the ball and reaches third base safely.
In 2007, Carlos played for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. He led his league with 17 stolen bases early in the season.
Playing for the New York Mets
Carlos Gómez made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on May 13, 2007. He was only 21 years old, making him the youngest player in the National League at that time. In his first game, he got two hits and stole a base, helping the Mets win. On June 10, he hit his first home run in the major leagues. During his first season, he played in 58 games.
Time with the Minnesota Twins
In 2008, Carlos was traded to the Minnesota Twins. He became their main center fielder. His manager, Ron Gardenhire, gave him the nickname "Go-Go" because of his last name and his incredible speed.
On May 7, 2008, Carlos had a very special game against the Chicago White Sox. He hit for the cycle! This means he hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game. He was one of the youngest players in MLB history to do this.
In 2008, Carlos finished the season with a .258 batting average, 7 home runs, and 33 stolen bases. He was great at hitting bunt singles, which are soft hits that roll just a short distance, making it hard for fielders to get him out. In 2009, he helped the Twins win their division. He also played in his first postseason games.
Years with the Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009. He became a key player for them. In 2011, he was one of the best outfielders in the National League for his defense. He even broke his collarbone making a diving catch, showing how dedicated he was. He returned later that season.
In 2012, Carlos had one of his best seasons yet. He hit 19 home runs and stole 37 bases. Before the 2013 season, he signed a new contract with the Brewers.
The 2013 season was amazing for Carlos. He was named to his first All-Star team, which means he was recognized as one of the best players in the league. He had career highs in many areas, including a .284 batting average, 24 home runs, and 40 stolen bases. He also won the Gold Glove Award for center field, showing he was the best defensive player at his position in the National League. This was a big honor!
In 2014, Carlos had another strong season. He hit 23 home runs and stole 34 bases. During a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he had a disagreement with another player and was suspended for three games. He used this time to rest a minor back injury.
Moving to the Houston Astros
In 2015, Carlos Gómez was traded to the Houston Astros. He helped the Astros win a big playoff game against the New York Yankees by hitting a home run. This win helped them move forward in the playoffs.
In 2016, Carlos played 85 games for the Astros before being released.
Playing for the Texas Rangers
Carlos signed with the Texas Rangers in August 2016. He quickly made an impact, hitting a home run in his first game with the team. He also hit a grand slam, which is a home run with all bases loaded, scoring four runs.
In 2017, Carlos had another incredible moment: he hit for the cycle for the second time in his career! This is very rare in baseball. He played in 105 games for the Rangers that season.
With the Tampa Bay Rays
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In 2018, Carlos signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. On April 22, he hit his first career walk-off home run, which means his home run won the game for his team in the final inning. He played 118 games for the Rays.
Second Time with the Mets
In March 2019, Carlos Gómez rejoined the New York Mets. On May 23, he hit a three-run home run that helped the Mets win a game, which was his first home run with the team in 12 years. He played 34 games before being released in June 2019.
In January 2020, Carlos Gómez announced that he was retiring from professional baseball. On September 24, 2021, he was honored by the Milwaukee Brewers and officially retired as a Brewer, being inducted into their Wall of Honor.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Gómez (beisbolista) para niños
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
