Jonny Gomes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jonny Gomes |
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Gomes with the Boston Red Sox in 2014
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| Outfielder / Designated hitter | |||
| Born: November 22, 1980 Petaluma, California, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 12, 2003, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |||
| NPB: March 25, 2016, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 4, 2015, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| NPB: April 20, 2016, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .242 | ||
| Home runs | 162 | ||
| Runs batted in | 526 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .169 | ||
| Home runs | 1 | ||
| Runs batted in | 7 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Jonathan Johnson Gomes, born on November 22, 1980, is an American baseball coach and former player. He used to play as an outfielder. He is currently the minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gomes played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These teams included the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals. His MLB career lasted from 2003 to 2015.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Jonny Gomes grew up in Petaluma, California. He was a talented player at Casa Grande High School. In 1997, when he was 16, he was in a car accident. He was only slightly hurt, but his best friend, Adam Westcott, passed away. Gomes has a tattoo of Westcott's initials on his arm to remember him.
After high school, Gomes went to Santa Rosa Junior College. He improved his baseball skills there. In his second year, he hit well, with a .356 batting average and nine home runs. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays then chose him in the 2001 MLB Draft. While playing in the minor leagues, he also became a certified personal trainer.
In 2002, Gomes had a health scare. He recovered and continued his baseball career.
Jonny Gomes' Professional Baseball Career
Playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Jonny Gomes made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 12, 2003. He spent some time playing for the Triple-A Durham Bulls and the Tampa Bay team in 2004. In 2005, he played so well in Triple-A that he was called back up to the Devil Rays for good. He hit .321 with 14 home runs in just 45 games for the Bulls.
After returning to Tampa Bay, Gomes became an important player. On July 30, 2005, he made history for the team. He was the first player to hit three home runs in one game against the Kansas City Royals. That year, Gomes hit 21 home runs in only 101 games. He was known for his hard work and hitting long home runs. One of his home runs traveled 474 feet! He finished third in the voting for the 2005 American League Rookie of the Year award.
Gomes started the 2006 season very strong. He hit a team-record 11 home runs in April. He hit the catwalks inside Tropicana Field twice in one series. He faced some challenges later in the season due to a shoulder injury. He had surgery on his shoulder in September.
In 2007, Gomes had less playing time at first. His batting average was low when he was sent back to Durham. He was called back up and played more, finishing the season with 17 home runs.
In 2008, Gomes showed his loyalty to his teammates. During a spring training game, he defended Akinori Iwamura after a play. This led to a brief on-field argument. Gomes was suspended for two games for his actions. Later that year, he was suspended for five games after another on-field incident. The Rays made it to the 2008 World Series that year, but Gomes did not play in the series. After the 2008 season, Gomes became a free agent.
Time with the Cincinnati Reds
In 2009, Gomes signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He was called up to the Reds on May 21. On August 13, 2009, he hit three home runs in a game for the second time in his career. This was against the Washington Nationals.
On August 25, 2010, Gomes hit his 100th career home run. This happened in a game where the Reds hit four home runs in one inning. The Reds kept Gomes for the 2011 season.
Playing for the Washington Nationals
Gomes was traded to the Washington Nationals on July 26, 2011. He played 43 games for them, hitting 8 home runs.
Joining the Oakland Athletics
On January 20, 2012, Gomes signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics. He had a good season, hitting .262 with 18 home runs. He played mostly as a designated hitter and in left field. Gomes won the 2012 Catfish Hunter Award for his spirit and leadership.
Winning with the Boston Red Sox
On November 21, 2012, Gomes agreed to a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. His teammates gave him the nickname "Hacksaw Jonny Gomes" because of his intense playing style.
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In his first year in Boston, Gomes hit .247 with 13 home runs. During the 2013 playoffs, the Red Sox won every game that Gomes started in left field.
In Game 4 of the 2013 World Series, Gomes hit a big three-run home run. This helped the Red Sox take the lead in the game. He was not supposed to start that game, but he was added to the lineup at the last minute. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series that year.
Back to the Oakland Athletics
On July 31, 2014, Gomes was traded back to the Oakland Athletics along with pitcher Jon Lester. Gomes said he had a great time in Boston, calling it "the best year and a half that anyone could imagine."
Time with the Atlanta Braves
Gomes signed with the Atlanta Braves for the 2015 season. He quickly became popular with his teammates and fans. He even had a special bobblehead made with teammate Freddie Freeman.
On August 28, 2015, Gomes made his first appearance as a pitcher. He pitched the entire ninth inning in a game where the Braves were losing by a lot. He gave up two runs and got his first strikeout.
Playing for the Kansas City Royals
On August 31, 2015, Gomes was traded to the Kansas City Royals. The Royals won the 2015 World Series that year. Gomes did not play in the postseason games, but he still received a World Series ring.
Playing in Japan
Gomes signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan on February 3, 2016. He played there for a short time before being released on May 6.
Savannah Bananas
In 2022, Gomes played baseball with the Savannah Bananas.
Coaching Career
On February 1, 2018, Jonny Gomes announced he was retiring from playing. He became the hitting coach for the Rookie League team of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2019, he was promoted to be the outfield and baserunning coordinator for the Diamondbacks.
Personal Life
Jonny Gomes is married to Amber Gomes. They got married in 2019. They have three children together, two boys and a girl.
Charity Work
Gomes is known for his charity work, especially in the Tampa Bay area. He has worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local schools. He took part in the "Shop with a Jock" event, where children from the Boys and Girls Clubs got to have lunch with players and go on a $100 shopping spree. He also participated in the "Take Jonny to School" program.
He has sponsored nine Little League teams in his hometown of Petaluma, California. These teams range from T-ball to 12-year-olds. Gomes is also involved with Camp for a Cure. This is an annual charity baseball camp in Petaluma that has raised over $25,000 for cancer and lupus research. He has also visited classrooms to inspire young people to follow their dreams.
Broadcasting Career
During the 2017 baseball season, Gomes worked as a studio analyst for NESN. He also served as a color commentator for some Red Sox games. In 2018, he continued to announce Red Sox games.
See also
In Spanish: Jonny Gomes para niños
