Mike Gonzalez
Free Agent — No. --
Relief Pitcher
Born: May 23, 1978 (1978-05-23) (age 31) Robstown, Texas
Bats: Right	Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 11, 2003 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics (through 2009 season)
Win-Loss	14-16
Earned run average	2.57
Strikeouts	330
Saves	54
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2003–2006) Atlanta Braves (2007–2009)

Michael Vela Gonzalez (born May 23, 1978 in Robstown, Texas) is a Mexican-American Major League Baseball closer who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 30th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on August 11, 2003. He pitched for the Pirates from 2003 to 2006.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Pittsburgh Pirates

Gonzalez converted all 24 save attempts during the 2006 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates before having his season end early because of an elbow injury.

Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Adam LaRoche on January 17, 2007. Also included in the trade was the Braves sending Jamie Romak to the Pirates and the Pirates sending Brent Lillibridge to the Braves.

[edit] Atlanta Braves

Gonzalez (left) with former Pirates teammate Kip Wells in 2009.

After experiencing a drop in velocity on his fastball in excess of 10 mph (16 km/h) in a game versus the Washington Nationals, the Braves quickly took precautionary measures and placed him on the disabled list on May 16, 2007, with a left elbow strain. After several MRIs showed no damage to his elbow, a more specialized MRI was performed that indeed revealed a slight ligament tear. On May 25, 2007, it was announced that his elbow would require Tommy John surgery and, consequently, he would miss at least the rest of the 2007 season, and possibly the first half of the 2008 season. In 17 innings with the Braves in 2007, Gonzalez posted a 1.59 ERA with a 2-0 record and 2 saves.

Gonzalez made his return on June 18, 2008, pitching a perfect 9th inning and recording a save against the Texas Rangers.

On January 19, 2009, Gonzalez avoided arbitration and signed a one-year $3.45 million dollar contract.

[edit] Motion

Gonzalez has an unusual pitching motion, in which he rocks back and forth before delivering each pitch, this delivery has earned him the nickname "The Cobra", as if he's putting the hitters into a trance before putting them away. When asked if he liked the nickname by the Atlanta Journal Constitution's David O'Brien, he said that it was okay, but he much rather prefers "Gonzo".

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

[edit] External links

• [1]
• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube