MLB Legacies: Juan Gonzalez
Baseball is a legendary sport. Dubbed “America’s favorite pastime” it has seen its fair share of incredible players and record-breaking successes throughout the years.
Only the best of the best can play Major League Baseball (MLB) and work their way to the championship. Feel free to check out MLB spreads for current statistics about the next MLB season.
One of these legendary players is Juan González. If you’d like to learn more about this impressive player, all you need to do is read on.
Early Life
Born in Puerto Rico on October 20, 1969, Juan González was destined to be a baseball star. He grew up hitting bottle caps and corks with the handle of a broomstick but had dreams of making it big in the baseball world. And he delivered!
Juan González spent a total of 16 years in the MLB and played as an outfielder for four teams. However, he is most remembered for his time with the Texas Rangers (1989–1999 and 2002–2003).
MiLB Career
At just 16 years old, González was signed as an amateur free agent with the Texas Rangers.
He made his baseball debut in 1986 with the GCL Rangers to relative success, further improving with the Gastonia Rangers just a year later.
He moved to the Charlotte Rangers in 1988 and the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1990. During this run, he was also recognized as the top prospect in the American Association.
Notably, during the 1989-90 season while playing for the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, González managed .269, .345, and .500 with the Criollos de Caguas. He also hit nine home runs, just behind Greg Vaughn, the former league leader.
MLB Career
Texas Rangers
In 1992, aged 22, Juan González became the youngest baseball player to dominate the majors since 1970 when Johnny Bench was in charge.
González achieved true stardom in 1993 with the Rangers, proving that all the MLB rumors are true.
He managed to lead the AL for a second consecutive year with a total of 46 bombs. He also increased his batting average by 50 points to a total of .310, alongside a slugging percentage of .632 that saw him lead the league.
During his time with the Rangers, González also became the first five-time Rangers Player of the Year Award.
Moving Around
González also experienced his fair share of team changes while playing in the league. We’ll discuss these moves below.
Detroit Tigers
González was traded to the Tigers following the 1999 season. After a pretty disappointing season with the Tigers, González refused a move to New York and went on to see a huge production dip to an all-time low. He was granted free agency at the end of 2000.
Cleveland Indians
In 2001, he signed with the Cleveland Indians. González had a season-best 15-game hitting streak from August 29 – September 19 at .345 (20–58) and successfully regained his MVP form.
Back to Texas
His performance was enough to warrant the interest of the Rangers who were eager for a reunion. So, in January 2002, just one season later, he made his return to Texas. He hit eight home runs in a total of 70 games and became the first-ever Puerto Rican player, and the overall MLB player, to hit a total of 400 career home runs in June 2002.
In 2003, he had one final solid season with a total of 24 home runs. Despite being on track to recapture his form from 2001, this season was cut short due to a tear in his calf muscle. He was granted free agency in October 2003.
The Beginning of the End
He signed with the Kansas City Royals in January 2004, playing 33 games with the team. Unfortunately, his back worsened and his season quickly ended in May.
He played a single game with Cleveland in 2005 just before his career came to a close. He officially retired from the MLB following this season with nearly 2,000 hits, a .295 batting average, and 434 home runs.
Post-MLB Career
Juan González was recognized as the manager and head coach of the National Puerto Rico team in 2018. He debuted in this position at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2018.
Then, in 2019, he was announced as the manager of the Puerto Rico national team to prepare for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
He is currently the owner of Vega Baja, his hometown baseball team, which compete in Puerto Rico’s Confederative Baseball League. Here, he also plays as DH.
A Lasting Legacy
González’s consistency on the baseball field has established him as one of the greatest names to ever play the sport. He left a lasting legacy on all the teams he was signed to throughout his career.
For his efforts, he has received plenty of recognition. In 2012 he was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame, and then the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. González is also the Rangers’ all-time leader with a grand total of 372 home runs, a .565 slugging percentage, and 1,180 RBIs. In 2015, he was Inducted into the Rangers hall of fame.
