Mike González (pitcher)

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name = Mike González
team = Atlanta Braves
number = 51
position = Relief pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1978|5|23
birthplace = city-state|Robstown|Texas
bats = Right
throws = Left
debutdate = August 11
debutyear = 2003
debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates
statyear = 2008 season
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 9-12
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 2.62
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 240
teams =
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|2003-by|2006)
*Atlanta Braves (by|2007-present)

Michael Vela González (born May 23, 1978 in Robstown, Texas) is a Major League Baseball closing pitcher currently playing for the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 30th round of the by|1997 Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on August 11, by|2003. He pitched for the Pirates from 2003 to by|2006. With a fastball consistently clocked in the mid-90's and a devastating late-breaking slider, González has earned a reputation as one of the most overpowering relievers in baseball.

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

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

After experiencing a drop in velocity on his fastball in excess of 10 mph 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 by|2008 season. In 17 innings with the Braves in 2007, González posted a 1.59 ERA with a 2-0 record and 2 saves.

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

Motion

González 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".

External links

* [http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/05/01/braves_0502.html]
* [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=283166 MLB Profile]
*espn mlb|id=7207|name=Mike González
*baseball-reference|id=g/gonzami02|name=Mike Gonzalez