Former Dodgers Star Adrian Gonzalez Surprises High School Players
While I could be writing about the Los Angeles Dodgers against Gerrit Cole in game one of the 2019 World Series, a feel good story awaits.
Moreover, just when you think you have written your final Adrian Gonzalez story; he goes and does something like this. Indeed, ‘this’ is Gonzalez showing up at Canyon High School baseball practice on Monday. Apparently, Gonzalez showed up to the practice as a part of a SoCal Honda Dealers ‘Random Acts of Helpfulness campaign’. Still, it’s a nice gesture for anyone of Gonzalez’s prestige to give up their time for youth.
Adrian Gonzalez throwing batting practice to Tyler DeYoung at Canyon High School! Thank you Helpful Honda and Adrian Gonzalez for taking the time to spend an afternoon with us! Something we will never forget! @HelpfulHonda pic.twitter.com/7v48ZCAeto
— Canyon Cowboy Baseball (@CowboyBaseball1) October 21, 2019
While the appearance got the high school athletes excited, they didn’t know who was showing up at first. Simply, they just knew it was someone who was a baseball player.
“I had no clue (who it could be),” said Canyon pitcher Jace Root. “Someone screamed out Cody Bellinger or like Max Muncy, but I had no idea. No one came to mind. Once I realized who it was, I was like, ‘Wow that is insane,’” Root, a senior, said.
Then after the appearance to wow players like Root, Gonzalez called his own number. For example, he stepped in the batter’s box and took some batting practice after throwing a round of it to several players.
“It just kind of shows that the type of level you have to be at in order to get there,” Root said. “I’m a pitcher and he was a hitter, so I don’t really correspond, but I kind of learned what a major league baseball looks like. It comes off the bat pretty hard.”
Undeniably, Gonzalez had an accomplished big league career. While he hasn’t officially retired, in parts of 15 seasons, he smacked 317 career home runs with a .287 average. Perhaps this is why when he walked onto the the field at Canyon High School, players took huge notice.
Good on you, Adrian.
Agons sudden drop off in 2017 was odd. He went from solid to injury ridden in 16 and 17 and then gone for good. So fast
Yeah, that was odd. He did not leave on good terms with the Dodgers. Something happened. The Dodgers are well known for “being business.”
It’s not some deep conspiracy……Bellinger was ready………I think that’s just who Adrian is/was……that man had integrity and he was outspoken…….people who tell the truth and speak their mind tend to get pushed out by management quickly when the results no longer outweigh dealing with their opinions on things ……when the Dodgers decided he was no longer their starter at first base (that the results just were not there at the plate any longer), it was obvious. (he was still having back issues) His batting average dropped from from .285 to .242………he was no longer able to drive in runners when the opportunities presented themselves. I loved me some Adrian. But Adrian was not the kind of guy to hang around playing second fiddle to anyone….(insert Bellinger here)……off to the Mets, and when it did not work out there, he had to accept it. He’s a great guy IMO.