Adrian Gonzalez officially announced his retirement on Saturday, ending a professional career that spanned 19 years, which included 15 seasons in the Majors.
Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers congratulating the left-handed hitting first baseman, Justin Turner shared a message on social media as well. Turner and Gonzalez were Dodgers teammates from 2014-2017.
Together they helped lead the team to four National League West titles and one World Series appearance. Gonzalez and Turner both established themselves as clubhouse leaders and were equal parts in a popular selfie celebration that became the basis of a bobblehead released by the Dodgers.
Congrats on a great career @Adrian_ElTitan #OGSelfieTakers pic.twitter.com/btNrzdJLpj
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 6, 2022
Gonzalez was selected by the then-Florida Marlins with the first overall pick in the 2000 MLB Draft, but never advanced past the Minor Leagues with the franchise. Gonzalez made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2004.
Gonzalez went on to make his mark with the San Diego Padres from 2006-2010. During that span he was a three-time All-Star, won two Gold Glove Awards and received National League MVP votes in four separate seasons — including a fourth place finish in 2010.
Despite his rise to stardom, the Padres traded Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox after the 2010 season. The ensuing April he signed a seven-year, $154 million contract with Boston. However, he remained with the team for less than two seasons.
On Aug. 25, 2012, the Dodgers and Red Sox completed a blockbuster trade that sent Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to L.A. in exchange for Ivan De Jesus Jr., Rubby De La Rosa, James Loney, Jerry Sands and Allen Webster.
Gonzalez hit .280/.339/.454 with 164 doubles, 101 home runs and 448 RBI in 735 games over parts of six seasons with the Dodgers. It was the longest tenure he spent with any team during his career.
Gonzalez spoke with Turner about Mets
The Dodgers packaged Gonzalez with Charlie Culberson, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy in a December 2017 trade with the Atlanta Braves to acquire Matt Kemp. Atlanta immediately released the veteran first baseman and he went on to sign with the New York Mets in January.
Gonzalez consulted with Turner and received positive feedback on the Mets prior to signing, despite that being the franchise that non-tendered the third baseman.
Gonzalez appeared in just 54 games before getting released in June of the 2018 season.
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