When looking back at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ current stretch of eight consecutive National League Division titles, several players stand out for their contributions. One of them is Adrian Gonzalez, who spent parts of six seasons with the organization.
Gonzalez came over to the Dodgers in the blockbuster 2012 trade with the Boston Red Sox and immediately anchored the first base position. He was a Gold Glove Award winner, Silver Slugger and All-Star during his time in L.A.
Gonzalez played his final season with the Dodgers in 2017 as he was traded to the Atlanta Braves that ensuing winter. After being granted his release, Gonzalez went on to sign with the New York Mets, with whom he appeared in 54 games during the 2018 campaign.
The 38-year-old has been out of the Majors since then but remains active in baseball. According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, Gonzalez signed with the Guadalajara Mariachis of the Mexican League for the 2021 season to prepare for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo:
“If I can accomplish those four, that’s like the grand slam of representing Mexico,” he said. “That is the only reason I have not retired yet.”
Gonzalez has represented Mexico in youth competition, the Caribbean World Series and the World Baseball Classic on several occasions. He now hopes to do so in the Olympic Games, which originally were supposed to be held last summer.
Mexico has already qualified for the 2021 Olympics, so Gonzalez believes this is his best chance at living out his dream.
Baseball has not been part of the Olympic Games since 2008. After this year’s competition, it won’t return until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Gonzalez holds interest in broadcasting career
After he retired from baseball, Gonzalez noted that he wanted to become a broadcaster. Last year he joined the Fox Sports Deportes Baseball team and made his debut for a Dodgers-L.A. Angels game.
Prior to that, Gonzalez made a few guest appearances on the Dodgers’ broadcast channel, SportsNet LA.
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