Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was elected into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame. He becomes the 39th overall player and joins Carl Crawford (2014) as the two most recent Dodgers elected.
The fall prior to making his Major League debut with the Texas Rangers in 2004, Gonzalez played for the Peoria Saguaros. “Adrian Gonzalez long ago established himself as the ideal first baseman and teammate,” AFL director Steve Cobb said in a released statement.
“A remarkable model of consistency and durability since making his Major League debut in 2004, Adrian is the personification of a ‘pro’s pro.'”
Gonzalez was selected No. 1 overall by the then-Florida Marlins in the 2000 Draft. He played sporadically for the Rangers in 2004 and 2005, then entrenched himself full time in the Majors with the San Diego Padres.
He batted .288/.374/.514 with 161 home runs and 501 RBI in 799 games over five seasons with San Diego. Through 142 games played this season, Gonzalez is a .283/.344/.464 hitter with 97 home runs and 407 RBI in five seasons with the Dodgers.
Gonzalez is a five-time All-Star, and has won a Silver Slugger Award and at least one Gold Glove in each league.
Dusty Baker (2001), Nomar Garciaparra (2001), Mike Piazza (2001), Shawn Green (2003) and Mike Scioscia (2003) are also among those enshrined in the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame and with ties to the Dodgers organization.
Piazza was immortalized at Cooperstown in July, though dons a New York Mets cap on his Hall of Fame plaque.
