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May 26, 2008

Former Red Sox pitcher killed by lightning

CARACAS, Venezuela — Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997 and played for the Boston Red Sox in 2005, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.

Emergency management official Herman Bracho said Monday that Gonzalez was struck by lightning at a beach.

Gonzalez pitched for five major league teams from 1997-06. The right-hander appeared in 131 games with 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record.

Gonzalez also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He made a combined 24 appearances for the Mets and Brewers in his final major league season in 2006.

Gonzalez appeared in 28 games for Boston in 2005, compiling a 2-1 record with a 6.11 ERA. He made one appearance in the American League Division Championship that year, allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. Gonzalez also pitched for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2005 going 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA.

“I heard about it. He'd take the ball every day. I'm shocked. You don't expect to hear something like that,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said.

The Toronto Blue Jays released him during spring training last year. Gonzalez then moved to Japan and pitched in five games for the Yomiuri Giants.

“The Chicago Cubs are very saddened today to learn of Geremi Gonzalez’s sudden passing,” general manager Jim Hendry said in a statement.

--AP

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 4:42 PM to Red Sox | Permalink

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