Julio Gonzalez (gonzaju01)

Julio Enrique Gonzalez Herrera

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 150 lb.
• Debut August 9, 1949
• Final Game September 25, 1949
• Born December 20, 1920 in Banes, Cuba
• Died February 15, 1991 in Banes, Cuba

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Biographical Information

Right-hander Julio Gonzalez a 27 year old pitcher from Banes, Cuba was signed by the Washington Senators before the 1948 season and assigned to the Havana Cubans of the Florida International League. Gonzalez would throw a 15-13 record with a great 2.18 ERA while pitching 202 innings in his first season in the league, helping his team to the league championship and play-off title.

Julio fell off to an 8-10 record with a 3.48 ERA in 1949 but his teammates still won the league championship and were runners-up to the Tampa Smokers in the play-offs. The big thing for Julio was being called up to the big leagues in early August by the Senators and making his pitching debut on August 9, 1949. Julio showed guts and appeared in 13 games, pitching 34 innings with no decisions and a 4.72 ERA. Unfortunately he didn't impress the owners enough and this would be his one and only chance at the big boys.

Julio would be with the Cubans again in 1950, have a 3-3 record and a 4.50 ERA in just 60 innings, but his teammates won the league title with 101 victories but lost the play-offs in the final round. There was no room for Julio with the Cubans in 1951 and he moved to the Galveston White Caps of the Gulf Coast League in 1951 and went to a 2-6 record and a 7.38 ERA while pitching just 78 innings. This was a jolt for Gonzalez and he went off the radar for two years (1952-1953) but the then 33 year old gave it another try in 1954 and went 3-9 with five different clubs and was almost done.

Gonzalez wouldn't quit and reported back in 1955, appeared in three leagues with three different teams and some how went 6-5 with a 7.23 ERA in 113 innings. This was it for julio, he had six active seasons under his belt, was 34 years or so old and he had to be satisfied with his 37-46 minor league record and a 4.44 ERA while pitching 729 innings. He called it a career and went where old pitchers go, with a lot of good stories to tell.

Julio Enrique (Herrera) Gonzalez passed away on February 15, 1991 at the age of 70 in his native Banes, Cuba.