Orlando Gómez
(Redirected from Orlando Gomez)
Juan Alejandro Gomez
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- Born June 24, 1946 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico
Biographical Information[edit]
Catcher Juan Gomez signed with the New York Yankees in 1964. He would play 671 games in the minors over 13 seasons, mostly with Oakland A's organization. He reached AAA in 1975, but never made it to "The Show."
Following his playing days, Gomez embarked on a long career as a coach, manager, and scout using the name Orlando Gomez. He started as a manager for the Medicine Hat A's in 1977. According to his 1988 baseball card, he then managed an amateur team in Puerto Rico from 1978-1979. Gomez joined the Texas Rangers organization as a scout in 1980-1981 and subsequently continued scouting for a number of years on a part-time basis. His signees include Ruben Sierra and Jerry Browne. Gomez returned to the playing field in 1982 as a coach for the Tulsa Drillers before spending the next three years managing in the Rangers' player development system.
In 1986 Gomez joined the Cleveland Indians organization as a manager and scout. He started the 1987 season managing the Buffalo Bisons, but switched managerial positions with Williamsport Bills manager Steve Swisher on May 20th. He left the Indians' organization after the season.
The Rangers rehired Gomez in 1988 and he managed the Gastonia Rangers for three years. Gomez ascended to the major leagues for the first time when the Rangers named him their bullpen coach for the 1991 season. He started 1992 as the team's first base coach, but moved to bench coach on July 16th. This move followed the firing of manager Bobby Valentine on July 9th and the promotion of bench coach Toby Harrah to manager for the remainder of the season. When Kevin Kennedy took over as manager for the 1993 season, Gomez was not retained.
Gomez next moved was to the Seattle Mariners. He coached the Bellingham Mariners in 1993-1994. He managed in the Mariners system from 1995-1997. In 1998 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays hired Gomez as their bullpen coach and he retained this job through the 2000 season. He did have a brief stint as a third base coach in 1998 when the incumbent Greg Riddoch suffered a season ending injury in late August. Gomez rejoined the Mariners organization in 2001 as a hitting coach for the San Antonio Missions and held the same position with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2002. He was again promoted to the Mariners coaching staff and served as their bullpen coach in 2003-2004.
In 2005 Gomez was hired by the Baltimore Orioles and he remained with the Orioles organization until he retired following the 2016 season. He spent his first three seasons as a bullpen catcher & batting practice pitcher for the Orioles. The remaining years of his Orioles tenure were spent managing in their minor league system. Altogether Gomez devoted 53 years to baseball as a player and coach.
During the winter months, Gomez also coached in his native Puerto Rico.
- 1980/1981 Manager Indios de Mayagüez
- 1986/1987 Manager Leones de Ponce
- 1987/1988 Manager Ponce
- 1991/1992 Manager Ponce
- Start - 12/6/1992 Manager Ponce
- 1999/2000 Bench coach Criollos de Caguas
- 11/18/2003 - end, 2003/2004 Manager Mayagüez - replaced Ed Romero
Gomez may have coached or managed other winter seasons as well - these are the years that could be verified with English language sources.
He is the father-in-law of José Hernández.
Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]
Sources: MiLB.com
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