Alex González

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**Alex González**
Major League Baseball debut
Cincinnati Reds — No. 2
Shortstop
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
August 26, 1998 for the Florida Marlins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Avg	.246
HR	90
RBI	425
Former teams
Florida Marlins (1998-2005) Boston Red Sox (2006)

For the other professional infielder named Alex Gonzalez, see Alex S. Gonzalez

Alexander González (born February 15, 1977 in Cagua, Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball shortstop who plays for the Cincinnati Reds. Previously, González played with the Florida Marlins (1998-2005) and Boston Red Sox (2006). He bats and throws right handed.

González' speed and range have enabled him to make acrobatic plays, quickly drawing comparisons to Venezuelan shortstops like Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepción and Omar Vizquel. His defensive tools were so masterful that by 1999 he established himself as an All-Star.

González is able to make some contributions on offense as well. He hits with considerable power by middle infielder standards, and is considered a good bunter. However, he frequently swings at pitches out of the strikezone, and this poor plate discipline combined with an inability to make consistent contact has caused many to see him as a limited hitter. His most productive season came In 2004, when he posted career-numbers in home runs (23), RBI (79), games played (159) and turns at bat (561).

Before the 2006 season, the Boston Red Sox signed González as a free agent to a one-year contract worth $3 million, plugging a hole in the starting lineup after the trade of shortstop Edgar Rentería to the Atlanta Braves. González committed 32 errors in the last two seasons (16 each), compared to the 30 committed by Edgar Rentería in his only season with the Red Sox. Gonzalez' signing with the Sox marks the second time he has replaced Renteria as the shortstop; Renteria had just left the Marlins for the St. Louis Cardinals before Gonzalez joined the team in 1998. On November 18, 2006 he signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds for 14 million dollars, over three seasons.

[edit] Highlights

Made the National League All-Star team in 1999.
In 17 post-season games, hit .161 (10-for-62) with one home run and six RBI.
González played an important role in the 2003 World Series against the Yankees. After going 1-for-13 in the post-season, he hit a walk-off home run in the 13th inning of Game Four to gave the Marlins a 4-3 victory and a 2-2 tie in the Series. The extra-inning happened because Florida's closer Ugueth Urbina blew a 3-1 lead in the ninth. Then in Game Five, González hit a two-out game-tying double and scored later in a new Marlins victory. González added an extra run in the sixth and final game, when he slid around catcher Jorge Posada, eluding him and brushing the plate with his left hand. Florida beat the odds with a 2-0 victory and won the World Championship.