Consider it the honeymoon period for Gio Gonzalez. The Nationals’ new left-handed pitcher, expected to help anchor the starting rotation with Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann for the next five years, didn’t really get a ton of attention in small-market Oakland, where the A’s are always trying to duct tape a competitive team together due to a tight budget.
They’ve been pretty good at it over the years. But Gonzalez was part of the latest established veteran-for-prospects trade from that organization. That meant Gonzalez traded his green-and-gold uniform for the curly “W”.
My guess. You’ll like Gonzalez. He’s got some personality to him, for sure. He’d never been to the District before. He came with his parents, Yolanda and Max, and assorted family and friends. His impressions?
“Last night, I visited the Lincoln Memorial. When you’ve never been here, you appreciate everything that’s going on,” Gonzalez said. “When we got here, it was so exciting to see all these things that you’ve never seen. When we got here, we enjoyed. We were running up the [Lincoln Memorial] steps, screaming, ‘Rocky!’ Obviously the wrong city, but we were screaming. We also saw where Forrest Gump was shot. We quoted a lot of movies – Independence Day. We did everything. We definitely had great memories here.”
The entertainment value of that quote is off the charts. But it also gives you some insight into how much Gonzalez is looking forward to this. When his dad tried to push to see more monuments on a cold winter’s day, Gonzalez had to tell him to relax. With a new five-year contract and two team option years he’s going to be here a while – provided good health and reasonable production, of course. He was even thrilled about the cheers he got at the Capitals-Bruins hockey game at Verizon Center on Tuesday when his image flashed on the big HD scoreboard. Didn’t throw his hat on the ice after Mathieu Perreault’s hat trick, but seemed genuinely happy the Caps beat the Bruins.
A dozen reporters surrounded Gonzalez – a pack the size of which he said he only met with after starts in Oakland. The 26-year-old played high school baseball with Nats first base prospect Chris Marrero, who played at the same high school, Monsignor Pace in Miami. Marrero, out until July with a hamstring tear, was a sophomore when Gonzalez was a senior there. He played travel ball against Nats shortstop Ian Desmond, who grew up in Sarasota.
So there are at least a few tenuous ties to the organization. But there will be some adjustments for Gonzalez. A good one? No more facing designated hitters. A bad one? Stepping to the plate himself.
“I think swinging the bat is going to be the hardest adjustment,” Gonzalez said. “From my highlights of my swinging, it’s not the prettiest highlights. I definitely want to say I will try to make adjustment, I will try to do my best to try to bunt it down and try to slow it down running to first base and try not to pull anything.”
Another positive, though, is pitching to catcher Wilson Ramos, who had a fine rookie season behind the plate. He threw out 32.4 percent of runners attempting to steal and crafted a reputation as a solid game manager.
“I heard [Ramos] was fantastic. I heard you could close your eyes, he’ll call the game and you could feel comfortable,” Gonzalez said before turning lighthearted. “That’s definitely the kind of catcher I love to have. I always quote off [Miami Marlins pitcher] Mark Buehrle – ‘If I give up a home run, it’s the catcher’s fault.’ That’s the goal I want to go with. We’re both going to do our homework. We’re both going to study the team. No pressure on him, but it’s on you buddy.”
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