Geremi Gonzalez passes

Subject: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:41 am

Cubs remember Gonzalez fondly
Former North Side hurler passes after lightning strike
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

•CHICAGO -- The Cubs were saddened by the news that former big league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez was hit by lightning and killed in his native Venezuela.
Gonzalez, 33, who played for five Major League teams, beginning with the Cubs, was struck by lightning on Sunday night in the western state of Zulia, officials said. He was riding a personal watercraft in Lake Maracaibo at the time, according to Antonio Olmos, a friend who witnessed the accident.

"It was raining, and he got down off his watercraft to grab another one," Olmos told a Venezuelan newspaper. "At that moment, lightning struck him in the neck and broke a gold chain he was wearing."

Oneri Fleita, the Cubs player development director, knew Gonzalez, and was shocked at the news.

"Obviously, your condolences go out to the family," Fleita said Monday. "What a tragic, horrific way to lose a family member."

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano said he had heard that Gonzalez was on a boat, and pulling in an anchor when hit. One of the Cubs scouts told Fleita he had heard that Gonzalez was on a jet ski.

"The Chicago Cubs are very saddened to learn of Geremi Gonzalez's sudden passing," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "Geremi began his career as a Cub, leading our pitching staff with 11 wins as a rookie in 1997 and, despite an arm injury, helping the club early in the season a year later to an eventual postseason appearance.

"The organization sends its heartfelt condolences to the family," Hendry said.

The team honored Gonzalez with a moment of silence before the national anthem was played at Wrigley Field on Monday.

Gonzalez signed with the Cubs in 1991, and started his pro career with the Cubs in 1997. He also played with the Tampa Bay Rays and current Cubs manager Lou Piniella as well as the Boston Red Sox, the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets. He last played in the U.S. in 2007 with the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training but was released before Opening Day. He moved to Japan and pitched in five games last year for the Yomiuri Giants.

He was known as Jeremi Gonzalez until joining the Brewers in 2006 and informing the team of the proper spelling of his first name.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:43 am

That's too bad.

Being struck by lighting!

Ouch!

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:52 am

I'm watching the Cubs game...that's how I found out. Sad, but we all gotta go in some fashion!
Condolences to the family. Sudden is never easy.
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:54 am

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:54 am

But it sucks

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:55 am

2-0 Cubs in the third

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 9:58 am

they will be motivated to win this one in his memory---
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:00 am

Did Arnie Harris die too?

I think he was a WGN producer or something

They showed a clip of him

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:43 am

not sure! geez, they got a special going on in Heaven!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:44 am

Sounds like it!

Packed house at Wrigley

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:46 am

81 degrees right now in Chicago.

85 here

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:46 am

But at least they have some ares of shade at Wrigley.

Comerica Park almost none

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:47 am

Gonna be brutal next homestand!

If accuweather is right!

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:47 am

Hope they are wrong!

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:53 am

Muggy here and in Chicago!

I hate this shit!

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:54 am

I bet I won't even be able to wear my Tigers Jacket without sleeves at all the rest of the year

If we get any cool weather; like later this week.

The Tigers will be on the road

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 10:54 am

Stupid Weather!~

Stupid Schedule

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:25 am

Arne Harris died in 2001 according to Wikipedia

He worked at WGN producing Cubs telecasts

R.I.P

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:27 am

Fergie Jenkins sang the 7th inning stretch and they are interviewing him right now in the Cubs broadcast booth

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:27 am

He had 30 CG's in 1971

WOW!

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:37 am

and he can sing too! Big Smile

_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:39 am

Yeah! 2-1 Cubs in the 7th

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:45 am

8th inning! Still 2-1 Cubs; 1 out

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 11:46 am

Nice catch by Soriano

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 12:20 pm

Cubs Win! 3-1 over the Dodgers!

That Go Cubs Song is gay though!

Only thing worse is that stupid song they Play after Tigers Wins at Comerica.

Bring Back Were all behind our baseball team; Go Get Em Tigers Song!

Wh

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 12:46 pm

Yeah, I think ours is "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang.
too disco!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Geremi Gonzalez passes Mon May 26, 2008 8:23 pm

Not anymore