Luis Gonzalez continues on his veteran leadership ways spearheading a gift for the Marlins PR director, Matt Roebuck .
The gift was almost as big as Matt Roebuck, whose face was as red as his hair Wednesday, when the Marlins presented him with a huge trophy for running in the Boston Marathon.
Roebuck, the team's director of media relations, was sponsored in the race by outfielderLuis Gonzalez and wore a shirt that read ``Team Gonzo.''
It was Gonzalez who called ahead to Atlanta to get the wheels in motion for the trophy. Give Braves clubhouse manager John Holland a big assist for getting the trophy on such short notice. All the Marlins chipped in to pay for it.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez called the entire team out to the dugout at 4:40 p.m. for what he called a ''special presentation,'' and Roebuck was stunned. The trophy even had the Boston Marathon emblem -- and Roebuck's time: 4 hours, 56 minutes, 44 seconds.
Of course, Gonzo couldn't leave it at just arranging Roebeck's trophy .
"Take a lap around the field," outfielder Luis Gonzalez said. Still stiff, Roebuck quipped: "I can barely walk." Gonzalez actually sponsored Roebuck, helping him with some expenses to cover his trip to Boston.
And I wouldn't want to leave out that Mr. Roebeck finished the event behind Curt Schilling's wife.
Schilling's wife, Shonda, also competed at the Marathon, and her time was about six minutes ahead of Roebuck.
Not sure what that adds to the story, but I found it interesting.
Luckily for Matt, Gonzo has become his default endurance event planner, whether he wants him to or not.
Gonzalez on Wednesday tried to engage Roebuck in another endurance test: the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim in California.
Gonzo said he would sponsor the event. Roebuck declined.
I don't know how many home runs, RBI, doubles or singles Gonzalez will hit this season, but I can say this without a doubt: he is one interesting guy to have on the team.