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Gio Gonzalez’s tenure with his hometown Miami Marlins lasted less than one month. The two-time MLB All-Star announced Thursday on Instagram that his playing career is over:
Since the age of 4, my father and my mother introduced me and my younger brother to this sport called baseball, 31 years later, still played baseball, so many people I wanna thank from the bottom of my heart starting with the White Sox who took a chance with me, a young kid from HIALEAH, FL! The Oakland A’s who gave me my first career win, who showed me unconditionally love from the clubhouse, the staff who worked at the stadium and most important the incredible fans that stood by us in our good and bad seasons,the reporters who took the time to get to know me! THANK YOU!
Washington nationals, what an incredible 7 years you gave me and my family, because of you I will forever be thankful, you helped me become the man/ father I am today, the most unbelievable love I could ever ask for! So happy for the World Series title your team and fans WELL DESERVED! So many incredible people I have met in my time there, that helped with me and my family, THANK YOU!
Milwaukee, OMG MILWAUKEE, in a year and some change, TWO PLAYoff runs, with guys till this day I consider my brothers, btw best travel in baseball hands down!
The White Sox full circle, drafted me at the age of 18 and met back up 12 years later, thank you for giving me a chance to put on a major league jersey and pitch for the team that drafted me, truly special moment!
To the Yankees, truly world class treatment, thank you!
Last but definitely not least to the Miami MARLINS, wow! This was one of my biggest dreams was to pitch in front of the home crowd, the WHOLE CITY OF HIALEAH AND ALL OF DADE / BROWARD, I gave it one last fight, unfortunately my body wasn’t keeping up with my mind lol,
Damn I loved the team and staff,what a great relationship and understanding,thank you for giving my my final shot, thank you Donnie for stepping in the box in my final bullpen, I will always remember that! with this being my final note, thank you to ALL MY TEAMMATES /COACHING STAFF and front office personnel / the Wilson glove company who Stayed with me through my entire career, the Jordan brand family 14 unforgettable years! My heart and my mind are finally at peace with my decision, here’s one last tip of the cap ! I’m coming home to my wonderful family I❤️U
Gonzalez pitched only once for the Fish in an official game (Mar. 20 relief appearance), getting lit up by the Nationals. He didn’t hint at retirement when addressing the media postgame, but his poor command and quality of stuff made it clear he’d be on the outside looking in at Miami’s Opening Day roster. Nearly 65% of Fish Stripes readers took the over on my estimate of Gonzalez pitching 30 innings during the 2021 regular season.
Without the 35-year-old southpaw, the Marlins are sorely lacking a traditional “veteran presence” on their starting pitching depth chart. However, they’ve been fortunate this spring from an injury perspective—outside of prospect Edward Cabrera (right biceps nerve inflammation), all of the team’s most experienced and highest-upside rotation candidates are finishing up the Grapefruit League in perfect health.
On behalf of the Fish Stripes staff, I congratulate Gio Gonzalez on a terrific career. More than $73 million earned in total salary! Excited to see all the good he’ll continue to do for the South Florida community moving forward.