Is Juan Gonzalez Coming Back?

There was a stretch back in the 90's where Juan Gonzalez seemed like a perennial threat to Hack Wilson's record of 190 RBIs in a single season (random trivia alert: Wilson picked up his 191st RBI in 1999 when an official scorer found an extra RBI on the books that belonged to Hack). He was a one-man wrecking crew in Texas from '96-'99 and had a big 2001 season in Cleveland.

After that, Juan Gone fell off the face of the planet, playing bits and pieces of the next three seasons back in Texas and Kansas City. He tried a comeback with Cleveland in 2005 and tore his hamstring in his only at-bat that year, ending his career for good. At least that's what we all assumed. His named popped up in some independent leagues, but never with a Major League club. Never until now, that is. Apparently, the Cardinals are thinking about giving Gonzo a shot at spring training this year.

I don't know exactly what it was that sparked the Cards' interest. His mention in the Mitchell Report, maybe? I mean I know Jim Edmonds is gone now, but I don't think that a guy that's had as many torn hammies as at-bats in the past three seasons is really going to solve anything.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-31-2008 @ 2:03PM

rick sauceda said...

For ALL you Juan Gonzalez haters, just remember he is almost 40. He will propably put up 25 homers and knock in 85 rbis, maybe more with the weak pitching of the NL. Sammy Sosa type numbers of the 07 season. I have been a Juan Gonzalez fan for 18 years and JOKE is the last word i would refer to him as. With the prices of salaries now and the lack of talent in the free agent market. He will be a steal for the Cards. Just watch. You will eat your words Mr. Jokes.

1-18-2008 @ 12:48AM

captain said...

what a waste of breath talking about this loser he turned down 180 million dollar contract from detroit ...gosh I am glad he did .

1-18-2008 @ 11:32AM

lavoydavid said...

Any organization that would waste more than .10 cents on this joker is foolish. He has stolen from the last three teams that have ill-advisedly given him contracts....Cleveland, Kansas City, Texas. Between his broken down steroid abused body and his prima donna attitude, not to mention his one AB in the last four years, this casualty has as much chance of finding himself in a Big League uniform in 2008 as does George Mitchell! As A Detroit Tiger fan, all I can say is "Thank God" he turned down the 10 year 140 million dollar contract Mr. Ilitch offered him several years ago to become the "face of the franchise"...

1-18-2008 @ 2:18PM

Kirk said...

Juan Gone's picked a most inopportune time to re-surface. As the spotlight on those who flourished in the steroid era, becomes more, and more glaring, one has to think that he's put the cart before the horse! Isn't NOW the time when he needs to run, and hide? Strange personality, indeed!