Former Williamsport Pitcher Killed by Lightning Strike
May 26 - Former Williamsport Cub pitcher Geremi Gonzalez (1994) was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.

Emergency management official Herman Bracho said Monday that Gonzalez was struck by lightning at a beach.

Gonzalez was 4-6 with Williamsport in 1994 with an ERA of 4.22.  His 4 victories led the team.  He was the first Williamsport Cub to reach the majors leagues, when he won 11 games for Chicago in his rookie year. 

He pitched for five major league teams from 1997-2006. The right-hander appeared in 131 major league games with 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record.

Gonzalez also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He made a combined 24 appearances for the Mets and Brewers in his final major league season in 2006.

The Toronto Blue Jays released him during spring training last year. Gonzalez then moved to Japan and pitched in five games for the Yomiuri Giants.

Gonzalez also played in Venezuela's professional baseball league, and pitched this year with the Magellan Navigators.

As the first Williamsport Cub to make the Majors, his number was retired in Williamsport in 1997.

 

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