How many times do we ask ourselves if our favorite sports players are playing for the name on the front of their uniform, or for the name on the back of their uniform? While professional athletes play a game for a living, they understand it is a business, and they want to get paid. For maybe the first time in a long time, I listened to an athlete open up and playing for his team, and I believed him. Welcome to the Miami Marlins, Gio Gonzalez.
Born in Hialeah, Florida and playing high school baseball in Miami Gardens, Florida, Gonzalez was eight years old when the Florida Marlins completed their inaugural season in the National League. Having a professional team in his backyard, per se, was motivation for Gio to hone his skills and drive to be the best baseball player he could be.
Hearing Gio Gonzalez talk about playing for his hometown Miami Marlins is refreshing, and lacking in sports today.
Drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox, and after 13 years in the majors, Gonzalez is going home, to play for those same Marlins he grew up cheering for.
Gonzalez has earned more than $73M in his professional career. While most “hangers-on” are looking for a contender to sign with to try and garner the vaunted ring, Gonzalez decided to sign with the team in his old stomping grounds.
How can you not love Gio Gonzalez? https://t.co/fyWxkm1bAl
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) March 9, 2021
Okay, maybe Gonzalez didn’t have any offers from contenders. He’s been on three teams since 2018 and has had to take a minor league contract or two to get jobs. Even this year he is a non-roster invitee to camp with the Marlins.
Hearing the passion in Gonzalez’s voice as he talks about the old logo and the real colors of his team, is inspiring. For as many interviews are our sports heroes give, they often sound mundane. Gonzalez sounded authentic. He sounded like a kid playing in Little League hoping to get selected by the team who shares the same mascot as his favorite Major League team.
Gonzalez is not the twenty game winner and All-Star caliber pitcher he once was. He may not even be a starting pitcher anymore. What he is, is a guy about to pitch in front of his hometown fans while smiling ear to ear, and having fun playing the game he loves.