'Had a wonderful two years in Japan' The ML's 107-homer hitter retired this year with a record of '8 hits-2 RBIs" and an annual salary of KRW 2 billion (Min Chang-ki's Japanese baseball)

Sep 26, 2024

Mawin Gonzalez, who retires after playing 107 games in two years for the Orix. This year, he played only 23 games due to back pain and other injuries. Photo Capture = Orix Buffaloes SNS

On the 25th, when Orix Buffaloes, who had been seeking to win for four consecutive years, confirmed fifth place, a foreign player announced his retirement from active duty. Venezuelan infielder Marwin Gonzalez (35), who came to Japan last year, will end his professional career with Orix as the last. Orix and Japanese professional baseball are bound to be special to him.

Gonzalez said through the Orix club, "After two wonderful years in Japan, I ended up saying goodbye. I thank my fans for welcoming me warmly. For my family, the time spent in Japan became a valuable memory. Japan will remain in our hearts as a special place."

Gonzalez, who made his major league debut with the Houston Astros in 2012, made a strong impression on Japanese baseball fans in 2013. He hit a heavy hit against Darvish Yu (38, San Diego) after two outs in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 3 (Korea time).

His hit escaped through Darvish's crotch and became a hit. Darvish's milestone, which had one out count left until the perfect game, flew away.

Gonzalez, a switch hitter, played in 1139 games while playing in 11 seasons in the major leagues. He entered the Japanese professional baseball league with 107 home runs in his career.

Orix, who won the 2022 Japan Series, hired Gonzalez to fill the 'Jupo'YOSHIDA Masataka void that left for the Boston Red Sox that winter.

He was on the decline, but he did not show an impactful performance. He played in 84 games and had a batting average of 217-65 hits, 12 homers, 38 RBIs, and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.651. This is Gonzalez's first year in Orix's transfer.

Considering his major league career and annual salary of $1.5 million (about 2 billion won), it is a disappointing performance, and he contributed to Orix's third consecutive Pacific League victory. Japanese media evaluated that Gonzalez contributed to the team with good defense by playing long balls and all infield positions.

Gonzales returned in August after his first-team registration was canceled at the end of May, but he played three games and was out for the season. Orix has never scored in double digits in 137 games this season. Orix is the only team among the 12 teams in both leagues. Photo capture = Sports Nippon Homepage

Gonzales during Houston. He is a member of the 2017 World Series, which was a problem for stealing autographs. Sports Chosun DB

This year, it was not able to operate normally due to back pain and other injuries. He played in 23 games and hit only 131, 8 hits, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 0.365 OPS.

The first-team registration was canceled at the end of May and returned in August, but was out after playing three games. He started at 8-2 base against the Rakuten Eagles on August 13 and recorded no hits in 3 at-bats. At three at-bats, he grounded out to second base, struck out swinging, and threw a fly ball to left field. This was the last game.

He went 0 for 6 in three games he played after returning from injury. His last hit was a heavy hit in the fifth inning against Rakuten on May 8.

He played in 107 games for the Orix over the past two years and posted a batting average of .23-73 hits, 13 home runs, and 40 RBIs. According to the KBO league standard, it is the one between eating and running.

Orix lost two axes on the mound last winter. "Super Aces" Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26) left for the Major League, and left-hander Sakya Yamazaki (31) moved to the Nippon Ham Fighters as an FA. He filled the vacancy of the two starting pitchers who won 27 games relatively well. It is second to the Softbank Hawks, who have a team ERA of 2.82.

The poor batting lineup was serious. He has a team batting average of 234 and 371 points. Both categories are fifth in the league. It is about 64 percent of Softbank (579 points), which is the top scorer.

Super Aces Yamamoto, who moved to the Major League last winter after winning three consecutive Pacific League titles, swept various awards including the Sawamura Award-League MVP last year. Although Yamamoto and left-hander Yamazaki left the team, Orix filled the mound gap relatively well. Photo Capture = Orix Buffaloes SNS

Orix never scored a double digit in 137 games. Of the 12 teams in both leagues, it is the only team without double-digit goals. I played nine-point games four times. There have been 23 Youngbong plaques. This is the club's record.

There are six games left.

huelva@sportschosun.com