Ex-MLB pitcher killed by lightning

The Associated Press

7:17 PM EDT, May 26, 2008

A Venezuelan government official said former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez died on May 25, 2008 after being hit by lightning at the beach in western Venezuela. Gonzalez started in the major leagues for the Chicago Cubs in 1997 and later played with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. (AP photo / June 29, 2006)

CARACAS, Venezuela - Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, 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 pitched for five major league teams from 1997-06. The right-hander appeared in 131 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.

Gonzalez played for current Cubs manager Lou Piniella in Tampa Bay and was on the mound when Sammy Sosa's corked bat exploded in a game at Wrigley Field on June 3, 2003.

"That's a tragic thing," Piniella said. "He was a nice young man. He was a competitive kid, really good natured. It's a shame, it really is. I liked him a lot."

Brewers manager Ned Yost expressed similar feelings.

"He was so much fun to be around. He was always happy, always smiling," Yost said. "He was a guy that could scare real easy and then horse laugh. He was just one of those guys that when he saw you, he always had a smile on his face."

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.

"The Chicago Cubs are very saddened today to learn of Geremi Gonzalez's sudden passing," general manager Jim Hendry said in a statement.