Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Chicago Black Sox this week named Pedro Gomez as their team Hitter of the Year, as the 26-year-old catcher put together the best season of his 6-year BBA career.
Pedro Gomez
“Pedro’s arrival really sparked our season, and helped turn a bottom-of-the-barrel offense into something that approached respectability,” said Vic Caleca, assistant to the assistant general manager. “Without him, there’s no way we win 95 games or, in all likelihood, even make the playoffs.”
When Gomez arrived, the Sox were scuffling along at 21-16, unable to put together any consistent winning streak. After he joined the lineup, though, Chicago went 12-6 to finish out May, and began a 10-game winning streak that bled over into June and helped boost the Sox into serious playoff contention.
“In an odd way, Chicago probably needs to thank Aaron Weiner of the Rockville Pikemen for Gomez’s arrival,” said Malcolm Wilkes, who covers the Heartland Division for BBA Weekly. “He challenged the Sox in the league’s Media Guide to make a consequential move and shake things up, and they took him up on it – and never looked back.”
Gomez hasn’t looked back, either.
“This worked out great for me – I love the city, I love the fans!” he said.
Oddly, he even loved hitting in Black Sox Park, which is notoriously tough on batters. Gomez slashed .328/.373/.546 at home.
“I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” Gomez said. “Sox Park has a good hitting background and nice big outfields gaps to hit doubles into. I think a lot of that pitchers park/hitters park stuff is just psychological.”
Whatever the explanation, Gomez made himself at home in Chicago.
And the Sox seem inclined to make sure he calls Chicago home for years to come.