Preston Gómez

Preston Gómez (April 20, 1923 – January 13, 2009) was a Cuban- infielder, manager, coach and front-office official in Major League Baseball best known for managing three major league clubs: the San Diego Padres (1969-72), Houston Astros (1974-75) and Chicago Cubs (1980). He was born Pedro Gómez Martinez in Preston, Cuba, and was given his nickname in U.S. professional baseball from his birthplace. A right-handed batter and thrower, Gómez played e... more

Preston Gómez (April 20, 1923 – January 13, 2009) was a Cuban- infielder, manager, coach and front-office official in Major League Baseball best known for managing three major league clubs: the San Diego Padres (1969-72), Houston Astros (1974-75) and Chicago Cubs (1980). He was born Pedro Gómez Martinez in Preston, Cuba, and was given his nickname in U.S. professional baseball from his birthplace. A right-handed batter and thrower, Gómez played eight major league games as a shortstop and second baseman for the 1944 Washington Senators, hitting .286 in seven at bats with two runs batted in. He spent the next two decades in minor league baseball, playing and then, from the mid-1950s onward, managing in the farm systems of the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. His 1959 Havana Sugar Kings were champion of the International League and won the Junior World Series. In 1965, Gómez became third-base coach of the Dodgers, serving through 1968 and two National League... less