Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - Preston Gomez, a life-long baseball man with 28 years working experience in the Angels organization, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85. He died of complications from injuries that occurred when he was struck by a truck while walking to his car during Spring Training in Arizona last March. Gomez, who worked in the sport as a scout, coach, manager and executive, was part of the Angels organization for the last 28 years. He most recently served as a special assistant to the general manager. "His influence and impact on so many throughout the industry is impossible to measure," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. "The Angels family has lost one of its invaluable members, and one of baseball's truly great ambassadors." He began his playing career as a fresh-faced 21-year-old shortstop for the Washington Senators after getting called up during the roster-depleted World War II time. He played in eight games before spending the remainder of his playing time in the minors. Gomez was the first manager in San Diego Padres history, taking over the reins of the expansion franchise in 1969. He managed their for four seasons before becoming the skipper in both Houston (1974-75) and with the Chicago Cubs (1980), compiling a 346-529 record in seven total seasons. He began his ascension in the Angels organization as a third-base coach from 1981-1984 before becoming a special assistant to the general manager. |
