Preston Gomez Essentials Positions: Bats: R Throws: R Height: 71 Weight: 170 Born: Friday, April 20, 1923 in Central Preston, Cuba Died: 1 13 2009 in Fullerton, CA USA Debut: 5/5/1944 Last Game: 8/12/1944 Full Name: Preston Gomez
Preston Gomez, the Astros’ first minority manager, dies in Fullerton, CA at age 85. The Cuban native had been in failing health since being hit by a pickup truck while walking across the street nine months before. Gomez spent less than two years at the helm of the Astros, leading them to an 81-81 record in 1974 and a 47-80 record in 1975 before he was replaced by Bill Virdon. Gomez also managed the Padres and Cubs then served over 20 years as an assistant with the Angels.
1974 – Don Wilson is taken out after eight innings of no-hit ball. He is behind, 2-1. Two walks and an error have put Cincinnati ahead. Ironies abound. Wilson is approaching a rare third career no-hitter. The man who hit into the error is Pete Rose, who hit into the run-scoring error that made Ken Johnson a no-hit loser in 1964. The Houston manager is Preston Gomez who similarly yanked Clay Kirby during a no-hit bid while with San Diego. Kirby is watching from the Reds’ dugout. Mike Cosgrove gives up a meaningless single in the ninth that breaks up the bid. Houston loses. Gomez hears the boos.
1973 – Manager Leo Durocher returns from a three-week hospital stay to watch Don Wilson toss a three-hitter over Cincinnati, 5-1. Lee May’s two-run shot gets the scoring started. Interim manager Preston Gomez was 14-3 in Durocher’s absence, perhaps leading Leo to a quicker recovery.
On July 21, 1970, San Diego Padres manager Preston Gomez lifts starter Clay Kirby for a pinch-hitter, Cito Gaston in the eighth inning, even though the right-hander has a no-hitter in progress. Gaston fails to get a hit off Mets starter Jim McAndrew With the Padres trailing 1-0, Gomez decides to play for the win instead of letting…