Gonzalez says his goodbyes after trade
We only got to see Michael Gonzalez in the clubhouse for about a half-hour after he was traded to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. His locker was already packed up when the doors opened at 3:30 p.m., so he chatted with reporters and exchanged goodbyes with his former teammates.
When I was watching, he got hugs from a couple of fellow relievers and traded phone numbers with shortstop J.J. Hardy. Alfredo Simon, who has a close bond with Gonzalez, lingered by the lefty’s locker for a few minutes and was visibly bummed out about his friend's being traded.
“He was a really good friend of mine and helped me a lot,” Simon told my Baltimore Sun colleague Dan Connolly. “I feel like I am sad, but that is baseball, you have to handle things. Sometimes things, trades, happen.”
Simon, whose legal issues in the Dominican Republic have been well-documented on this blog, said he might stay with Gonzalez in Texas — that’s where Gonzo is from — for a while this offseason.
Gonzalez’s time with the Orioles was a roller-coaster ride, one with many dips and a few peaks, including his current stretch of 13 consecutive scoreless appearances that dates to July 22.
Simon, a stocky starter who knows a thing or two about facing adversity, will be pulling for Gonzalez now that he is leaving Baltimore for the playoff chase in the American League West.
“I just hope he does good over there and he has good luck over there and keeps his head up,” he said.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
I'm sure Simon is not the only one sad he is leaving.....the Red Sox, Yankees Rays and Blue Jays are sad also.
Posted by: jim | September 1, 2011 9:17 AM
The only problem now is Guerrero. Do you let him continue as DH, knowing he's gone in a month? Or do you use the DH spot to spell off a few players, like, say, Jones or Markakis or even Reynolds, while giving young players with a (possible) future -- Hudson, Angle, Mahoney immediately come to mind -- a chance to show what they can do? What's to be gained from keeping him in the lineup? A win or two... at most... probably less...
Posted by: DonM | September 1, 2011 9:31 AM
Orioles' players normally watch the playoffs from a Sony anyway, so now Alfredo will have reason to turn on the volume, too.
Posted by: Dennis in WV | September 1, 2011 9:33 AM
Adios 'Rockin Gonzo".Plz. take 1/2 of the O's bullpen with you! Hope you don't fall off the mound too often in Texas and keep that protruded "macho" hanging lip thing.
.Don't forget to serve up the O's some "fat ones" when you face 'em.
Posted by: Spiros | September 1, 2011 9:58 AM
he finally starts earning his keep . . . and we trade him.
Posted by: csquare | September 1, 2011 10:59 AM
It showed a lot of character, determination, and perseverance to battle back from a rough start.
The mark of an athlete.
He has been pitching in top form which makes for a great story line.
It's good to see any Oriole with a shot at a championship and World Series.
Now go help the Rangers beat the Red Sox or Yankees, Gonzo!
Posted by: Here | September 1, 2011 1:32 PM
And the Pitcher-in and Pitcher out merry-go-around continues....
Next up?
Posted by: CNC Orioles Fan | September 1, 2011 3:01 PM
Watching Mikey Gonzalez pitch for the Orioles was enough to make a grown man cry. I wasn't crying on the outside, but I sure as hell was bawling like a baby on the inside. The man was Michigan J. Frog personified. No pressure, no sweat. Maximum pressure, croak job.
Posted by: Attila the Hon | September 1, 2011 6:00 PM