Luis Gonzalez
1990–2008 · LF

Luis Gonzalez

6' 2", 180 lbs·Lived to 59·Bats L / Throws R
Silver SluggerAll-Star
The Almanac's Take

Gonzalez turned himself from a slap-hitting singles machine into a legitimate home run threat, peaking spectacularly with 57 bombs for Arizona in 2001. That season stands as one of the most dramatic single-year transformations in modern baseball — he'd never hit more than 26 homers before, yet suddenly became the third player ever to reach 57.

The timing was perfect. Gonzalez carried the expansion Diamondbacks to their improbable World Series title, delivering the championship-winning hit against Mariano Rivera. His .325 average that year proved the power surge didn't come at the expense of his pure hitting ability.

Beyond that magical season, Gonzalez was remarkably consistent, posting a career .283 average across 19 seasons. Five All-Star selections tell the story of sustained excellence, even if he never quite recaptured that 2001 lightning.

Career Highs
1.117
Best OPS · 2001
57
Most HR · 2001
142
Most RBI · 2001
.336
Best AVG · 1999
Career Arc · OPS
19 seasons
Statistical Comps

Career · Batting

19 seasons
YearTeamGABHRRBIAVGOPSOPS+
1990HOU122100.190.54777
1991HOU1374731369.254.753106
1992HOU1223871055.243.67496
1993HOU1545401572.300.818111
1994HOU112392867.273.782102
1995CHC1334711369.276.812108
1996CHC1464831579.271.797104
1997HOU1525501068.258.72295
1998DET1545472371.267.816108
1999AZ15361426111.336.952122
2000AZ16261831114.311.935120
2001AZ16260957142.3251.117147
2002AZ14852428103.288.896120
2003AZ15657926104.304.934124
2004AZ1053791748.259.866114
2005AZ1555792479.271.825110
2006AZ1535861573.271.795103
2007LAD1394641568.278.793105
2008FLO136341847.261.749100
Career259191573541439.283
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Luis Gonzalez Stats & Analysis | The Almanac