Jonny Gomes

Johnny Gomes is a Petaluma, California native and began his big league career after a solid college career at Santa Rosa Junior College. In 2001 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected him in the 18th round of the MLB Draft, believing that his athleticism and pure hitting ability would eventually make him a solid every day big league outfielder. Over the next two years he put up big numbers in the minors, despite having to overcome a major heart attack in 2002. Miraculously, one year later he made his MLB debut with the Rays and went on to finish third in the 2005 American League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .282 with 21 homeruns in his first full season. During his 11-year major league career he has seen time with the Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox. Prior to joining the Oakland Athletics for a second stint in 2014 he helped the Red Sox to a World Series title in 2013. Outside of baseball Gomes is an active philanthropists, working with Boys and Girls Clubs in the Tampa Bay area and lending his time to the Camp for a Cure annual charity baseball camp.