Carlos Gonzalez (Denver Post file)
Carlos Gonzalez’s 2010 included enough hardware to make a carpenter jealous. He won the National League batting title, a Silver Slugger award, a Gold Glove and he finished third in the MVP race.
But the Rockies right fielder never played a better month until this season.
His tear through July — including 11 home runs, 24 RBI and an .841 slugging percentage — earned Gonzalez the National League player of the month award on Monday. It’s his first.
“This is what it’s all about — when you work hard and you see results,” Gonzalez said. “This is why you continue to work everyday, because it feels good at the end.”
In the seven games between July 22-29, Gonzalez hit eight home runs. He hit two home runs apiece in back-to-back games against the Reds and Cubs, the first Rockies slugger with consecutive multi-homer games since Vinny Castilla did it in 1995.
For Gonzalez, his recent slugging tear is a almost accidental.
“I don’t think I’m a home run hitter — home runs just happen for me,” Gonzalez said. “I try to be the best professional hitter in the game, that’s what I’m trying to do, trying to get on base for my teammates. I have a great player behind me in Nolan (Arenado), who’s leading the league in RBIs.”
Gonzalez — the subject of trade rumors, including to the Angels, Orioles and Mets — before last week’s non-waiver deadline, increased interest with his month-long run. He struggled mightily to begin the season — Gonzalez hit just .200 in the first month.
But in July also ranked second in runs (36), third in hits (34), fourth in hitting (.386, 36-for-88) and seventh in on-base percentage (.438).
“He persevered through a tough part of the season,” Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. “He really struggled. But I saw him work things out in the cage. He really tried to grind his way through and he did.”
Gonzalez joins Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton (June), Washington’s Bryce Harper (May) and Los Angeles’ Adrian Gonzalez (April) to win the NL award. Mike Trout won July’s AL award.
Tags: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
