Ruben Gomez [born in 1927], a native of Guayama, Puerto Rico recently passed away after a long illness. He had a pitching record of 76-86 and was known as one of those knock pitchers who thrived in that tough hardball era.
One day he threw at Milwaukee Braves batter Big Joe Adcock who charged the mound. Gomez threw another ball and hit him in the thigh and ran into the dugout. Some people mistakenly thought that Gomez fled in fear --- but he did not. Instead, it was said at that time that Gomez ran into the dugout to get an ice pick which he intended to drill into Adcock. Luckily for Adcock, Gomez was stopped by three of his teammates. This is a story that has not circulated since that time and was not reported in a recent tribute to Gomez in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ruben Gomez was called "El Divino Loco" because of his cranky nature: when he liked you, he would bend over backwards for his friends --- but he was quite a character with a 'divine' sense of humor! After his career, he became a respected coach and was well thought of by players and opponents alike. Felipe Alou and Orlando Cepeda were among his best friends [I don't know if Joe Adcock was among that listing].
Ruben Gomez - gone, but not to be forgotten.
Also by Richard "Lefty" Sepulveda
» Memories of Ila Borders: The First Sightings of Ila in St Paul
» More submissions
Posted August 2, 2004.
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