Edgar González: A Fronterizo following Álex Cora’s lead
On Sunday evening in Los Angeles, Red Sox manager Álex Cora lifted a Commissioner’s Trophy high above his head. A World Series championship is hard to accomplish as a manager, and rare for rookies in that position.
But Cora becoming the second Latino manager to lead a team to the World Series has become a source of hope for others with aspirations of leading at the highest level.
One such manager is former Mexican National Team manager Edgar González, whose resume ran the gamut from the Mexican Pacific League to broadcast duties during the World Series in 2018.
All along, he’s seen opportunities for Latinos like himself growing thanks to the success of others, including Cora. But having grown up on the border, González has a unique perspective of the game.
The player
González was born in San Diego but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. That duality gives him a feeling of belonging on both sides of the border.
“I feel like I am Mexican since I grew up in México for a larger part of my life but having grown up on the border I am fortunate to have grown up in both countries and feel that I am part of both,” González told La Vida Baseball.
When Edgar was four his family welcomed a baby boy they named Adrián. The younger of the two brothers has gone on to become a five-time All-Star in a very good major league career that has included stops with five big league clubs.
Edgar was a good player in his own right. He played high school baseball in the San Diego area and then matriculated to San Diego State. In 2000 the Tampa Bay Rays in the 30th round of the amateur draft.
After hanging up his cleats he managed the Águilas of Méxicali in the 2015-2016 season and was named the league’s “Manager of the Year.” Later he was hired in Guadalajara to manage the Charros for the 2016 -2017 season and had the honor of managing the Mexican National Team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
While the Mexican squad didn’t perform to their potential at the World Baseball Classic González returned to México to continue to hone his managing skills.
A busy year
González’s 2018 began as General Manager for the Charros of Jalisco of the Mexican Pacific League and as an integral part of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2018 Caribbean Series that was successfully hosted at Charros Stadium in February.
Shortly after hosting the Caribbean Series he prepared to head back to the U.S. to manage the Gulf Coast Yankees, New York’s Rookie League affiliate in Tampa.
His experience with a premier organization like the Yankees was great experience for the fronterizo and, with Cora making history with the Red Sox, he hopes more doors will open for Latinos looking to secure larger roles in major league organizations.
“I’m definitely happy for Álex Cora and we all hope it will open doors for others but it’s still tough to break into larger roles in the majors,” said González. “In my case it would have to be the right move for me and my family.”
Meeting Mexico’s president-elect
Not long after his first season managing professional ball in the United States came to a close, Edgar and his brother Adrián had the opportunity to meet México’s president-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO).
AMLO is a big baseball fan and is committed to continuing to grow what some say competes with boxing as the second most popular sport in the country.
“It was a great experience to meet with Mr. Obrador,” said González. “He’s committed to growing our game and building more academies to continue the development of baseball in México and we’re committed to helping in any way we can.”
What’s Next?
Baseball isn’t the only passion in González’s life. He also owns a couple barber shops appropriately named Shortstop Barbershop in San Diego and a successful taqueria in Tijuana.
With the 2018 major league season now complete, González plans to head back home to the borderland of southern California and spend well-deserved time with his family while continuing to work to develop and grow his academies in Tijuana and San Diego. His role with Charros and the Yankees has concluded and doesn’t plan to go far from home for the moment as he is committed to his family after a busy year.
“I’m excited to spend time with my family and for the moment taking on a new role in baseball isn’t necessarily a priority,” said González. “If the Mexican National Team would like for me to come back to manage the squad it’s definitely something I’d consider but that’s a bit far ahead right now.”
Featured Image: MarcaTV