Milwaukee Brewers: Remembering the Carlos Gomez era

When the Milwaukee Brewers dealt Carlos Gomez to the Astros, a unique chapter in team history came to a close. Gomez was just as likely to make a spectacular catch as he was to make a completely boneheaded play. Let’s relive a few of the highlights, including his iconic (moronic?) showdown with former Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann.

Carlos Gomez vs. The Pirates

Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez thought he clubbed a homer, and started his trot prematurely. After he realized the ball wasn’t going to clear the center field fence, Gomez kicked it into high gear and made it to third

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole greeted Gomez at third with a few pleasantries. After time was called, Gomez took on essentially the entire Pirates bench until the cavalry arrived. Gomez was literally on his own against about 10 Pirates until the Brewers made their way over to get in the middle.

This featured a fantastic hit, the dangers of pimping a homer before it goes over the fence, and a real life version of 1 vs. 100.

Carlos Gomez vs. Gravity

Grounding out is annoying. It’s especially annoying when you shatter your bat. It gets even worse when gravity gets the better of you when you fall down the stairs. At least the benches didn’t clear this time?

Carlos Gomez vs. The Nationals

The Brewers had a seven-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. First baseman Lyle Overbay hit a soft grounder to second that the Nationals turned into an inning ending double play. Gomez made sure to slide into second baseman Kevin Frandsen as hard as humanly possible.

He didn’t manage to break up the double play. He did manage to draw the ire of then-shortstop Ian Desmond. The two had words and were quickly separated.

It should also be noted that Gomez was drilled earlier in the inning by Nats reliever Taylor Hill. It was pretty clear that the slide was retaliation for the HBP.

Carlos Gomez vs. Yasiel Puig

This is a great example of when trying to banter with a guy goes wrong. With Gomez standing on second, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop hit a lazy fly ball out to right that Yasiel Puig had little trouble with. Gomez attempted to draw a throw by dancing off the bag. Puig fired a rocket into the infield.

After the inning, Gomez attempted to banter with Puig by saying something along the lines of “I hoped you would throw it into the upperdeck!” Puig was having none of it.

Carlos Gomez vs. Brian McCann, Baseball Sheriff

Gomez lead off the game with a homer off of Paul Maholm and he took a little too much time watching it for their taste. While Maholm and first baseman Freddie Freeman gave Gomez an earful as he rounded the bases, the real surprise was waiting at the plate.

Braves catcher and Baseball Sheriff Brian McCann exists solely to enforce the unwritten rules of the game. Watching a homer for a little too long? That violates the code.

McCann stood directly in the basepath only a few feet from the plate. He refused to yield when Gomez rounded third and had ‘a few words’ to say. The benches cleared and Gomez was again ready to throw hands with the entire Braves roster. Despite an absolute sea of bodies between the two, Gomez and McCann were able to jaw at each other for almost two full minutes.

The good news is that Gomez and McCann did eventually make up.

Next: Who Won The Mike Fiers / Carlos Gomez Deal?

Love Gomez or hate him, you’re unlikely to forget him. He spent about 5 1/2 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, but the memory of the swagger with which he played, will live on for years.