Cindy Donald Foundation — Dreams of Recovery

Fredi Gonzalez

Fredi Gonzalez is in his second season as the Braves' skipper and his sixth overall as a Major League manager. He owns a career record of 365-352 (.509) after leading the Braves to an 89-73 mark in 2011.

On October 13, 2010, Gonzalez was introduced as the Club's 16th manager since the organization moved to Atlanta in 1966. He replaced the legendary Bobby Cox, who retired from managing at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Gonzalez, was the Braves' third base coach under Cox for four seasons (2003 to 2006) and served as the organization's Triple-A manager at Richmond in 2002.

Gonzalez, 48, served as the manager for the Florida Marlins for three-plus seasons (2007 through June 22, 2010) and went 276-279 with the Marlins, including 34-36 in 2010. He is the all-time winningest manager in Marlins franchise history, surpassing Jack McKeon's 241 career wins.

In 2009, Gonzalez led Florida to an 87-75 record, marking the sixth time in franchise history the club finished above .500. He was named the 2008 Sporting News National League Manager of the Year after guiding the Marlins to an 84-77 record in his second year as skipper, as he became just the third Marlins manager to lead the team to a winning record.

In Gonzalez's debut season in 2007 the Marlins went 71-91 and he served as a coach for the National League at the All-Star Game in San Francisco, under manager Tony La Russa. Gonzalez was named the Marlins' manager on October 3, 2006, replacing Joe Girardi.

Following a six-year (1982-87) playing career as a catcher in the New York Yankees' farm system, Gonzalez began his coaching career in 1990, when he took over as manager of the unaffiliated Miami Miracle (A) of the Florida State League with 20 games remaining on their schedule. He continued his post as manager of the Miracle in 1991, then moved to the Marlins organization in 1992, when he was named the first minor league manager in Marlins franchise history. He led the 1992 Erie (A) club to a 40-37 record en route to the New York-Penn League championship series.

Gonzalez managed for seven seasons in the Marlins organization, from 1992 to 1998, and served as third base coach at the Major League level from 1999 to 2001.

He was selected by Baseball America as the Eastern League Manager of the Year in 1997 and was recognized by Baseball America as the Florida State League Manager of the Year in 1994, after going 78-61 with Brevard County (A) and finishing second to Tampa in the FSL championship series.

In 1993, Gonzalez guided High Desert (A) to an 85-52 mark en route to becoming California League Champions - the first-ever championship by a Marlins' affiliate. He was named Baseball America's California League Manager of the Year in 1993 and received the Carl Barger Player Development Person of the Year Award in 1993.

Gonzalez graduated from Miami's Southridge High School in 1982 and was selected by the Yankees in the 16th round of the 1982 June draft.

Gonzalez is active in fundraising efforts for the Cindy Donald Dreams of Recovery Foundation (www.dreamsofrecovery.org), which helps to create a positive change for those individuals facing the challenges which accompany spinal cord and/or brain injuries.

He and his wife Pamela have a daughter, Gabrielle, and a son, Alex. They reside in Marietta, Ga.

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