Rodeo in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lefty Gomez Field
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
1. Lefty Gomez Field Marker
In Memory of Vernon Lefty Gomez, born Nov. 26, 1908, in Rodeo. New York Yankees pitching great from 1930-1942. Set World Series record with 6 victories and no defeats leading team to 7 pennants and 6 World Series Championships. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Dedicated March 25, 1990
Erected 1990.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1990.
Location. 38° 1.93′ N, 122° 16.026′ W. Marker is in Rodeo, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker is on Parker Avenue near 4th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rodeo CA 94572, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The De Anza Expedition in Rodeo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hercules Powder Works Chinese Laborers Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Hay Schooner Carlotta (approx. 2.1 miles away); Fernandez Mansion - 1894 (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bank of Pinole
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is about 15 feet to the left (south) of home plate.
Regarding Lefty Gomez Field. The New York Yankees purchased Lefty Gomez from the San Francisco Seals in 1929 for $35,000. Gomez played for the New York Yankees from 1930-1942, and finished his professional career by playing one game with the Washington Senators in 1943.
While playing with the Yankees, Gomez recorded a number of remarkable accomplishments:
20 game winner four times;
Led the league three times in strikeouts;
Led the league three times in shutouts;
Won the triple crown twice, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA;
Most wins without a loss in World Series play;
.649 winning percentage ranks 15th among pitchers with 200 or more starts;
All Star player from 1933-1939 (3 wins)
Gomez was known for his pitching and his personality. His plaque in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park read, "Noted for his wit and his fastball, as he was fast with a quip and a pitch."
In 1933, Gomez married June O'Dea. They had three children: Vernona, Sharon, and Gary.
Gomez died in Marin General Hospital
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
2. Lefty Gomez - Handprint in Cement
After winning the 1932 World Series, Lefty returned home to Rodeo and left the town a souvenir - a handprint of his pitching (left) hand. Both the handprint (immediately below his middle initial) and date, 11-22-32, are still visible today.
Also see . . .
1. Lefty Gomez - Statistics. Baseball-reference.com's exhaustive statistics for Lefty Gomez. (Submitted on April 18, 2009.)
2. Lefty Gomez. Wikipedia biography of Lefty Gomez (Submitted on April 18, 2009.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
3. Wide shot showing the slab with Lefty's handprint just to the right of the marker
In the background is the Lefty Gomez Ballfield.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
4. Picture of Lefty Gomez on Marker
Born November 26, 1908 in Rodeo, California. Died February 17, 1989, in Greenbrae, California.
Statistics: 189 Wins, 102 Losses, 1468 Strikeouts in 368 professional games played (2,503 innings, 173 complete games), with a career 3.34 ERA. Wore #11 on his uniform.
Statistics: 189 Wins, 102 Losses, 1468 Strikeouts in 368 professional games played (2,503 innings, 173 complete games), with a career 3.34 ERA. Wore #11 on his uniform.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,954 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
