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Luis Gonzalez career timeline

Early days

Gonzalez grew up in West Tampa, Fla., and was childhood friends with future Major League first baseman Tino Martinez before playing at South Alabama University

1988: Drafted by Houston

Gonzalez was selected in the fourth round of the 1988 MLB Draft by the Astros

Sept. 4, 1990 Debut in a pinch

Gonzalez's big league debut came as a pinch-hitter and he struck out against the Dodgers' Ramon Martinez

Dec. 28, 1998: Deal of century for Arizona

In what was the best trade in D-backs history, Gonzalez was dealt from the Tigers to the desert in exchange for outfielder Karim Garcia

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1999: Going streaking

In his first season in Arizona, Gonzalez put together a 30-game hitting streak and helped the D-backs to a 100-62 record and an NL West title

May 18, 1999

July 13, 1999: First All-Star Game

Gonzalez made his first All-Star Game appearance, going 1-for-2 at the Midsummer Classic in Boston

July 5, 2000: Historic cycle

Back at the Astrodome where his career began, Gonzalez hit for the first cycle in franchise history

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April 2001: Dingers, dingers and more dingers

Gonzalez started the year off red-hot, hitting nine homers in his first 10 games and 13 in the first month

April 26, 2001

July 9, 2001: Home Run Derby champion

With D-backs bullpen catcher Jeff Motuzas pitching to him, Gonzalez won the Home Run Derby in Seattle

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Oct. 7, 2001: HR No. 57

Gonzalez hit his 57th and final homer of the regular season, a D-backs single-season record

October 7, 2001

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Nov. 4, 2001: World Series hero

In the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, the bases loaded, Mariano Rivera on the mound and the score tied at 2, Gonzalez delivered a bloop single to win the series

November 4, 2001

2002: Gum-gate

After a controversy over whether Gonzalez actually chewed a piece of gum that was auctioned off by a fan, he chewed a fresh piece in front of witnesses and the pair of pieces raised $10,000 for charity

May 22, 2004: Milestone hit

Gonzalez collected the 2,000th hit of his career against the Marlins

2007: End of an era

The D-backs did not re-sign Gonzalez when his contract expired after the 2006 season and he signed a deal with the Dodgers

2009: He's back

Gonzalez announced his retirement as a player and immediately joined the D-backs front office as special advisor to team president/CEO Derrick Hall