Port St. Lucy – Joey Gallo hit 208 home runs in his 10-year career as a major league batsman.
On Sunday he announced that he was giving up bats as production fell sharply over the past three years and becoming a pitcher.
Anthony Gose didn't have a Gallo resume, but didn't flare up in the Bronx like he did, but in 2015 he played 140 games with 535 plate appearances as Tigers Everyday Center Fielder.
And he is now looking to expand his career as a left-handed savior with the Mets.
“All I wanted to do was hit and play center field,” Gose told Clover Park. “I did as much as I could. It took me a while to stop the batsman's mentality.”
He returned to the plate in 2016 and continued his downward trajectory towards 2017.
“I just didn't hit enough,” Gose said. “The team liked me as a pitcher coming out of high school. I threw 97 mph. But I wanted to hit. I had a good year in 2015 and a slow start in 2016, so I never came out.”
So Gose (27) proposed going to the Tigers front office for training in spring 2017 and returning to pitching.
He returned to High A and went to the Rangers organization a year later, and stood up for Double A Frisco before signing with Cleveland.
Gose returned to the majors by 2021, pitching six games for Cleveland that season, and another 22 games a year later before his career was off track again later that season.
He went back a year ago and spent most of the season in Triple A Columbus, but it ended up in three games with the Guardian.
Now he wants to be a left-handed option for the Mets. The Mets are the only team to offer minor league contracts this past offseason.
“It's difficult to get a job,” Gose said.
He admitted that he didn't pitch as much as he wanted in the majors in 2024.
“When I had them and exposed them last year, I didn't make the most of my opportunities,” Gose said. “I know there's more out there. I think I can sell another 10-12 years with what I have in my arms.”
Gose praised the Mets for working with him, saying he was ready to take the mission he gave him.
“They were honest with me,” said Gosse, who can get tickets for Triple A. Syracuse.
“As long as they wear uniforms, they'll go wherever they want.”
The 34-year-old Gose allowed six hits, four walks and six runs in the Grapefruit Tree Gunning. He is committed to transition and hasn't picked up the bat since returning to pitching.
“Why?” Gose said. “That part of my career is over.”
However, he insists that he does not believe he is finished.
“I think I've done everything I could ever do, but there's still something to do,” Gose said. “I'm not looking back. I'm just looking forward to it, so I hope I have another opportunity to throw the ball as much as I can.”
