Fredi González was a pretty successful manager during his time with the Marlins . During his four seasons with the fish he compiled a .497 winning percentage and had two winning seasons, in 2008 and 2009, respectively. González in total has managed for 10 years in the major leagues, also managing the Atlanta Braves and sports a .506 winning percentage over that span. With the Braves he made two playoff appearances, even winning a division title in 2013.
The Cuban-born González immigrated to the United States in 1966 and has called Miami home since. Although he was born in Holguín, Cuba he is considered by many to be Miami’s own due to his strong ties to the exile community in South Florida. He recently returned to Atlanta as their third base coach and will the Assistant Manager for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Returning to the Braves and coming home face the Marlins has made everything come full circle in what has been a very successful career for the man from Eastern Cuba. If Cuba were a normal place this gentleman would probably be the first choice to be the team’s manager in the World Baseball Classic.
Fredi, how does it feel to come back to Atlanta, a place where you are managed?
Well, it’s always good to come home a it has a special place in my heart. I didn’t know I was going to get back in this game, Snitker and and Alex called me to come do this. There’s only a few places that I would do it and you know, Atlanta is one of them and I’m doing it for the organization and Snitker. That’s, you know, even though I managed here in Atlanta, I got fired. But they’ve welcomed me back with open arms and it feels good.
Being also being in a Miami native and having managed here, how does it feel to come home?
It’s great to be home. Actually, today, this weekend, I spent all three nights with my parents at the house that I, I grew up in, down in, you know, down in Cutler Ridge. And so it’s been great and spent time with my parents are getting of age and, and, and being in the house that I grew up and, and saying hi to people that I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s always special to come back home.
The Braves have started a little slow, but there’s a lot of talent here. What do you need to do to turn the the season around?
Well, I feel like we’re playing better. We started 0-7 and all you need now is a little winning streak. I think what you’re looking for is just to get in, you know, get into the the playoffs and we’ve seen wild card teams gets in and get hot and win World Series. So we’re looking to start playing a little bit better, get offensive, get a little bit of persistent consistency and win some games.
You’ve been here a short time. There’s two other Cubans on this roster, that’s Daysbel Hernandez and Reisel Iglesias. Have you had any interaction with him? Have you given any advice to them?
Well you know, those guys have been around long enough in the United States. Iglesias and I, we just had breakfast together and, and it’s funny, you know, I talk to him more about Cuba than I do about Major League Baseball because he was a lot older coming from Cuba than I was. I was 2 years old in 1966 when I came here. So it’s always nice to sit and reminisce about the the place that you were born through them because they got here, as I think you know, as late teenagers or early early adults. So it’s always good to hear about what’s going on in in the country that you were born in.
World Baseball Classic, you’re going to be part of the American team?
Yep, I got named as a coach for the USA team in the WBC, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never been part of any of those teams. So I’m really honored and and hopefully we get back here to Miami to play in a championship game.