PUEBLO, Colo. - Colorado State University Pueblo Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Paul Plinske and Head Baseball Coach Bobby Applegate have announced the addition of Robert (Tony) Gonzalez to the ThunderWolves’ Baseball coaching staff.
Gonzalez joins the Pack with 30-plus year in the baseball industry as a player, coach, and front-office member.
“I’m excited to be back in Pueblo! Back where Coach Sanchez brought Bobby (Applegate) and I 30 years ago this season! Go Pack!!” said Gonzalez.
This is Gonzalez’ second stint with CSU Pueblo after playing collegiate baseball from 1993-94 with the Pack. He also played at Imperial Valley College from 1990-93 before his time in Pueblo, and finished his playing career at Azusa Pacific University in 1994-95.
From Coach Applegate: "Tony will make a great addition to our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the offensive side of the game" Applegate said. "He has a great network in the baseball community and will assist us greatly on the recruiting side."
Upon graduating in 1995, Gonzalez took his talents to the professional level, starting off with the Imperial Valley Brahmas of the Golden State Professional Baseball League, where he led the league in hitting in the ’95 season.
In 1996, Gonzalez was an All-Star Third Baseman for the Clarksville Coyotes of the Big South League. In the ’96 season he finished 3rd in the league in batting average.
In 1997, Gonzalez continued to rise up the professional ranks as he made the Opening Day roster for Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League. Also during the ’97 season, Gonzalez split time between the Chico Heat and Salinas Peppers of the Western Baseball League.
Gonzalez finished up his playing career in 1998 with the Tri City Posse of the Western Baseball League, transitioning into coaching/instructing.
His first coaching job post-playing career was with Tri City as the hitting coach for the pro club. After a stint with Tri City, Gonzalez moved to the high school ranks where he helped many student athletes pursue their dream of playing collegiate baseball.
After a short stint of coaching high school baseball, Gonzalez became the Head Baseball Coach for the Inland Empire Senators of the Orange County Collegiate League in 2013. At the same time, he served as an assistant head coach at Bethesda University until 2016. Following his time at Bethesda, Gonzalez became an assistant coach at Biola University from 2016-18.
In his years coaching collegiately, Gonzalez also worked in the front office side of baseball as he served as the General Manager of the Southern California Bombers Collegiate Club from 2015-20.
In 2017, he became the Director of Baseball Operations for the Dodge City A’s where he recruited high level D1 talent to his roster.
Most recently Gonzalez has served as a Regional Director for Baseball Resource Group, an instructional league to help develop amateurs and professionals.
