LOS ANGELES (KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO) -- An 84-year-old Angels front office official is in critical condition after a freak accident in a Blythe gas station. Preston Gomez, a 40-year SoCal baseball pro, was struck by a pickup truck at a Chevron station around 6 a.m. this morning. According to Blythe Police, Gomez suffered major head injuries and internal bleeding. He was rushed to a local hospital, then taken via air-lift to the Desert Regional Medical Center.
The driver of the pickup, 31-year-old Jesse Mashore, tested negative for drugs and alcohol. Police say Gomez was stretching his legs when the truck struck him.
Gomez is a member of the Hispanic Baseball Heritage Hall of fame. He served as the first manager of the San Diego Padres in 1969. In addition to his three seasons in San Diego, the Havana native served as manager for the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. Gomez spent 8 years in the Dodger organization as a minor league manager, and has spent the last 27 seasons with the Angels.
Gomez's major league playing career was confined to 8 games in 1944 as a shortstop for the Washington Senators. The remainder of his playing days took place in the minor leagues.
Gomez has logged 64 seasons in professional baseball. He is widely regarded as one of the warmest personalities in the sport.
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