Determined to Make It, Former Skyline Baseball Player Has Eyes Set on the Big Leagues

It didn't happen – and that's probably a good thing.

You see, it seems whenever things don't go Greg Gonzalez's way, he benefits in the long run.

Take his graduation from an all-league shortstop at Capuchino High to Skyline College four years ago. Gonzalez never played shortstop for the Trojans. Rather, he went on to become a two-time All-American pitcher.

Then there was the torn ACL he suffered on Opening Day in 2007. Most pitchers aren't the same after the surgery. Gonzalez actually got better.

And then last season, his first at Fresno State, Gonzalez was named the team's season-opening closer. By year's end, he not only was the ace of the starting staff but also had become the first Fresno State pitcher in 34 years to record a no-hitter.

So when his draft dream didn't come true in June, Gonzalez responded as he had so many other times in his baseball career — with a desire to come out on top the next time around.

"It's definitely a goal of mine," the 5-foot-11 right-hander admitted. "I'd love to pitch in front of family and friends at a Giants game. I've always been a Giants fan, but I also like the Yankees. There's so much history."

The road to the Bronx—the home of the New York Yankees—began last week, when Gonzalez drove from San Bruno to Fresno to begin his senior year. Monday was the first day of school – and the first team meeting for the 2011 Bulldogs baseball team.

Gonzalez credits his coach at Skyline, Dino Nomicos, for the fact he was sitting among the Bulldogs' pitchers rather than the infielders.

"I've been around baseball a long time," Nomicos assured. "He's a special kid with a very strong arm. When you see talent like that, it was in his best interest to be a pitcher."

Nomicos predicts the 21-year-old has a future in pro ball, observing, "He's pitching at a very high level. If he can do what he did last year, I'd say there's a 90 percent chance he's going to get a chance to play professional baseball. He's only going to get stronger and smarter."

Gonzalez realizes he's going to have to pitch better than ever this season in order to make his dream a reality. Or at least as good as he did April 11 in Honolulu.

"It was my first start of the season," he recalled of a 1-0, no-hit victory over preseason Western Athletic Conference favorite Hawaii. "I realized I had a no-hitter, and so did the fans. It was very loud. They really wanted to get in my head.

"It was the best thing I've ever experience on a baseball field."

Putting on the Yankee pinstripes and jogging to the mound before a full house at AT&T Park might someday rival that experience.

It's sure something his Bay Area fans are rooting for … even if it is the Yankees.