Head Coach Chris Gomez

Coach Gomez grew up in Lakewood, CA, and played baseball at Lakewood High School. He went to Loyola Marymount University, where he became a Freshman All-American. He then transferred to Long Beach State and played baseball there in 1992, where he was again selected to the All-American team. Originally drafted out of high school by the California Angels in the 37th round of the amateur draft, he was drafted again, this time by the Detroit Tigers in the third round following his junior year at Long Beach State. His contract was purchased from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, and he started 23 games at shortstop and 17 at second base for the Detroit Tigers in 1993.

After the season, the Detroit Tigers news broadcasters elected him the Tigers’ Rookie of the Year, even though 1994 was his first full Major League Baseball season. Coach Gomez was also on the Topps All-Rookie Team at shortstop. In 1998, Coach Gomez was the shortstop for the San Diego Padres and batted .364 in the World Series against the New York Yankees. During his 16 seasons in the major leagues, he played for eight teams: Detroit Tigers (1993–1996), San Diego Padres (1996–2001), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2001–2002), Minnesota Twins (2003), Toronto Blue Jays (2004), Baltimore Orioles (2005–2007), Cleveland Indians (2007), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (2008).

Since retiring from baseball, Gomez has been coaching the game he loves both at the high school and travel ball levels. Coach Gomez resides in Newport Beach with his wife and three boys. This will be Coach Gomez’s second stint coaching at CDM. He coached two years at CDM before being named the head coach at Pacifica Christian. We are thrilled to have Coach Gomez back at CDM.