February's Allstar of the Month is California
native Gabriel Gonzales, a mainstay at
Baseball Central since 2011.

Growing up competing in a variety of sports –
including baseball, soccer, basketball and swimming
– the 23-year-old looked no further than his twin
brother for the impetus to improve athletically.

“We were constantly competing against one another to see who was better or just to see how we could help each other improve our game,” says Gonzales, who played shortstop and second base for the Culver City high school Centaurs in his freshman and sophomore years, until he injured his throwing shoulder. “My brother however was able to play from freshman year to junior year.”

Following high school Gonzales worked at The Loved Dog – a kennel-free canine facility, for about two years as a dog handler until hearing about an opening at Baseball Central through a good friend.

“I was able to land a job working the desk on weekends and after a few months I was full time at Baseball Central,” says Gonzales, who is now a manager at the facility. “For about 18 months I was able to juggle working both jobs but finally concluded that BC was the place for me. I am very fortunate and grateful to be around the sport I love every day I work.”

Outside of work Gonzales enjoys hiking, camping, and hanging around with friends, family and his pup.

“Almost every week I’ll head out to Malibu with a group of friends to hike Solstice Canyon, Escondido Falls, or the old Malibu Dam. Also this year will be my seventh annual summer camping trip to Kern River. Every year since 2007 my group of friends has made at least one trip out there, just to get some quiet time away from the city. What I enjoy the most is interacting with friends and family ... that’s how the best memories are made.”