A's running out of awards to give Gomes

OAKLAND -- The Oakland Athletics are running out of awards to give Jonny Gomes this season. On Tuesday he was voted the winner of the Jim "Catfish" Hunter award, which honors a player that best exemplifies the competitive spirit on and off the field demonstrated by the late Hall of Famer. The award is voted on by the A's coaching staff and players. "To get my name next to him specially etched in an award is pretty special," Gomes said while on Chronicle Live. "It'll get hung high in my house."Last Saturday, Gomes, a native of Petaluma, was the recipient of the Dave Stewart Community Service Award for his work in helping to raise money to send the families of the Petaluma National Little Leaguers to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series. "These awards don't surprise anybody here," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He is the obvious choice for a lot of these awards, whether it be he or Brandon McCarthy. We are proud that he is that guy." Gomes has been a leader for the A's all season long. He is a selfless performer on the field that never complains when he isn't in the lineup, or when he gets pinch-hit for. Gomes has been used as a platoon hitter all season long, mainly seeing time against left-handed pitchers. His 17 home runs in just 98 games played with the A's ranks him third all-time among Oakland players with fewer than 100 games. He is leading the A's with a .374 on-base percentage and leads the Major Leagues with a .480 batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs. "He's been terrific," Melvin said. "Not only for the players but for myself, the coaching staff. You always have a kind of conduit to how the team is feeling." The accolades on the field are what everyone sees, but Gomes' real value may be behind the scenes. He is one of the team's clubhouse leaders. His stall in the clubhouse is right next to Josh Reddick's and he's had an impression on the young breakout right fielder."He seems to be that adult figure that if I need a question answered, he's the guy that has the answer for it," Reddick said. "He's just somebody that I can look to and get to know a lot of information from." Reddick and Gomes have become close this season. They have matching robes with their jersey numbers on the back. Gomes got one first, then Reddick had to have one. Even while being emulated, Gomes is a veteran that recognizes the importance of letting the young players on the A's be themselves."It's huge because if you aren't being yourself it's not going to be an easy game to play," Reddick said. "A lot of guys here get to be themselves and not just that guy in the locker room with a number on his back."When Reddick wanted to dress like Spider-man and pie someone, Gomes is the guy he went to in order to get the green light. After careful consideration Gomes let it happen because he didn't want to ruin anyone's fun. "He comes in here and knows how to keep the team loose whether he's playing or not," Reddick added. "In the clubhouse, in the dugout, every time anywhere out there he's finding ways to help this team win on and off the field."Of all the people that were likely considered for the Catfish Hunter award, Gomes probably appreciates it the most. He is a big fan of the history of baseball, especially the rich tradition of the A's. Hunter won 131 games with the A's, which is an Oakland record. He was a three-time World Series-winner in Oakland and his number 27 is one of five numbers retired by the Oakland Athletics. To be mentioned in the same sentence with Hunter should be an honor for any player. It certainly won't be lost on Gomes.