Benji Gil

Romar Benjamin Gil, born on October 6, 1972, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, developed his baseball skills at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, California. Excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter, Gil was a high school All-American. He was drafted as a shortstop by the Texas Rangers in the first round (19th overall) of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft. Gil made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 1993 at the age of 20. Over his playing career, he spent time with the Texas Rangers (1993, 1995–1997) and the Anaheim Angels (2000–2003), culminating in a World Series Championship with the Angels in 2002. His career statistics include 1610 at-bats, 381 hits, 32 home runs, and 171 RBI.

Following his playing career, Gil transitioned into coaching and managing, achieving notable success in the Mexican Pacific League (LMP) and with the Mexico national baseball team. He began managing the Tomateros de Culiacán in 2014, leading them to multiple championships. In 2021, he was appointed the inaugural manager for the Mariachis de Guadalajara in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), earning the LMB Manager of the Year award. Gil has also managed the Mexico national team in significant international competitions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he led the team to a bronze medal. He served as the infield coach for the Los Angeles Angels from 2022 to 2023, showcasing his continued involvement and influence in professional baseball.