gomez grew up in california and played for the san francisco seals after high school. he made his mlb debut with the yankees in april 1930. he was selected as an all-star every year between 1933 and 1939. he sustained an arm injury in 1940. though he rebounded well in 1941, he pitched his last full season in 1942, then appeared in one game in 1943 before retiring with the washington senators.