Meanwhile, Gotay could not beat out Ducky Schofield for the Pirates' shortstop job in 1963 and was sent to Triple-A. He would appear in only seven games for Pittsburgh during the 1963 and 1964 campaigns. As a utility infielder, he spent a half-season with the Angels in 1965, then appeared in one full season and parts of three others for the Astros (1966–69). He retired from baseball after the 1971 minor-league season, which he spent at Triple-A in the Cardinals' organization. In 389 games played in the major leagues, Gotay collected 257 hits, with 38 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 70 RBI.[2]
According to teammate Jim Bouton, Gotay was also known for "carrying a dead fish on plane trips to ward off evil spirits." And he "was also famous for having a cheese sandwich fall out of his back pocket. While he was sliding into second base."[3]
After retiring from baseball, he earned a bachelor degree in education and spent many years as a physical education teacher in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Gotay died from prostate cancer on July 4, 2008, at age 69 in Ponce.[citation needed] He was buried at the Fajardo Municipal Cemetery in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. He was married to his wife, Silvia Irizarry, for 48 years. He had four children, Julio Gotay, Agustín Gotay, Irma Gotay, and Silvia Gotay.[4]
