![]() Gordon was a third baseman who had starred at Nebraska, and White watched him walk into a clubhouse full of big-time talent.īilly Butler played for that team. 2 selection in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2006, Gordon arrived in Wichita, Kan., fresh off his No. Poetically, White actually managed Gordon during Gordon’s first professional season. “Nobody had the arm strength (that he did), the accuracy, quick release and way he was able to get to the ball on a line and reroute it to second base,” White said recently. He also became the second-ever Royals player to win eight Gold Glove Awards, matching Frank White, whose respect for Gordon cannot be understated. Only 13 other outfielders have won eight Gold Glove Awards Gordon joined Jim Edmonds, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds and Paul Blair, all with eight. There are other indications of how rare a feat this is. ![]() No feat better signifies so than Tuesday night’s announcement: Gordon won his eighth Gold Glove Award in left field and became the first position player to win one in his final season since Roberto Clemente did in 1972. Gordon not only harbored the level of attentiveness necessary, but he also - and maybe more importantly - maintained it. Instincts, arm strength and athleticism may put a person in the position to hoist that many karats of gold, but it also takes an inconceivable amount of attentiveness to the craft. Winning eight Gold Glove awards does not happen by coincidence. NEW - Fans weren't able to observe Alex Gordon's last day in a Royals uniform, so I decided to track the finale from start to finish. “He was playing it like it was the seventh game of the World Series,” Brett said. ![]() Brett’s eyes then returned to the man in left field, who was contorting his body to put himself in a position to gun out a runner that did not exist. Chatter filled the air, but almost at a whisper. Seats gleamed beneath the sun, no fans to distort the sunlight. They watched as Gordon crouched into a defensive position then darted after baseballs that were being hit by his Royals teammates in batting practice.īrett scanned the stadium that afternoon. They were sitting in the suite, observing a player who exudes the greatest qualities of the game they love. ![]()
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