Alex Gordon Inspires Rejoicing, Hope

April 25, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam home run in the tenth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals are in first place after a tough road trip filled with off days, postponements, and difficult opponents. And they came out of it 4-3 and stay in first place.

While Thursday afternoon’s game was decided by a bases loaded walk by George Kottaras, the punctuation mark on the win was delivered by Alex Gordon:

After Lorenzo Cain doubled, Mike Moustakas walked. A wild pitch to Jeff Francoeur sent both up one base and, to get a force out, the Tigers had Phil Coke intentionally walk Francoeur. Kottaras worked a five pitch walk to bring in the lead run, then Darin Downs took over for Coke. Chris Getz reached on a fielder’s choice that retired Moustakas at the plate and Gordon came up with two outs.

And destroyed a 2-0 fastball.

The Internet lit up (or at least, the Royals fan side of the Internet did):

I'm not sure how far Alex Gordon just hit the first grand slam of his career. But I feel sorry for the baseball.
— Rob Neyer (@robneyer) April 25, 2013

Gordon's slam has to be one of the longest home runs hit this season. That was amazing. #Royals
— Kevin (@Kevin_Agee) April 25, 2013

In fact, Alex Gordon ended up being a trending topic on Twitter:

Alex Gordon and #Royals at the top of the trends. Love to see that. pic.twitter.com/XtbCKZjQF8
— Matt Hayes (@matt_yogi_hayes) April 25, 2013

Just as impressive as hitting a home run was the context in which he did it. Comerica Park is a big stadium, especially out to center. Downs was brought in because he was a lefty and Jim Leyland wanted to get the platoon advantage.

Some advantage.

I mean ... off a lefty ... in extras ... dead center ... in THAT park? Jeez.
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) April 25, 2013

Got busy at work. Just watched Alex Gordon hit a grand slam off a lefty to dead center at Comerica in the rain. Nice! #Royals #A1
— Doug Howard (@IowaRoyal) April 25, 2013

R. Lefebvre: "Been watching games here in this park for 14 years. I've NEVER seen anyone hit a home run to dead center into 3rd row!" #Gordo
— Greg Hall (@greghall24) April 25, 2013

Immediately after, the thought turned to Gordon’s place on the team and a reminder of his story. Like Jeff Herr, I recall questioning Gordon’s role on the Royals back in 2010 when he was sent down.

So awesome that Gordon has become just about every bit of what we hoped for when he was drafted. #BetterLateThanNever
— Jeff Herr (@TheJeffReport) April 25, 2013

I'll admit, I was saying to trade Gordon went he went down to AAA in 2010. I was wrong. Glad he's still here.
— Jeff Herr (@TheJeffReport) April 25, 2013

That provides some hope. The early-season stories have centered around the struggles of Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, two highly-touted prospects at every step, who have struggled this year (Moose much more so than Hosmer). Gordon had similar struggles, facing a disappointing rookie year, a nice sophomore effort, then a series of injuries during 2009 (torn labrum) and 2010 (broken thumb) that kept him from getting any kind of groove going. He should have been an All-Star in 2011, probably 2012 as well, and this year, well, you can vote here to help him get there this time around.

Alex Gordon is an All Star. Booked. Sign, sealed, delivered. No question.
— Brian (@BrianMcGannon) April 25, 2013

Gordon is the best player on this team. And 1 of the top 5 players in the AL. This point cannot be debated. #Complete #Royals
— Craig Brown (@CraigBrown_KC) April 25, 2013

I have to agree with those sentiments. Alex Gordon is the man.