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Royals Time Machine: All-Time Defensive Team

By John Viril

Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) catches a fly ball by Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (not pictured) in the second inning during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) catches a fly ball by Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (not pictured) in the second inning during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the cap and glove of Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) before game three of the ALDS against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the cap and glove of Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) before game three of the ALDS against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

CENTER FIELD: AMOS OTIS

Here’s a case where hardware speaks. Amos Otis won the first three Gold Gloves in Kansas City Royals history for his prowess in center field in 1971, 1973, and 1974. That’s good enough for me.

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    • Yes, his dWAR numbers weren’t particularly impressive with 0.6 dWAR in ’71, -1.3 dWAR in ’73, and 0.6 dWAR in ’74. Then again, I don’t entirely trust these attempts to look back at early 70’s fielding data and try to put it into a modern sabermetric framework.

    I know, I’m not entirely being consistent since I gave weight to dWAR numbers in other places in this list. Too bad. If you don’t like it, you can leave me nasty messages down below.

    Isn’t that part of the fun of reading a web-site? Who am I to deny my Kings of Kauffman readers such pleasure. Flame away!

    Otis has more Gold Gloves than any center fielder in KC Royals history. Willie Wilson won the award in 1980, but he didn’t have a good arm (Otis had 10, 10, and 8 outfield assists in his Gold Glove seasons). Carlos Beltran was a fabulous all-around athlete and a five-tool baseball talent who won three Gold Gloves in his career, but those came after he signed with the New York Mets.

    Johnny Damon had range in his youth, paired with a noodle arm. Besides, he moved to left when Beltran arrived in 1999.

    I must confess, I came close to tabbing Beltran for this Kansas City Royals honor. I’m sure he’s crying in his soup after hearing about the snub. Oh well. I’m going with A.O.

    Deal with it.

    Next: Left Field

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