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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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Apr 26, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at U.S Cellular Field. The White Sox and Royals complete their suspended game from Friday, April 24th, in the ninth inning due to weather, Chicago White Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at U.S Cellular Field. The White Sox and Royals complete their suspended game from Friday, April 24th, in the ninth inning due to weather, Chicago White Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

LEFT FIELD: ALEX GORDON

This one is easy. I could look up all kinds of metrics and hit you with a barrage of numbers, but Gordon’s four Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove with the KC Royals as the best defensive player in the American League in 2014 make this choice a snap.

Heck, Alex Gordon should have won a fifth Gold Glove in 2015. But, when Gordon missed two months with a hamstring injury, the selection committee went with Yoenis Cespedes—who promptly botched everything that came his way in the World Series with the Mets playing him in center-field.

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Great choice. I’m sure the selection committee is proud.

Getting back to the Kansas City Royals franchise, left field is where teams typically hide a poor outfielder. So Gordon really doesn’t have all that much competition.

Johnny Damon had range, but a lousy arm. David DeJesus didn’t make a single error while playing 139 games in left for the KC Royals in 2009, but he didn’t get a sniff for the Gold Glove. Willie Wilson moved to left late in his career, but he never had a good arm.

Alex Gordon gunned down 54 baserunners from the outfield between 2011-13. After that, teams learned not to run on Alex Gordon. Along with his great jump, acrobatic catches while crashing into walls, and his outfield assists, he forces even quick runners to play station-to-station baseball.

The only person who made me even consider an alternative was Bo Jackson. I’d LOVE to get him somewhere on this Kansas City Royals team, but he doesn’t really belong. Bo SHOULD have been here, but he never polished his defensive skills enough to make this list.

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