The ending is pure gold for KC Royals’ Alex Gordon

It is not too often a player gets a fitting ending to their career.  The perennial defensive outfielder for the KC Royals was able to do just that.

The announcement of Gold Glove winners on Election Night assured us at least some races would be decided on the first Tuesday in November.  Alex Gordon was able to capture one more shining moment on his way into retirement from the KC Royals.

Although he suffered arguably the worst offensive season in his career, Gordon still put great work in at left field.  He played error-free baseball and recorded another four assists giving him 102 total from the outfield.

This is the second time in his career that Gordon captured four consecutive Gold Glove awards, last doing so from 2011-2014.  Although he comes up four short of tying Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente for most by an outfield, Gordon did not become a full-time outfielder until age 27 and retired at age 36.  He won this award a remarkable 80% of the time he played the position.

The fans of the Royals have not just witnessed the greatest defensive outfielder in franchise history but easily one of the top five in the history of baseball.  Not only was he smooth, smart, and accurate, but Gordon was completely fearless often putting his body on the line to make the play.

Some of the categories he led the league in during his time roaming left field include: most assists in a season (2011-2013), double plays turned (2020), putouts (2011-2014, 2019), fielding percentage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2020), and range factor (2011-2014, 2016, 2019).

Some of his attributes that cannot be measured are the energy he brought to the team.  After making an amazing play in the outfield teammates would be pumped and put together a rally in their half of the inning.  His steady veteran presence having gone through a rough beginning to his career and then coming back as an All-Star player after a reset was motivational to many.

This is the type of player you will explain to people generations from now, be grateful you were able to see it unfold in front of your eyes.  Thank you Alex for your dedication to the KC Royals and for leaving it all on the field.