Alex Gordon will retire at end of 2020 MLB season after 14 years with Kansas City Royals
Alex Gordon #AlexGordon
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After 14 seasons, all with the Kansas City Royals, Alex Gordon is hanging his cleats up once the season ends.
As the No. 2 pick in the 2005 MLB draft, the Nebraska native entered his career with high expectations for a downtrodden organization. He set aside early struggles to become one of the game’s top left fielders, with seven Gold Glove Awards to prove it. Gordon was also a key piece of the Royals’ 2014 American League pennant run and the World Series championship in 2015.
Gordon made his debut in 2007 and, through the first four seasons, did not live up to expectations in the batter’s box. His 2011 campaign saw him post career highs in batting average (.303), home runs (23) and OPS (.879); it was also his first season as a full-time left fielder. “Gordo” made the first of three consecutive All-Star teams in 2013, and he won four straight Gold Gloves from 2011-14 (and three straight from 2017-19).
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Gordon hit one of the most important home runs in club history in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, when New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia tried to quick-pitch him with one out in the ninth inning and the Royals trailing by one. Gordon crushed the offering to dead center, tying the game, which Kansas City won in extra innings on its way to the club’s first championship in 30 years.
Gordon signed a four-year deal prior to the 2016 season and returned for 2020 on a one-year contract during manager Mike Matheny’s first season with the Royals. A fan favorite in Kansas City, no Royals fans will be in attendance to see Gordon’s final game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Gordon will retire at end of 2020 MLB season after 14 years with Kansas City Royals
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