Alex Gordon
Encyclopedia
Alex Jonathan Gordon (born February 10, 1984 in Lincoln, Nebraska
) is a Major League Baseball
Outfielder
for the Kansas City Royals
.
.483 with 25 home run
s and 112 RBI
at Lincoln Southeast High School
in Lincoln, Nebraska
, from which he graduated in 2002.
scored in 24 contests and was named the top offensive player at the World University Baseball Championship
in Tainan, Taiwan after leading all players with a .524 average (11-for-21) with 2 homers, 5 RBI and 8 runs scored in 8 games.
In his junior year in 2005, he swept the collegiate baseball awards for college player of the year, winning the Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award, the Brooks Wallace Award and the ABCA Rawlings Player of the Year, he was also an ESPY Award Finalist for the Best Male College Athlete. He earned 1st-team All-America honors for the 2nd straight season going .372 (94–253) in 72 games with 22 doubles
, 4 triples
, 19 home runs and 66 RBI. Gordon was also 23 for 26 in stolen base
attempts, and drew 63 walks
, compared to 38 strikeout
s, helping lead the Huskers to the 2005 Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and the school's 3rd College World Series appearance. He posted a .353 career average, where he hit 44 homers and drove in 189 runs, drew 139 walks and struck out just 106 times and was only the 2nd 2-time 1st-team All-American in Nebraska history. He finished the season as the Big 12 leader (conference games) in walks and on-base percentage, while ranking 3rd in home runs, total bases and slugging percentage, Gordon was the highest draft pick out of Nebraska since Darin Erstad
was taken 1st overall in the draft.
He was named the No. 1 college draft prospect by Baseball America as well as the 2nd-best overall prospect, best pure collegiate hitter, the 2nd-best collegiate 5-tool talent, 2nd-best collegiate power hitter, best collegiate strike-zone judgment and 2nd-closest to the Majors among collegiate players.
by the Kansas City Royals
with the second pick overall. He hit 29 home runs and stole more than 20 bases with an OPS over 1.000 in his first full season in minor league baseball with the Double-A Wichita Wranglers
. He was generally regarded as one of the best hitting prospects in baseball playing in the Texas League
All-Star game and was selected for the 2006 All-Star Futures Game
.
Gordon declined to play for Team USA in , while leading the Wichita Wranglers to the Texas League
playoffs. He performed exceptionally well in his first full minor league season, winning the Texas League Player of the Year awarded to the best player award and Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award.
but eventually got his first major league hit
on April 5, , against another celebrated rookie, Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka
. On April 10, 2007, he hit his first major league home run off pitcher
Josh Towers
of the Toronto Blue Jays
.
Gordon struggled to begin with, but the Royals stayed patient with him. He was hitting .185 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI through the first two months as an everyday starter of the regular season. However he was hot in June, batting .327 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI. He stayed consistent through the summer, hitting .253 in July, and .271 in August. However, he slumped to a .244 average for the final month of the season.
On August 17, Gordon got his 100th major league hit
off pitcher Dan Meyer
of the Oakland Athletics
. On September 2, Gordon had the first multi-home run game of his career, connecting off Boof Bonser
of the Minnesota Twins
in the 2nd inning, and in the 3rd inning off Julio DePaula
. On September 7, Gordon hit a single
off former college teammate Joba Chamberlain
of the New York Yankees
. On September 12, Gordon hit his 34th double of the year in the seventh inning off Glen Perkins
of the Twins, establishing a Royals rookie record.
ace
Justin Verlander
, with Mark Grudzielanek
on first base.
The Royals placed Gordon on the 15-day disabled list
on August 23 because of a torn muscle in his right quadriceps. He was hitting .254 and was second on the team with 14 home runs, but also had club-high 109 strikeouts.
Gordon made the most errors (16) and had the lowest fielding percentage
(.955) of all AL third basemen in 2008.
in 2003. The Royals optioned third baseman Alex Gordon to Triple-A Omaha on August 18 and reinstated reliever Kyle Farnsworth
from the 15-day DL to take his spot on the active roster. After Omaha finished up its season, Gordon returned to the Royals in September.
, following a broken thumb suffered in Spring Training. Gordon was activated from the disabled list on April 17. He was demoted to the minor leagues in May, where he played left field. Gordon was recalled from Triple-A on July 23, 2010, to take the place of David DeJesus
in the Royals' outfield, who was placed on the disabled list with a right thumb sprain.
.
In 2011, he led all major league outfielders in assists, with 20. On November 1, 2011 it was announced that Alex had won his first American League Gold Glove for left fielder.
in 2006. Topps
issued Gordon's rookie card
prematurely, as only players on 25-man rosters or who have played in at least one Major League game are eligible. As a result, Topps stopped producing the card and cut holes in some of the existing cards. Examples that found their way into retail stores have garnered bids in the thousands of dollars on eBay
.
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Early years
Alex was born into a baseball-loving family in Lincoln, NE. Anecdotes indicate that all four of the Gordon Boys, Eric, Alex, Brett and Derek were named after famous baseball players. All of the boys played baseball from a very early age.High school
Gordon was a two-time Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year after hittingBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.483 with 25 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 112 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
at Lincoln Southeast High School
Lincoln Southeast High School
Lincoln Southeast High School is a public secondary-education school located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. It is part of the Lincoln Public Schools school district. Opening September 25, 1955 under the direction of Principal Hazel G. Scott with an enrollment of 652 students in grades 7-12, Southeast...
in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
, from which he graduated in 2002.
U.S. National Team
Alex was a member of the 2004 U.S. National Team which had players from 15 different colleges. He helped lead Team USA to an 18–7 overall record, seeing the majority of his playing time at first base. He hit .388 with 4 home runs, 12 RBI and 18 runsRun (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored in 24 contests and was named the top offensive player at the World University Baseball Championship
World University Baseball Championship
The World University Baseball Championship is an under-23 international college baseball competition sponsored by the International University Sports Federation and sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 2002 in Italy...
in Tainan, Taiwan after leading all players with a .524 average (11-for-21) with 2 homers, 5 RBI and 8 runs scored in 8 games.
University of Nebraska
| Year | G | AVG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SLG |
| 2003 | 62 | .319 | 216 | 45 | 69 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 48 | .495 |
| 2004 | 59 | .365 | 211 | 64 | 77 | 18 | 5 | 18 | 75 | .754 |
| 2005 | 72 | .372 | 253 | 79 | 94 | 22 | 4 | 19 | 66 | .715 |
| Total | 193 | .353 | 680 | 188 | 240 | 53 | 11 | 44 | 189 | .657 |
In his junior year in 2005, he swept the collegiate baseball awards for college player of the year, winning the Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award, the Brooks Wallace Award and the ABCA Rawlings Player of the Year, he was also an ESPY Award Finalist for the Best Male College Athlete. He earned 1st-team All-America honors for the 2nd straight season going .372 (94–253) in 72 games with 22 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 4 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 19 home runs and 66 RBI. Gordon was also 23 for 26 in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
attempts, and drew 63 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, compared to 38 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, helping lead the Huskers to the 2005 Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and the school's 3rd College World Series appearance. He posted a .353 career average, where he hit 44 homers and drove in 189 runs, drew 139 walks and struck out just 106 times and was only the 2nd 2-time 1st-team All-American in Nebraska history. He finished the season as the Big 12 leader (conference games) in walks and on-base percentage, while ranking 3rd in home runs, total bases and slugging percentage, Gordon was the highest draft pick out of Nebraska since Darin Erstad
Darin Erstad
Darin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
was taken 1st overall in the draft.
He was named the No. 1 college draft prospect by Baseball America as well as the 2nd-best overall prospect, best pure collegiate hitter, the 2nd-best collegiate 5-tool talent, 2nd-best collegiate power hitter, best collegiate strike-zone judgment and 2nd-closest to the Majors among collegiate players.
2005–2006
Gordon was drafted in 20052005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
with the second pick overall. He hit 29 home runs and stole more than 20 bases with an OPS over 1.000 in his first full season in minor league baseball with the Double-A Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
. He was generally regarded as one of the best hitting prospects in baseball playing in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star game and was selected for the 2006 All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
.
Gordon declined to play for Team USA in , while leading the Wichita Wranglers to the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
playoffs. He performed exceptionally well in his first full minor league season, winning the Texas League Player of the Year awarded to the best player award and Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award.
2007
In his first major league at-bat, Gordon struck out with the bases loaded against Curt SchillingCurt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
but eventually got his first major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
on April 5, , against another celebrated rookie, Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball in the United States. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. He was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze...
. On April 10, 2007, he hit his first major league home run off pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Josh Towers
Josh Towers
Joshua Eric Towers is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball...
of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
.
Gordon struggled to begin with, but the Royals stayed patient with him. He was hitting .185 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI through the first two months as an everyday starter of the regular season. However he was hot in June, batting .327 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI. He stayed consistent through the summer, hitting .253 in July, and .271 in August. However, he slumped to a .244 average for the final month of the season.
On August 17, Gordon got his 100th major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
off pitcher Dan Meyer
Dan Meyer (pitcher)
Daniel Livingston Meyer is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization....
of the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. On September 2, Gordon had the first multi-home run game of his career, connecting off Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser is a professional American baseball player. He is currently a pitcher in the New York Mets organization of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the 2nd inning, and in the 3rd inning off Julio DePaula
Julio DePaula
Julio Cesar DePaula is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He is currently a free agent.He appeared in 16 games for the Minnesota Twins in the season, pitching 20 innings total...
. On September 7, Gordon hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
off former college teammate Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. On September 12, Gordon hit his 34th double of the year in the seventh inning off Glen Perkins
Glen Perkins
Glen Weston Perkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. He made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2006. Perkins attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights...
of the Twins, establishing a Royals rookie record.
2008
Gordon switched his uniform number from #7, the number he had as a rookie, to #4, his college number. On Major League Baseball's opening day of , March 31, Gordon hit a two-run home run off Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
, with Mark Grudzielanek
Mark Grudzielanek
Mark James Grudzielanek is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed.-Early years:...
on first base.
The Royals placed Gordon on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
on August 23 because of a torn muscle in his right quadriceps. He was hitting .254 and was second on the team with 14 home runs, but also had club-high 109 strikeouts.
Gordon made the most errors (16) and had the lowest fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
(.955) of all AL third basemen in 2008.
2009
Gordon struggled in the beginning of the season, hitting just 2-for-21 (.095) with one homer and three RBIs in seven games. Gordon was injured on April 11 in a game against the New York Yankees when he slid into second base on a force play. He underwent surgery on April 17 to repair a tear in the labral cartilage of the right hip, and was on the disabled list for twelve weeks. After playing a few games in the minors, Alex came off the designated list and rejoined the Royals on July 17 going 1 for 4 against Tampa Bay. Alex stole home for the first time in his career on August 2 against the Rays becoming the first Royal to do that since Mendy LopezMendy Lopez
Mendy López Aude is a utility player who has played for many professional baseball teams including in the United States, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic.-Career summary:...
in 2003. The Royals optioned third baseman Alex Gordon to Triple-A Omaha on August 18 and reinstated reliever Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
from the 15-day DL to take his spot on the active roster. After Omaha finished up its season, Gordon returned to the Royals in September.
2010
Gordon began the 2010 season on a minor league rehab assignment with Class-A Advanced WilmingtonWilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
, following a broken thumb suffered in Spring Training. Gordon was activated from the disabled list on April 17. He was demoted to the minor leagues in May, where he played left field. Gordon was recalled from Triple-A on July 23, 2010, to take the place of David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
in the Royals' outfield, who was placed on the disabled list with a right thumb sprain.
2011
In spring training in 2011, he led the major leagues in RBIs, with 23. Gordon finished 3rd place behind Paul Konerko and Victor Martinez in the American League Final Vote for the All-Star game with a .299 average to start the year. He broke the Royals single season record and is leading the majors in outfield assists. He is also second in the majors in doubles, with teammate Jeff FrancoeurJeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
.
In 2011, he led all major league outfielders in assists, with 20. On November 1, 2011 it was announced that Alex had won his first American League Gold Glove for left fielder.
Baseball card issue
Gordon shortly after gained distinction through his baseball cardBaseball card
A baseball card is a type of trading card relating to baseball, usually printed on some type of paper stock or card stock. A card will usually feature one or more baseball players or other baseball-related sports figures...
in 2006. Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
issued Gordon's rookie card
Rookie card
"Rookie card" is a relatively subjective term generally referring to an athlete's first appearance on a trading card made for collectible or informational purposes...
prematurely, as only players on 25-man rosters or who have played in at least one Major League game are eligible. As a result, Topps stopped producing the card and cut holes in some of the existing cards. Examples that found their way into retail stores have garnered bids in the thousands of dollars on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Awards
- 2003 Big 12 All-Tournament Team
- 2003 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12
- 2003 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
- 2004 First-Team All-Big 12
- 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year.
- 2004 NCBWA District VI Player of the Year
- 2004 First Team All-American
- 2004 Baseball America First Team Summer All-American
- 2005 Big 12 All-Tournament Team
- 2005 First Team All-Big 12
- 2005 Big 12 Player of the Year
- 2005 NCBWA District VI Player of the Year
- 2005 First Team All-American
- 2005 Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Player of the Year - 2005 ABCA National Player of the Year
- 2005 Brooks Wallace AwardBrooks Wallace AwardThe Brooks Wallace Award is an award given by the College Baseball Foundation to the best college baseball shortstop of the year. The award has been given annually since 2004. Until 2008 the award was presented to the nation's most outstanding player; however in 2009 the recipient list was changed...
Winner - 2005 Dick Howser TrophyDick Howser TrophyThe Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
Winner - 2005 Golden Spikes AwardGolden Spikes AwardThe Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
Winner - 2005 ESPY Award Finalist for Male College Athlete of the Year
- 2006 Baseball America Double-A All-Star
- 2006 MLB.com Double-A Offensive Player of the Year
- 2006 Baseball America Minor League All-Star
- 2006 Texas LeagueTexas LeagueThe Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
Player of the Year - 2006 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year
- 2011 Royals Heart & Hustle awardHeart & Hustle AwardThe Heart & Hustle Award is given out annually by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association to a current player who not only excels on the field, but also "best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game."...
Winner - 2011 AL Left Field Gold Glove Winner
- 2011 Andrew Award Winner
- 2011 Beast Award Winner