“Moose!” Gordon yelled when he saw the man who followed him at third base.Īfter Moustakas was Eric Hosmer, then Merrifield. Then reliever Greg Holland, then former teammate Mike Moustakas. Perez had stopped the warmup with starter Brady Singer to provide a salute. The tributes would continue, but for a second, Gordon would look away and peer down to the bullpen. “I try to be the greatest like you,” Perez said. When longtime teammate Salvador Perez popped up on the screen, the blinking sped up even more. “I’ll be there when you get inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame,” Yost said. “You’ve been a great Royal, and now it’s time for you to ride off into the sunset.”įormer Royals manager Ned Yost was next - from his farm, of course. “I just wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done for the Royals and all the memories you’ve given me over the years,” Brett said. His smile looked like it had been superglued. Gordon saw it and responded the way we all do when we see our heroes. And they’re going to want to play third base and left field because they want to be like you.”Īfter congratulations, George Brett’s face popped up on the screen. “For generations,” Sweeney said, “people are going to want to wear your number.
The Royals had put together a grouping of send-off messages, beginning with Sweeney. Pregame, 1:22 p.m.: After hugs with those teammates, Gordon tucked in his jersey, pulled off his Royals cap and again peered up at the video board. They stood for a second and spoke a few words, then turned toward teammates Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Nicky Lopez, who had made their way out to greet him. On Sunday, as he finished the pregame stretches, Stoneberg stepped back, reached his hand down and lifted Gordon up. Trust allowed Stoneberg to provide advice to Gordon, and Gordon accepted it because of his burning desire to improve. “He was the guy who each and every day came into the clubhouse and had every moment accounted for. “He was the guy who set the tone,” Stoneberg said. The challenge was and continues to be gaining trust, and Stoneberg was able to do that early. Walking into the facility the first day, he knew he’d be dealing with bigger egos, more pressure and players who had very set routines. Stoneberg had been the Royals’ minor-league strength and conditioning coordinator before he took the job he now has with the big-league club. Pregame, 1:18 p.m.: Gordon lay on the ground while Stoneberg lifted his legs, stretching out the muscles that have been used for so many years. When they returned, Gordon somersaulted toward the ground, sprawled out and waited for strength and conditioning coach Ryan Stoneberg. Once they arrived at the right-field line, Dozier provided Gordon with a playful push, and they embarked on their pregame warmup, sprinting to the midway point in center field and back. And you don’t know how good of a person or teammate he is until you’re actually on the same team.” “During spring training, in big-league camp, I watched him work out. “He was somebody I looked up to when I watched Royals games in the minor leagues,” Dozier said. Fellow first-round pick Hunter Dozier, who had viewed Gordon as a model of consistency and hard work from the day he was drafted, followed behind. Wearing the classic all-white Royals silhouette, Gordon jogged out from the dugout toward the right-field line.
CT: He was the first Royals player to step onto the field … because of course he was. Knowing no fans would be able to see Gordon’s final day in uniform up close, The Athletic followed Gordon’s every move from the press box and spoke with teammates about the day that was: The moment was a small snapshot into Sunday’s many. Gordon threw his left arm around Merrifield’s shoulders, and Merrifield, realizing it, looked down, overcome by emotion in a way that time with friends and family can foster. When Merrifield’s comment wrapped up on the big screen, Gordon stepped forward. So we just spoke his language and won a baseball game. No words can properly bid farewell to someone who gave us as much as Alex Gordon. You’ve been an incredible friend, incredible teammate and incredible leader.” Just from the bottom of my heart, man, I just want to thank you so much for everything that you’ve done not only for me but also for everybody in this organization.
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“Gordo,” Merrifield began, “I don’t know how to tell you everything that I feel.
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