Kansas City Royals player earns Legion Baseball honor
Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon named American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year for 2015.

Kansas City Royals player earns Legion Baseball honor

When Lincoln, Neb., native Alex Gordon joined the American Legion J.C. Brager Post 3 baseball team at 15 years old, he had high hopes of playing third base. However, it was already occupied by his brother, resulting in Gordon moving to left field — a position where he would later earn three consecutive Major League Baseball Golden Glove Awards and two Fielding Bible Awards.

The American Legion recently named the Kansas City Royals left fielder, whose team is on its way to the World Series, its 2015 Graduate of the Year for his character, leadership, playing abilities and community service.

Following his four seasons playing Legion Baseball, Gordon attended and played college baseball for the University of Nebraska where he received the Golden Spikes Award, Brooks Wallace Award and the Dick Howser Trophy. He also was named the American Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year, Baseball America Player of the Year and a two-time Big 12 Player of the Year and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Player of the Year. Gordon ended his college baseball career with a .353 career average, 44 home runs and 189 RBIs.

Gordon was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (second overall pick) of the 2005 MLB draft. During his first season with the minor league Double-A Wichita Wranglers team, he hit 29 home runs and earned the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year title. Two years later, he made his MLB debut and became a two-time All-Star recipient.

Off the field, Gordon is a dedicated supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. He donates his time to help spread awareness of the foundation and raises funds to support childhood cancer research.