Veteran Alex Gordon return to Royals for more than just role in outfield

On a crystal-clear Opening Day afternoon in 2007, the Kansas City Royals hosted the Boston Red Sox.

For the Royals, Gil Meche was the starting pitcher while Mark Teahen and Mike Sweeney were the power bats hitting third and fourth. Batting fifth was 23-year old Alex Gordon, making his MLB debut.

Meanwhile, some of his future 2020 teammates were spending their Mondays very differently.

“In 2007 I was an eighth grader,” said Royals outfielder Nick Heath, 25.

“I was in seventh grade,” fellow outfielder Brett Phillips, 25, added.

Phillips to Heath: “Wait when did you graduate (high school)?”

Heath: “2012.”

Phillips: “We were both in seventh grade then.”

Heath: “Oh, you’re right ... now we’re in the same locker room? That’s nuts.”

Roughly a week before Royals FanFest in late January, Gordon, now 36, re-signed with Kansas City on a one-year, $4 million deal, which quelled retirement speculation.

Now, Gordon has two roles for the Royals this season that go hand in hand.

As long as he stays healthy, he’ll likely have a major role on the field.

The Royals have a veteran starting outfield with Gordon, Whit Merrifield (31) and Hunter Dozier (28), but the next wave of players don’t have a lot of major-league experience.

That leads the 13-year veteran to his other role, as the example for the younger players finding their footing.

“It’s about everyone getting their work done,” Gordon said. “But at the same time it’s younger guys asking older guys what it takes to get to where they are and how to stay where they are, picking each other’s brains and learning as much as we can.

“Even at my age, I’m trying to learn little things I can do. So, as long as you keep an open mind and try to get better and learn then that means the most.”

Fighting for outfield spots and playing time will be Heath (no major league games), Bubba Starling (27, debuted in 2019), Phillips (played sparingly over the past three years) and perhaps Khalil Lee, a 21-year-old non-roster invitee who is the Royals’ fourth-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Royals manager Mike Matheny sees Gordon’s presence as an opportunity for the younger players.

“To have a guy around that decorated, accomplished and that respected is huge,” Matheny said. “For the younger players, it’s a lot to live up to and that’s how it should be. They should watch and learn and strive to be like that.”

Much of Gordon’s leadership comes from his everyday routine. How he carries himself and continues to work hard opens the eyes of his teammates.

“The way he goes about his business, he’s 100% in drills and practice and games,” Phillips said.

Starling added: “Ever since I got into big league camp games he’s been one of the guys I’ve wanted to emulate my game after. Watching him go through his routines is pretty special. Gold Glover, Platinum Glover, you strive to do what he’s done every day.”

Gordon emphasized that he just tries to be himself and lead by the way he operates. But that does not mean Gordon’s opposed to showing teammates the way.

Starling called him a “great guy to talk to on the field” and someone who helped him become more at ease on the big stage.

That help is part of the veteran’s legacy now.

Entering his 14th big league season, Gordon has a lot of miles on him, 1,703 games worth.

His hitting over the past four years (84 OPS+) has been well below the level he showed in years prior (121 OPS+ over the previous five years).

Last season was a step in the right direction (96 OPS+), but Gordon likely isn’t guaranteed to remain an everyday starter for long.

But his work ethic has made an impression on the young crop of outfielders and has set the model for how they could strive to reach new heights, and perhaps one day become the example for a new generation.