Royals’ Andrew Benintendi proud to carry on Alex Gordon’s legacy with first Gold Glove
Having to replace a franchise cornerstone Alex Gordon, one of the all-time defenders at his position, didn’t bother Kansas City Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi nearly as much as having to take his lumps from Gordon in fantasy football.
While the later left Benintendi “heated,” he has embraced the former and the task of carrying on the daunting legacy Gordon established prior to his retirement at the 2020 season’s end.
Benintendi took a significant initial step in carrying on that mantle by winning his first Gold Glove award and keeping the honor in the family so to speak. Royals left fielders have won nine of the last 11 American League Gold Gloves.
“It’s nice to try to fill his shoes in some kind of way,” Benintendi said of Gordon. “Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go. But to keep it there — left field at Kauffman — there is pride, especially with how much we focus on defense throughout the year and through spring training. It’s a big field. Defense is a priority there. To share it with Alex Gordon, a guy who has been there doing it for such a long time, means a lot.”
Gordon won a franchise-record eight Gold Gloves, a mark he shares with Frank White, as well as two Platinum Gloves. A former No. 2 overall draft pick of the Royals from nearby Nebraska who converted to the outfield from third base and helped anchor a World Series team, Gordon’s ties and backstory can easily cast a large shadow in KC.
The even-keeled and often stoic Benintendi never seemed to let that affect him one way or the other.
“I try to just stay in my lane, focus on what I can control,” Benintendi said. “I think when you try to start being somebody else, you start making mistakes. I’m just trying to stay within myself out there and do anything too over the top. …
“Obviously, trying to fill shoes from Gordo is tough. What did he have, eight Gold Gloves? I guess year-by-year I’ll try to gain on him a little bit.”
The honor also signified who deftly Benintendi transitioned from the most unique left field parameters in the majors as the everyday left fielder at Fenway Park with the fabled Green Monster to roaming left field in the AL’s biggest ballpark.
Benintendi, acquired from the Boston Red Sox last February in a trade, went from playing with his back against the wall just a hop, skip and a jump from the infield to playing defense where he must have felt like he’d been dropped into the middle of a wide-open plain.
Benintendi’s first Gold Glove also means each member of the Red Sox’ World Series winning team in 2018 now has won the top defensive honor. He joined his former teammates Jackie Bradley Jr. (one Gold Glove) and Mookie Betts (five Gold Gloves) as winners. Gordon won in 2018 and kept the Red Sox from sweeping the outfield awards that season.
“It’s a complete 180,” Benintendi said of playing at Kauffman Stadium. “You’ve got a bunch of room out there to run. I think the biggest adjustment for me was coming in on ground balls and realizing you really don’t have a play unless the ball is hit really hard at you just because you’re so far out there. Your depth is so deep. Obviously at Fenway, you’re right on top.”
Benintendi more than sufficiently conquered the adjustment in his first season. Benintendi, who actually had more defensive runs saved from 2016-20 than Gordon, tied for the AL lead in defensive runs saved (seven) among left fielders this season.
His six outfield assists ranked second among AL left fielders, including a walk-off throw to the plate to cut down the would-be tying run in a win at home against the Houston Astros in August, the fourth walk-off assist in Royals history and the first without a relay throw.
He also made home run saving catches on the road against the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners.
Benintendi led AL left fielders in starts, innings (1,116), total chances (234), putouts (225) and fielding percentage (.987).
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Defensive Index rated Benintendi the AL’s top defensive left fielder this season.
Assuming Benintendi gets over the fantasy football loss, he still has a resource in Gordon he hasn’t fully tapped into to raise his comfort level at Kauffman Stadium.
“Initially I texted him before the season started or he texted me,” Benintendi said. “A little back and forth there, but not too much. His first year off, I wasn’t going to bother him with anything. I’m sure if I see him around whether it’s in spring training or throughout the season, I’ll pick his brain here and there.”
