Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alex Gordon

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 14, 2025

How Alex Gordon built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alexander Jonathan "Alex" Gordon is a retired American professional baseball player. A left fielder, he spent his entire MLB career (2007-2020) with the Kansas City Royals. Before turning pro, Gordon played college baseball at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Gordon was known for his defensive abilities and was a key part of the Royals' success in the mid-2010s, including their World Series championship in 2015.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: Plays on United States National Baseball Team

In 2004, Alex Gordon played for the United States national baseball team and was named the top offensive player at the World University Baseball Championship.

2005: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals

In 2005, Alex Gordon was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the second pick overall.

2005: Gordon Wins Collegiate Awards and Drafted by Royals

In 2005, Alex Gordon won the Brooks Wallace Award, Dick Howser Trophy, and Golden Spikes Award. The Kansas City Royals selected him with the second overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft.

2006: All-Star Selection and League Playoffs

In 2006, Alex Gordon was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and led the Wichita Wranglers to the Texas League playoffs.

April 5, 2007: First Major League Hit

On April 5, 2007, Alex Gordon got his first major league hit against the Boston Red Sox, off pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

April 10, 2007: First Major League Home Run

On April 10, 2007, Alex Gordon hit his first major league home run off pitcher Josh Towers of the Toronto Blue Jays.

2007: Gordon's MLB Debut with the Kansas City Royals

In 2007, Alex Gordon started his MLB career with the Kansas City Royals as a third baseman.

2008: Uniform Number Change and Opening Day Home Run

In 2008, Alex Gordon switched his uniform number to #4 and hit a home run on Opening Day against Justin Verlander.

2009: Injury, Surgery, and Stolen Base

In 2009, Alex Gordon underwent surgery for a torn labral cartilage, stole home for the first time in his career on August 2, and was later optioned to Triple-A Omaha before returning to the Royals in September.

July 23, 2010: Gordon Recalled to Royals Outfield

On July 23, 2010, Alex Gordon was recalled from Triple-A to fill David DeJesus's spot in the Royals' outfield.

2010: Demotion to Minor Leagues and Position Change

In 2010, Alex Gordon was demoted to the minor leagues by the Royals and transitioned from third base to the outfield.

2011: Breakout Season and Gold Glove Award

2011 was a breakout season for Alex Gordon as he set career highs in batting average, runs scored, stolen bases, and home runs. He also won his first American League Gold Glove Award.

February 9, 2012: Signs One-Year Deal with Royals

On February 9, 2012, Alex Gordon signed a one-year, $4.775 million deal with the Royals to avoid arbitration.

2012: Award Winning Season

In 2012, Alex Gordon finished with a .294 batting average, led the majors with 51 doubles, won a Fielding Bible Award, and won a Gold Glove Award.

2013: Gordon Expected to Be a Free Agent

Alex Gordon would otherwise have become a free agent after 2013.

2013: All-Star Selection and Gold Glove Award

In 2013, Alex Gordon earned his first All-Star selection, third consecutive Gold Glove Award, and second Fielding Bible Award.

2014: Gordon Plays in the World Series

In 2014, Alex Gordon and the Royals qualified for the postseason, with Gordon batting .204 and hitting a crucial single in Game 7 of the World Series, ultimately being stranded at third base.

2014: Gordon's Salary in 2014

In 2014, Alex Gordon earned $10 million.

2014: Hutch Award, Gold Glove, Fielding Bible, and Platinum Glove awards

In 2014, Alex Gordon received the Hutch Award for his off-the-field contributions, which included raising over $1 million for cancer research and supporting youth baseball in Omaha. He also received the Gold Glove, Fielding Bible, and Platinum Glove awards for his outstanding defensive performance.

2014: All-Star Selection and 1,000th Career Hit

In 2014, Alex Gordon was named to the All-Star Team for the second consecutive year and recorded his 1,000th career hit.

2015: World Series Championship

In 2015, Alex Gordon and the Royals won the World Series against the New York Mets, marking the first World Series title for the team since 1985. During Game 1, he hit a ninth-inning home run to tie the game, contributing to the Royals' eventual victory. His overall postseason performance included a .241 batting average with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs.

2015: Gordon's Salary in 2015

In 2015, Alex Gordon earned $12.5 million.

2015: Royals Win World Series, Gordon Signs Contract

In 2015, Alex Gordon was a member of the Kansas City Royals' World Series championship team. That offseason, he signed a four-year free agent contract to stay with the team.

2015: Best Offensive Season Since 2015

In 2019, he had his best offensive season since 2015.

January 6, 2016: Signed four-year deal with the Royals

On January 6, 2016, Alex Gordon signed a four-year contract worth $72 million to remain with the Royals, which included a mutual option for the 2020 season.

2016: Declines Player Option for 2016

Alex Gordon declined to exercise his player option of $12.5 million for 2016.

April 2017: First lead off appearance since April 2017

On September 27, Alex Gordon received one at-bat in which he struck out to lead off the bottom of the first inning, his first leadoff appearance since April 2017.

May 2018: First four-hit game since May 2018

Early in April 2019, Alex Gordon recorded his first four-hit game since May 2018.

November 2, 2019: Elected Free Agency

On November 2, 2019, Alex Gordon elected free agency.

2019: Best Offensive Season Since 2015 and Seventh Gold Glove

In 2019, Alex Gordon had his best offensive season since 2015, with a .266 batting average, .345 OBP, .396 SLG, 13 home runs, and 76 RBIs. He also won his seventh career Gold Glove.