For years, Alex Gordon lobbied the Royals’ coaching staff for an opportunity to play center field. In time, the pleading became an inside joke of sorts. Gordon revered Ken Griffey Jr., the iconic Mariners center fielder, as a child. He loved the idea of patrolling the outfield. In spring training, Royals manager Ned Yost said the club would allow Gordon, a franchise staple in left field, to “live out his fantasy.”
On Thursday here at Tropicana Field, Gordon made his first start in center field in his 932rd career start in the outfield. The assignment came one day after he made a sensational catch up against the wall in center after replacing Lorenzo Cain in the seventh in a 12-1 loss.