But today Alex Gordon was recalled upon the completion of the O-Royals season. Word on the street is that Gordon wasn't happy in Omaha (really???) and RoyalsAuthority is even saying that trusty No. 4 might be better off with a new organization come this off-season. I feel Alex's pain... this organization hasn't handled him well. He was rushed back from his hip surgery to play in meaningless July games and then, when he didn't play well (surprised?) he was sent to Omaha -- just two seasons too late to save his confidence lost in the horrid 2007 debut.
But after hitting for a decent average and maintaining a .400 OBP in Omaha, I'm still holding out hope that Gordon will figure it out in the big leagues with the Royals. They have him under team control through 2013, when he'll be in his age 29 season.
I know hope is thin among Royals fans right now. Even I found myself nodding in agreement with RoyalsAuthority at the "new organization" talk. But Gordon is coming off a major injury and three full seasons of frustration. I'm willing to give him another shot next year.
Can he turn all this frustration into 30 HRs? Can he take out his anger by scoring 100 runs? Can he prove all the doubters wrong by sporting a .280/.400/.480 slash line?
I think Alex Gordon still has it in him. He's been mishandled by the Royals front office and has fallen from a can't miss prospect who swept all the player of the year awards to just another player we all wish was better. Those down on Alex right now see his numbers, see his attitude in Omaha and conclude he's done. But more than a few men have developed a chip on their shoulder and returned with a vengeance to claim sports glory.
If Alex is to do the same, he needs to harness his immense potential and use it to vent his mounting frustration. I think that's exactly what we'll see in 2010.
2 comments:
Funny how everyone's up on Butler and down on Gordon... and Butler is unlikely not only to match Gordon's 2008 WAR this season once everything's said and done, but will barely beat Gordon's 2007.
It's too bad that not only casual fans and journalists, but also some bloggers have bought into a... less that informed way of viewing Gordon's development so far.
d_f -- good observations about WAR. I figured Bam Bam was about a 2 WAR player but didn't realize that Gordon was a 2.7 WAR player last year... pretty impressive.
Apparently Trey Hillman said on 610 Radio that Alex had a great attitude and work ethic in Omaha and that we shouldn't believe what we read sometimes. I hope that's true.
I think this off-season will be telling for Gordon -- will he and his agent file a grievance to get back the year of team control? Will he just keep his mouth shut? I wouldn't blame him either way, but I think it will show his attitude towards KC in the process.
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