Royals legend Alex Gordon officially retiring after 2020

The Kansas City Royals announced that Alex Gordon will retire.

Life in between championships was hard for the Kansas City Royals, as they routinely ranked among the worst teams in baseball from 1985 to 2014. One of the instrumental figures in turning this franchise around and leading them to consecutive AL pennants was Alex Gordon, who arrived in Kansas City as a No. 2 overall pick out of Nebraska and left as a Royals immortal.

With his playing career winding to a close at age 36, Kansas City confirmed that Gordon is going to retire at the end of this season, ending a 14-year career he spent exclusively with the Royals. Gordon was starting to look his age this season, as he hit .215 with just four home runs in 45 games on a Royals team that is clearly being led by Whit Merrifield.

Alex Gordon was extremely consistent and well-respected over the last 14 years in Kansas City

Gordon was a career .257 hitter with 190 home runs during his career. Gordon led the American League in doubles with 51 in 2012, and he was named an All-Star in three consecutive season from 2013-2015. His best accomplishments, however, came as a defensive player, as the former third baseman became one of the best defensive outfielders of all-time, evidenced by his seven Gold Glove awards.

Gordon might not have been the most productive offensive player on those mid-2010s Royals teams, but no one doubted who the leader in that clubhouse was. His legacy as a leader on a team that reversed the curse and helped Kansas City finally get back to the world series is ironclad.

Gordon might not be a Hall of Famer, but he is royalty in Kansas City. There is almost a 100 percent chance that Gordon will be the last player to ever wear No. 4 in Royals blue and white.