Royals Postseason Awards

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for two Royals players. Both Alex Gordon and Billy Butler have won postseason hardware; one for his glove and one for his bat.

On Tuesday, October 30^th, left fielder Alex Gordon won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award. Gordon is the first Royal’s player to win back-to-back Gold Gloves since exiled former second baseman Frank White did so in 1986-1987. Gordon’s second Gold Glove also marks the 20^th time a Royal’s player has won one; Alex being the only player since Mark Grudzielanek in 2006 to do so.

“I’m very excited about it,” Gordon said. “Hopefully, I can keep on being consistent in the outfield and keep bringing Gold Gloves home.” He should be excited; the boost in his paycheck because of the feat won't go unnoticed (Hint: Six Digits). 

Other Royals finalists for the award were right fielder Jeff Francoeur (who’s win would have signified the ending of all that is good), third baseman Mike Moustakas (who will win eventually), and first baseman Eric Hosmer (ditto).

Meanwhile, on November 8^th, Billy Butler won the Silver Slugger Award for Designated Hitter behind the line of: .313/.373/.510 line with a career-high 29 home runs, 32 doubles and 107 runs batted in. 

It also didn't hurt that Butler made his first All Star Game this summer.

Butler becomes the first Royals recipient of the award since Dean Palmer in 1998, and fourth player in Royals history – George Brett won the award in its inaugural season of 1980, and again in ’85 and ’88; Willie Wilson won in 1980 and ’82 as well.

But Billy’s award isn't without its skeptics. One such argument is that Edwin Encarnacion should have won. The same sort of argument was posed for Alex Gordon’s first Gold Glove and how Yankee’s left fielder Brett Gardner should have won. But on both counts, I don’t really care.

Banners fly forever and trophies never rust.