Alex Gordon, seven players elected to Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame
The Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame in Beatrice has seven new members as of Sunday night, including a World Series champion.
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE - The Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame in Beatrice has seven new members as of Sunday night.
One of those members is a World Series Champion, 8-time Gold Glove award winner, Nebraska native, and a former Husker. That’s none other than former Royals outfielder Alex Gordon.
“It means everything,” Gordon said. “Growing up here, with family and friends, playing baseball my whole life, with all the accomplishments I got, to come back here and celebrate it with everybody”
Gordo was elected with six other players, those being Jeff Leisie of Lincoln, Jeff Christy of Lincoln, Charlie Colon of Lincoln, Ken Vergith of Fremont, and the late Eddie Brown of Ohiowa and Chris Gradoville from Omaha. Prior to the event Gordon took time to sign autographs for fans in attendance. Gordon has a unique tie to the Hall of Fame and Museum as its president Bob Steinkamp coached Alex while he was in college, playing summer ball for the Beatrice Bruins.
“He’s been helpful forever. It’s magic when he signs something, it’s like a fifty or hundred dollar bill,” Steinkamp said. “He’s doing all this for free, that just showed you what kind of guy he is. He’s a tremendous person.”
Gordon is a Lincoln native who played for Huskers during his college days and carries his Husker pride with him everywhere he goes. He talked about what his Nebraska ties mean to him.
“The family type atmosphere comes from everybody… Small town, Lincoln, Omaha, wherever,” Gordon said. “Wherever I was playing baseball, Chicago, New York, wherever, there was always a Nebraska fan in the stands cheering me on. My teammates always made fun of me about it, but it was something special, that they were always rooting for you and cheering you on.”
After a 14-year major league career, Gordon hung up his cleats after the 2020 season. He’s used these first few years of retirement to spend time with those that mean the most to him.
“Playing baseball, you spend a lot of time on the road, living out of a suit case, so, just trying to catch up on missed time with the family,” Gordon said.