"It means a lot, especially to have it with the same team the whole time," Gordon said. "It does mean a lot. I wish I would have had it at home. That would have been pretty cool, to share it with the fans."
Instead, he received a standing ovation from his teammates in the dugout. He eventually came around to score, part of an eight-run flurry in that frame.
The organization views Gordon as a model employee, and an exemplar for his younger teammates. He has become a two-time All Star after appearing to bottom out in his first few years in the majors.
"He's been one of the biggest pieces of this organization, since the moment I got here," manager Ned Yost said. "Of course, when I got here, he was in Class AAA. But from the minute I got here, I've always believed in this kid.
"I saw him early, and I knew he had a chance to be an All Star. I never dreamed he had a chance to be a Gold Glove winner — but he's won three straight Gold Gloves."
"Ned was my biggest supporter, my biggest believer," Gordon said. "So I owe a lot of it to him, giving me a second chance, and really believing in me. I have a lot of respect for him."
FROM THE STAR
Nori Aoki hit a grand slam. Billy Butler cracked four hits. The Royals romped over the Diamondbacks, and picked up some ground in the wild-card race.
Yost says he's figured out a way to expand his bench: He told James Shields be ready to pinch-hit this week at Chase Field.
THE ROYALS' PLAYOFF PERCENTAGE (ACCORDING TO BASEBALL PROSPECTUS)
24.7 percent.
HERE IS SOME ROCK MUSIC
"Mission Sunset" by Palms.
To reach Andy McCullough, call 816-234-4370 or send email to rmccullough@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @McCulloughStar.
Nori Aoki leads home-run parade with grand slam as Royals rout Diamondbacks 12-2
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