1984 – Alex Gordon (Third Base – 2007-Present)

1978 – Ruben Mateo (Outfielder – 2004)

1970 – Alberto Castillo (Catcher – 2004-05)

1954 – Larry McWilliams (Pitcher – 1989-90)

Happy Birthday!

 

Royals fans know that Alex Gordon was a two-time All-American at the University of Nebraska where he helped lead the Huskers to a Big 12 regular season and tournament championship and College World Series appearance. His junior season in Lincoln was one of the best in recent NCAA baseball history and won Alex the Dick Howser Trophy as college baseball’s most outstanding player. 

Extra Credit: What former Husker pitcher gave up one of George Brett’s milestone hits?

The Dick Howser Trophy is viewed as the baseball equivalent to football’s Heisman Trophy and was established in 1987 to honor the memory of the Royals Hall of Fame Manager. It is a fitting tribute because Dick Howser had a deep appreciation and love for college baseball. He was a two-time All-American himself at Florida State and later coached the Seminoles as well.

Answer: Former Husker Stan Bahnsen served up George Brett’s first major league hit on August 2, 1973. Brett grounded a fourth-inning single off the White Sox hurler at Comiskey Park for hit #1 on the way to 3,154.

 

Did You Know: The first recepient of the Dick Howser Trophy was Mike Fiore of the University of Miami. So what connection does Mike Fiore have to the Royals?

Well the 1987 Dick Howser Trophy Winner Mike Fiore never played for the Royals – but his father Mike Fiore was a member of the original 1969 Kansas City Royals.