More Than a Decade Later, Gordon Is Home
Published on August 5, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK - Home is where Brian Gordon's heart has always been. Tucked away in a baseball dream he folded up more than a decade ago when baseball scouts convinced him he'd never make it as a pitcher but had a shot as a hitter.
But after a decade of willingly accepting advice, Gordon is one step closer to his major league dream by accepting no road but his own.
The 10-year outfielding veteran, who refused to return to the playing field as anything but a pitcher after a disappointing 2006 season, was promoted from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Round Rock late Friday.
He will wear No. 40 for the Express.
Gordon, 28, was a standout at Round Rock High School, pitching his team into the 1997 state finals with a perfect 10-0 record as a senior. But when the Arizona Diamondbacks plucked him out of high school in the seventh round of the draft that year, Gordon traded his pitching arm in for his prowess at the plate.
He shifted to the outfield, where he trekked through the ranks, eventually spending four seasons at the Triple-A level of the Diamondbacks', Los Angeles Angels' and Houston Astros' organizations.
A lifetime .274 hitter with 118 minor league home runs, Gordon batted a career-low .246 with the 2006 Express and decided that a decade of trying to chase down someone else's dream was enough.
"I wanted to make it to the major league level, that's always been the goal," Gordon said. "So after last year, I approached Houston and asked if they would let me try pitching. I just wanted to give it one last chance. I believed I could do it."
That leap of faith landed Gordon at Double-A Corpus Christi after an extended stay in spring training. Pitching professionally for the first time in his career, Gordon walked two and struck out one against Midland on May 3.
He went on to rack up a 5-1 record with one save and a 2.88 earned-run average over 30 relief appearances with the Hooks. Gordon struck out 43 against 19 walks and allowed just three home runs over 50 innings of work.
And late on the evening of Aug. 3, Gordon got the call he'd been waiting for. His dream was getting closer to becoming a reality and he was finally coming home on his terms.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 5, 2007
- Isotopes Take Opener, 6-4, Over Sky Sox - Albuquerque Isotopes
- River Cats' Wives Diaper Drive to provide over $11,000 worth of diapers for local families in need - Sacramento River Cats
- Gordon Makes Debut After 10 Years Away - Round Rock Express
- Beavers, Health Net Raise $18,315 During Annual 'Strike Out Breast Cancer' Game - Portland Beavers
- Sounds Blow Late Lead, Drop Series Opener - Nashville Sounds
- Hammock Heroics Lift Sidewinders - Tucson Sidewinders
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- More Than a Decade Later, Gordon Is Home - Round Rock Express
- Fresno "Giants" Unable To Salvage Fourth Game Of Series - Fresno Grizzlies
- Z's split series in Sacramento - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Beavers Rally Falls Short Against Sounds - Portland Beavers
- Offense Slugs Out 13 Hits, Five Doubles - Round Rock Express
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