Gordon remains hot topic in Royals' camp
Where will Alex Gordon open the season? At what position? How's he doing in Spring Training?
"It's nuts," Gordon said Saturday. "There are so many Nebraska-crazed fans. That's all they think about. I guess there's nothing else to do."
Gordon, who collected $4 million as the No. 2 choice overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is one of the University of Nebraska's prized products. He was the third baseman on the Cornhuskers' College World Series team and batted .372.
The questions keep pouring in.
"They should be asking Buddy Bell that," Gordon said.
So far, Gordon has played strictly at third base -- there have been just two workouts since his arrival. He's likely to open the season with Double-A Wichita.
"I kind of get the feeling that might happen, but I'm not 100 percent sure," he said.
Gordon has a special assignment Sunday, representing the Royals in a home run-hitting contest against the Texas Rangers. It'll take place about 1 p.m. MT before a celebrity game at Surprise Stadium.
He'll be joined by outfielder Chad Allen and first baseman Chris Richard, also non-roster players. Allen, who last played in the Majors for the Rangers, has 14 career homers (all for the Minnesota Twins).
Richard has 34 Major League homers, including 13 in 2001 and 15 in 2002 for the Baltimore Orioles.
"I'm just there as motivation for him," Allen said, nodding at Gordon. "They brought in an old guy to steady him."
Gordon, in his first pro exposure, had two home runs in the Arizona Fall League.
Catcher Paul Phillips promised to wear a Nebraska 'Huskers shirt and smuggle the school fight song onto the field.
"I'll have it on my ringtone in my cellphone and when he comes up, I'll turn it on," Phillips said. "I told him I'd bring something to make him smile."
The Rangers will send Kevin Mench, Ian Gac and Adam Hyzdu into the contest.
Dick Kaegel is reporter for MLB.com.