Kansas City Royals: Top 15 Pitchers In Losses All-Time

Kansas City Royals All-Time Loss Leaders – Number 7: Tom Gordon (71 Losses)

Tom ‘Flash’ Gordon was drafted by the Royals in the 1986 draft. At that time they were only a year removed from a World Series victory. No one could’ve predicted just how far they’d fall from grace.

Gordon debuted in 1988 at only 20 years of age. He spent most of his career as a Royal jumping from the bullpen to the rotation but did spend three of his eight years as a starter.

In spite of the fact that he was only a starter in less than half his Royals’ seasons, he still managed double digit win totals in five of those seasons.

In his Royals’ career, Gordon would strike out nearly eight batters per nine innings. His biggest issue was the walks that he issued, though his control got better later into his 21 year career.

Gordon always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time during his major league career. He played for the Red Sox when the Yankees were on there three year World Series’ winning streak.

He later helped the Red Sox to a World Series berth though he was on the wrong side of the ball. He gave up six earned runs as a reliever in the 2004 ALCS that saw the Red Sox become the only team to come back from three games down in the League Championship Series.

Gordon finally earned a World Series ring in 2008 with the Phillies. He did so from the bench due to an injury.

He finally hung up his spikes after the 2009 season, but an article published in 2010 from an interview with ‘Flash’ Gordon for Highlands Today. In it, Kate Rowland wrote:

"At 43-years-old, the right-hander is physically fit and thinks he still has what it takes to pitch Major League ball."

Gordon may be done, but his son Dee Gordon is tearing up the batting average category for the Marlins lately. His other son, Nick, is a promising young shortstop for the Twins. He’ll, unfortunately, probably give the Royals fits for years to come.

Next: A Pretty Good Lefty