Dee Gordon
Encyclopedia
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon (born April 22, 1988 in Windermere, Florida
) is an American
professional baseball
shortstop
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
of Major League Baseball
.
, the younger Gordon did not take up baseball until his high school years, having previously dedicated himself to basketball. Gordon played at Avon Park High School
(like his father), Seminole Community College and Southeastern University, all in central Florida. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the fourth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
.
of the Pioneer League he hit .331 in 60 games. With the Great Lakes Loons
in 2009, Gordon hit .301
and stole 73 bases. He was named the MVP of the Midwest League
, selected to its mid-season and post-season All-Star teams and selected as its "Prospect of the year". The Dodgers also selected him as their "Minor League Player of the Year". In 2010, he was with the Chattanooga Lookouts
in the Double-A Southern League
and was selected to represent the Lookouts in the All-Star game but was unable to play because he was also selected to the All-Star Futures Game
. He hit .277 in 133 games in 2010, while stealing 53 bases and committing 37 errors. He played for Gigantes de Carolina
in the Puerto Rico Baseball League after the season. He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
at the start of 2011.
.
After an injury to shortstop Rafael Furcal
, the Dodgers purchased Gordon's contract on June 6, 2011 and he made his major league debut in the top of the ninth as a pinch runner
against the Philadelphia Phillies
that night, and scored a run. His father
was in attendance. The next day, in his first start, he had hits in his first three major league at bats and stole a base. In a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
on July 1, Gordon stole second, third and home in the same inning. He became the first Dodger player since Harvey Hendrick
in 1928
and the first Major Leaguer since Jayson Werth
on May 12, 2009
to accomplish that feat. Gordon appeared in 56 games for the Dodgers, hitting .304 with 24 stolen bases. He also stole 30 bases for the Isotopes, giving him a total of 54 between the Majors and the Minors in 2011. Despite playing in just 56 games for the Dodgers, Gordon's 24 stolen bases were tied for the most by a rookie during the 2011 season. He was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie team
.
player Tom Gordon
. When Devaris was 6 years old, his mother Devona Strange was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. Tom Gordon, who had been Devona's high school sweetheart, gained custody of Devaris and raised him with the help of his own mother. Dee followed in his father's footsteps when he appeared in the Midwest League
All-Star game, just as his father did 21 years before.
Windermere, Florida
Windermere is a town in Orange County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,897. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the town had a population of 2,019. It is expected that the 2010 census will show the town with almost 3000 people...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Prep and college
Despite being the son of Major League pitcher Tom GordonTom Gordon
Thomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the...
, the younger Gordon did not take up baseball until his high school years, having previously dedicated himself to basketball. Gordon played at Avon Park High School
Avon Park High School
Avon Park High School, is located in Avon Park, Florida. It is a four year high school with a total student enrollment of 1164.-Fight Song:Fight on for Avon ParkWe will cheer you on your wayFight on for Avon ParkWe will cheer you as you play...
(like his father), Seminole Community College and Southeastern University, all in central Florida. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the fourth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
.
Minor leagues
In 2008 with the Ogden RaptorsOgden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
of the Pioneer League he hit .331 in 60 games. With the Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
in 2009, Gordon hit .301
and stole 73 bases. He was named the MVP of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, selected to its mid-season and post-season All-Star teams and selected as its "Prospect of the year". The Dodgers also selected him as their "Minor League Player of the Year". In 2010, he was with the Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
in the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
and was selected to represent the Lookouts in the All-Star game but was unable to play because he was also selected to the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
. He hit .277 in 133 games in 2010, while stealing 53 bases and committing 37 errors. He played for Gigantes de Carolina
Gigantes de Carolina (baseball)
The Gigantes de Carolina are a baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League . Based in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico, the Gigantes are the reigning back to back champions of the LBPPR..They play at Roberto Clemente Stadium...
in the Puerto Rico Baseball League after the season. He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
at the start of 2011.
Los Angeles Dodgers
At the start of 2011 he was the Dodgers' best prospect according to Baseball AmericaBaseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
After an injury to shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
, the Dodgers purchased Gordon's contract on June 6, 2011 and he made his major league debut in the top of the ninth as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
that night, and scored a run. His father
Tom Gordon
Thomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the...
was in attendance. The next day, in his first start, he had hits in his first three major league at bats and stole a base. In a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on July 1, Gordon stole second, third and home in the same inning. He became the first Dodger player since Harvey Hendrick
Harvey Hendrick
Harvey "Gink" Hendrick was an American major league baseball player who played for several different teams during an eleven-year career.Born in Mason, Tennessee, Hendrick attended Vanderbilt University...
in 1928
1928 Brooklyn Robins season
The Brooklyn Robins finished in 6th place, despite pitcher Dazzy Vance leading the league in strikeouts for a seventh straight season as well as posting a career best 2.09 ERA.- Offseason :...
and the first Major Leaguer since Jayson Werth
Jayson Werth
Jayson Richard Gowan Werth is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.-Background:Werth was born in...
on May 12, 2009
2009 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2009 season was the 127th season in the history of the franchise. The team, managed by Charlie Manuel, began their sixth season at Citizens Bank Park and defense of their 2008 World Series championship on April 5...
to accomplish that feat. Gordon appeared in 56 games for the Dodgers, hitting .304 with 24 stolen bases. He also stole 30 bases for the Isotopes, giving him a total of 54 between the Majors and the Minors in 2011. Despite playing in just 56 games for the Dodgers, Gordon's 24 stolen bases were tied for the most by a rookie during the 2011 season. He was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
.
Personal
Gordon's father is former Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Tom Gordon
Tom Gordon
Thomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the...
. When Devaris was 6 years old, his mother Devona Strange was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. Tom Gordon, who had been Devona's high school sweetheart, gained custody of Devaris and raised him with the help of his own mother. Dee followed in his father's footsteps when he appeared in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
All-Star game, just as his father did 21 years before.