KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There is at least now some validation for what many observers felt throughout the 2013 season: That this Royals' team was the best defensively in club history.
For the first time ever, the Royals took home three Gold Gloves when left fielder Alex Gordon, catcher Sal Perez and first baseman Eric Hosmer all snatched the awards which were announced Tuesday night on ESPN2.
The Royals had won two Gold Gloves in the same season in 1977 and 1989.
"I'm very proud for our players, coaches and scouts," general manager Dayton Moore said in a teleconference call. "They worked very hard and I'm excited for them. This is very special and very exciting."
Shortstop Alcides Escobar and center fielder Lorenzo Cain were finalists but did not win. Yet Moore believes their time will come as well.
"Alcides and Lorenzo are terrific athletes and defenders," Moore said. "I truly feel we could have six, maybe more (Gold Glove winners) in the future. Mike Moustaksas is a terrific third baseman. Again, it's unfortunate that Alcides and Lorenzo didn't win but their time will come."
Gordon, who had 17 assists this season, racked up his third straight Gold Glove, becoming only the second Royal in club history to win at least three straight. Frank White won six straight from 1977-82.
"The first one was special because it was the first one," Gordon said. "But this one is the most special of all because I get to share it with two other teammates."
Gordon, who converted from third base to the outfield in 2010, continues to establish his reputation as the gold standard among left fielders in the game, an accomplishment derived from being perhaps the hardest worker on the team.
"I feel, though, that all the guys on our team work hard," Gordon said. "We all take pride in our defense.
"I know I've heard that Boston might be the best defensive team in the league but I think we are right up there."
As Gordon looked back on all the great plays he made in 2013, the one that stands out was the one he started in Detroit late in the season. With the Royals clinging to a 1-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Gordon grabbed a one-hop rocket hit by Omar Infante off the left-field wall and fired a perfect relay to Escobar.
Escobar in turn fired a bullet on one hop to Perez, who made an incredible one-handed scoop to his left and then dived to his right to tag out Prince Fielder for the game's final out.
"That one was special because we had three people involved," Gordon said.
Hosmer agreed.
"I wasn't even involved and it was my favorite play of the year," Hosmer said.
Hosmer, a finalist last season, won the award for the first time and became the first Royals first baseman to ever win a Gold Glove.
"Just to be able to play and compete in such an elite league is special," Hosmer said. "It means a lot that we had other winners and it's a tribute to all of our teammates, too."
Hosmer led all American League first baseman with 122 assists.
Perez also was a first-time winner and became just the second Royals catcher to win the award -- Bob Boone won it in 1989.
Perez is on a baseball tour in Spain with teammate Jeremy Guthrie and could not be reached for comment.
But Royals manager Ned Yost, a former catcher, couldn't have been prouder.
"He's our quarterback," Yost said. "He directs the defense and he's just a special, special player. I have said it before -- I would suspect he will be winning this thing for years to come, just like some of our other guys."
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
