n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”rich”,”width”:550,”__typename”:”ExternalEmbedContent”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”dee-strange-gordon-mentor-for-anthony-alford”,”type”:”story”}).parts.3″:{“data”:{“type”:”id”,”generated”:true,”id”:”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”dee-strange-gordon-mentor-for-anthony-alford”,”type”:”story”}).parts.3.data”,”typename”:”ExternalEmbedContent”},”type”:”oembed”,”__typename”:”ExternalEmbed”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”dee-strange-gordon-mentor-for-anthony-alford”,”type”:”story”}).parts.4″:{“content”:”In Alford’s first game back, he recorded three hits. It was a sign of things to come. To finish the year, Alford hit five home runs with a 114 wRC+ across 38 games. On Sept. 3, Alford had his first multi-homer game. Along with the bat, Alford provided great defense at the corners. Alford, finally, found consistent success.nn”Watching him play well, and then watching him go to the Major Leagues and play well, it was pretty exciting,” Strange-Gordon said.nnAlford and Strange-Gordon’s time as teammates is over, but their relationship outside the lines only matured from there. This offseason, Strange-Gordon invited Alford and his family to Orlando, Fla., where they participated in Jemile Weeks’ kickball tournament that featured Rickie Weeks Jr. and CC Sabathia, among others. The two still communicate, and with Strange-Gordon being a non-roster invite with the Nationals, they may have an opportunity to link up and reminisce.nnFor now, Alford is down in Bradenton, trying not just to start on Opening Day, but to keep that spot for good this time around. Nothing, of course, is guaranteed for Alford. Manager Derek Shelton said that there will be position battles at the corner outfield spots. But after finishing the season like Alford did, he is one of the favorites.nnMaybe he builds upon his late-season success. Maybe this season is his best to date, one that …….
Source: https://www.mlb.com/news/dee-strange-gordon-mentor-for-anthony-alford