Anthony Gordon worked on consistency, as brother Tom said

Anthony Gordon went three shutout innings for the short-season Bellingham Mariners in August 1989. He then went to see his brother, major leaguer Tom Gordon, who was in Seattle with the Royals, The Bellingham Herald wrote.

"We've always stuck together," Anthony Gordon told The Herald of his brother. "He tells me to try and be consistent and just have as many good outings as I can, because consistency, not one good outing, is what's going to move me up."

That season marked Anthony Gordon's second as a pro. He went on to see time in five more. He topped out at AA.

Anthony Gordon's career began in 1988, taken by the Mariners in the 26th round of the 1987 draft out of Avon Park High School and Polk State College in Florida. Gordon was also credited as Tony Gordon.

Gordon started with the Mariners in the rookie Arizona League. He went 1-6 in 15 outings, five starts, with a 9.30 ERA.

He moved to Bellingham for 1989 and saw another 15 outings, five starts. He went 2-3, with a 4.85 ERA. He then saw high-A Peninsula for 1990 and had a 5.02 ERA in 25 outings, three starts.

Gordon moved to the Royals system and high-A Baseball City for 1991, after being released by the Mariners. That July, he spoke with The Tampa Tribune about his new team and his career.

"Being released by Seattle has changed me," Gordon told The Tribune. "I have the same ability I had when I played for the Mariners, but now I have begun working harder."

Gordon saw 19 relief outings and had a 1.90 ERA. He returned to Baseball City for 1992 and then moved to the White Sox and high-A Sarasota mid-year in a trade.

"I want to play in the majors; it doesn't matter what team," Gordon told The Tribune after the trade that June. "I've been released, traded, everything. It's a long road, and I know when I get there, I'll appreciate it." 

Gordon made it to AA Birmingham for 1993. He saw 37 relief outings and had a 2.58 ERA. He then moved to the Brewers and AA El Paso for 1994. He saw 15 relief outings there, with a 5.29 ERA to end his career.

• Bellingham Herald, Aug. 20, 1989: Boys on the bench
• Tampa Tribune, July 6, 1991: Gordon looking to forge own identity with K.C.
• Tampa Tribune, June 2, 1992: Anthony Gordon on move

More: The 1990 Peninsula Pilots

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,192
Made the Majors:1,378-32.9%
Never Made Majors:2,814-67.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:560
10+ Seasons in the Minors:344