In American baseball, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to simply as the Gold Glove, is the award annually given to the Major League player judged to be the most "superior individual fielding performance" at each position (in each league), as voted by the managers and coaches in each league. Eighteen Gold Gloves are awarded each year, one at each of nine positions to a player in both the National League and American League.
- Note: The term "at each of nine positions" is not strictly accurate. Three outfielders are selected, but the award does not distinguish between left, center, and right fielders. Some critics have long called for awarding a single Gold Glove for each individual outfield position, arguing that the three outfield positions are not readily interchangeable defensively.
In 1957, the baseball glove manufacturer Rawlings invented the idea of the Gold Glove to commemorate the best fielding performance at each position in baseball. A glove made from gold lamé-tanned leather was affixed to a walnut base and the Gold Glove was born.
The most Gold Gloves ever won by a player is 16, a feat achieved by both third baseman Brooks Robinson and pitcher Jim Kaat.
The only player ever to win Gold Gloves as an infielder and outfielder is Darin Erstad, who won Gold Gloves as an outfielder in 2000 and 2002 and a first baseman in 2004, all with the Anaheim Angels.
Gold Glove awards also exist in other baseball leagues, such as in Japan.
In 1980, a Major League Baseball bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby, the maker of Louisville Slugger bats, sponsored the Silver Slugger Award to honor the best hitter at each position.
American League winners[]
- Pitcher
- Catcher
- First Base
- Second Base
- Shortstop
- Third Base
- Outfield (3)
National League winners[]
- Pitcher
- Catcher
- First Base
- Second Base
- Shortstop
- Third Base
- Outfield (3)
See also[]
- List of Gold Glove middle infield duos
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