Archives for November 2014

The Babe Ruth of the Minors – Buzz Arlett

November 26, 2014 by
Buzz Arlett - the minor league's greatest player - during his time with the Minneapolis Millers.

Buzz Arlett – the minor league’s greatest player – during his time with the Minneapolis Millers.

Russell Loris “Buzz” Arlett made his major league debut (for the Phillies) on Opening Day (April 14) 1931 – and he made the most of it.  A 32-year-old rookie, with 13 minor-league seasons (the first five as a pitcher) under his belt, Arlett started in right field, batting sixth.  He went two-for-four, with a double and a run scored.  He went on to play in 121 games (RF/1B) that season, hitting .313, with 18 home runs (fourth in the NL) and 72 RBI.  Despite showing this promise, Arlett was back in the minor leagues in 1932, where he remained for six more seasons before leaving the professional ranks.

So, why did I choose to dedicate this BBRT post to Buzz Arlett? The decision was based on his minor-league accomplishments, but also influenced by my current geography.

First, his minor-league accomplishments.  While Arlett made a pretty good “splash” in his lone MLB season, he was a big fish in a small pond in the minor leagues – as a pitcher and a hitter. In fact, baseball pundits (including sabermetrics guru Bill James) have labeled Arlett the Babe Ruth of the minor leagues.

  • As a pitcher, Buzz Arlett picked up 106 minor league wins – and, while at the top of his game (1919-1922), he went 95-71 for the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. His best PCL season on the mound was 1920, when he pitched a league-leading 427 1/3 innings, won a league-high 29 games (17 losses), and notched a 2.86 ERA.
  • When Arlett’s strong right arm succumbed to overwork, he switched to the outfield/first base. In his first season as primarily a position player, Arlett hit .330, with 19 home runs and 101 RBI. He went on to hit .341, with 432 home runs and 1,786 RBIs in his minor-league career. His 432 home runs were the U.S. minor-league record, until passed by Mike Hessman in 2015. Hessman finished with 433 long balls in 19 minor-league seasons. (The non-MLB record belongs to Hector Espino, who hit 484 home runs in the Mexican leagues).

In 1984, the Society for American Baseball Research named Arlett (already a member of the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame) the “All-Time Greatest Minor League Player.”

Then, there is the influence of geography. BBRT calls Minnesota home and Arlett’s Minnesota ties piqued my interest.  Arlett spent three seasons at the end of his playing career with the American Association’s Minneapolis Millers – hitting .334, with 81 home runs and 285 RBI in 312 games. Arlett joined the Millers in late May of 1934, coming over from the Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association, yet still managed to league the American Association in home runs with 41, while hitting .319 with 132 RBI in 166 games. The following season, at the age of 36, he hit .360, with 25 home runs and 101 RBI in 122 games for the Minneapolis squad.

After retiring from professional baseball,  Arlett (who served as a minor-league manager and major-league scout after his playing days) settled in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/Saint Paul) and operated a successful restaurant and bar (Arlett’s Place, near Nicolett Park, where he had played for the Millers.) His final resting place is Lakewood Cemetery (Minneapolis).

And the impact of geography goes further. As I noted in my most recent post, I am on a family road trip from Cannon Falls to Davis, California.  As I write this I am in Davis – about 2,000 miles from home, but just 18 miles from Arlett’s Elmhurst, California birthplace and 70 miles from Oakland, where Arlett played most of his minor-league career.  Seems like serendipity to me.

So, here’s a look at Buzz Arlett’s baseball story.

Russell Loris Arlett was born January 3, 1989 in Elmhurst, California – a Sacramento suburb, which also happened to be about 85 miles from the home of the Oakland Oaks Pacific Coast League (PCL) baseball team.   Russell had three brothers and the boys were known to be avid and talented baseball players.  His oldest brother Al – eight years Russell’s senior – began playing professionally in 1911, primarily in the Pacific Coast League. In 1918, Al “Pop” Arlett, was playing for the Oakland Oaks and the Arlett family, including 18-year-old Russell, decided to make a family trip and join Al at Spring Training.  By this time, the youngest of the Arlett brothers had grown to a strapping (for the times) 6’3”, 185-pounds – and had shown some amateur pitching prowess (his nickname “Buzz” came from his ability to cut through opposing lineups like a buzz saw).

During spring training that year, the Oaks were hit hard by injuries and found themselves short of players for an intra-squad game. Buzz Arlett boldly offered to fill the gap and  Oaks’ manager Del Howard decided to give the youngster an unplanned chance to pitch. The kid showed good stuff – earning a few more opportunities spring training and, eventually, a spot on the team.

With Arlett’s signing a PCL legend was about to be born, but it didn’t look that way at first, as Arlett won four and lost nine that first season.  In 1919, however, Arlett mastered a devastating spitball (to complement a solid fastball and curve) and came into his own as a pitcher. His record over those four seasons was 95-71, 3.20.  Here’s a look at Arlett’s four best seasons as a hurler:

  • 1919 … 22-17, 3.00 earned run average
  • 1920 … 29-17, 2.89
  • 1921 … 19-18, 4.37
  • 25-19, 2.77

More important, Arlett tossed 1,468 1/3 innings in 212 games over those four seasons – an average of 367 innings per year.  By 1923, his right arm was pretty much worn out, and that season he took the mound in only 28 games, duplicating the 4-9 record of his rookie campaign. Not content to sit on the bench and wait for his arm to recover, Arlett, who had been used as a pinch hitter over the previous five seasons, begged his way into the everyday lineup as an outfielder. Still favoring his lame right arm, the natural right-handed hitter also spent hours in the batting cage developing left-handed hitting skills.  (Arlett is considered to be one of – if not the first – power-hitting switch hitters.) In his first primarily  “offensive” season, Arlett hit .330, with 19 homers and 101 RBI.  That was just the beginning. Consider these offensive stats.  As a minor leaguer (19 seasons), Buzz Arlett:

  • Hit over .300 twelve times, with a high of .382 for the Pacific Coast League Oakland Oaks in 1926.
  • Topped 30 home runs eight times (including two seasons of forty-plus homers and a high of 54 for Baltimore of the International League in 1932).
  • Drove in more than 100 runs in a season twelve times, with a high of 189 for the PCL Oakland Oaks in 1929.
  • Recorded a 1929 Oakland Oaks’ season of 200 games played, 270 hits, a .374 average, 39 home runs, 189 RBI, 146 runs, 70 doubles and 22 stolen bases.
  • Playing for the International League Baltimore Orioles in 1932, Arlett hit four home runs in a single game twice in one season (June 1, July 4). Each game featured three left-handed and one right-handed blast from Arlett’s 44-ounce bat.
  • In a July 4, 1932 double header, Arlett hit home runs in the last four at bats of Game One (see above bullet) and another in his first plate appearance of game two – giving him home runs in five consecutive at bats.

So, why did a player with all this talent spend so little time in the major leagues?

Arlett was unfortunate enough to play at time when there was no draft and minor-league teams controlled their own players.  Further, the Pacific Coast League (PCL) was considered one of the top – if not the top – regional minor leagues.  Quality players, solid attendance figures and a weather-aided long season (sometimes more than 200 games) enabled the PCL to pay major league-level salaries and offer major-league playing conditions.  Teams demanded high compensation for top players (who not only won games, but put fans in the seats) and the Oaks were reportedly asking the princely sum (at the time) of $100,000 for Arlett.  While Arlett garnered some interest as a pitcher, the fact that he relied heavily on the spitball (banned by MLB in 1920) diminished his value.  Further, as interest from MLB teams began to rise, Arlett’s arm problems were also on the rise.  Later, Oakland’s high asking price kept the power-hitting Arlett in the minors until – facing a changing major league draft policy,  and an aging (and now up to a conservatively estimated 230 pounds) and somewhat-injury prone Arlett – the Oaks sold Arlett to the Phillies before the 1931 season.

Why did Arlett last only one year in the big leagues?

Again, age and injury were taking their toll.  That, coupled with the now “larger” Arlett’s reputation (correct or not) as a less than adequate fielder, resulted in his release by the Phillies.  The fact that, after being released, Arlett played six more minor-league seasons (actually five, in his final season – for Syracuse of the International League – he logged just four at bats) and hit .337, with 177 home runs and 598 RBI (in 657 games) indicates MLB gave up on Arlett when there was still plenty of lightening left in his bat.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Buzz Arlett SABR bio (by Cort Vitty); Runs, Hits and an ERA – The Pacific Coast League 1903-58, by Paul Zingg and Mark D. Medeiros, University of Illinois Press, 1994;  On to Nicollet, by Stew Thornley, Nodin Press, 2000.

This post updated, August 2022.

 

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Ten Reasons Why I Love Baseball

November 21, 2014 by

I’m currently on a road trip – helping my daughter and son-in-law move to Davis, California – so new posts are less frequent.  BBRT will be back in full swing in early December (or sooner). In the meantime, here’s an encore presentation of the first words I wrote for this page – a look at why I love baseball (and why BBRT exists). Hope you like it!


1.  Baseball comes along every spring,  accompanied by sunshine and optimism.

Baseball is the harbinger of better times.  It signifies the end of winter (not a small thing if you’re from Minnesota like BBRT) and the coming of spring, a season of rebirth, new life and abundant optimism.   Each season, you start with a clean slate.   Last year’s successes can still be savored, but last year’s failures can be set aside (although rival fans may try to refresh your memory), replaced by hope and anticipation.   On Opening Day, in our hearts, we can all be in contention.

 2.  The pace of the game invites contemplation.

Between innings, between batters or pitchers, and even between pitches, baseball leaves us time to contemplate what just occurred, speculate on what might happen next and even share those thoughts with nearby spectators.  Baseball is indeed a thinking person’s game.

3.  Baseball is timeless and, ultimately, fair in the offering of opportunity.

The clock doesn’t run out.  There is no coin flip to determine who gets the ball first in sudden death overtime.  No matter what the score, your team gets its 27 outs and an equal opportunity to secure victory.  What could be more fair?   And then there is the prospect of endless “extra” innings, bonus baseball for FREE.

4.  Plays and players are distinct (in space and time).

Baseball, while a game of inches, is also a game of considerable space.   The players are not gathered along an offensive line or elbow-to-elbow under a basket. They are widely spaced, each with his own area of responsibility and each acting (as part of a continuing play) in their own time frame.  (The first baseman can’t catch the ball, for example, until after the shortstop throws it.)   This enable fans to follow, understand  and analyze each play (maybe not always accurately) in detail.   And, baseball’s distinct spacing and timing makes it possible to see the game even when you are not there.  A lot of people grinned at President Gerald Ford’s comment that he “watched a lot of baseball on the radio.”  In my view, he was spot on.  You can see baseball on the radio – you can create a “visual” of the game in your mind with minimal description.    That’s why on summer nights, in parks, backyards and garages across the country, you’ll find radios tuned to the national past time.

 5. The scorecard.

Can there be anything more satisfying than keeping an accurate scorecard at the ball park?  It serves so many purposes.  The keeping of a scorecard ensures your attention to the happenings on the field.  Maintaining the score card also makes you, in a way understandable only to fellow fans, more a part of the game.   That magical combination of names, numbers and symbols also enables you to go back and check the progress of the game at any time.  “Oh, Johnson’s up next.  He’s walked and grounded out twice.”  It’s also a conversation starter, when the fan in the row behind you asks, “How many strikeouts does Ryan have today?”   And, it leaves you (if you choose to keep it) with a permanent record of the game, allowing you to replay it in your mind (or share it with others) at will.  Ultimately, a well-kept score card enhances the game experience and offers a true post-game sense of accomplishment.

6.  The long season.

Baseball, so many have pointed out, is a marathon rather than a sprint.  It’s a long season with ample opportunity to prove yourself and lots of chances to redeem yourself.  For fans, the long season also represents a test of your passion for the game.  Endurance is part of the nature of the true baseball fan.  And, and in the end, the rigors of a 162-game season prove your mettle and that of your team.   Not only that, but like a true friend … baseball is there for you every day.

 7.  Baseball invites, encourages, even demands , conversation.

Reason number two hinted at the importance of conversation, noting that the pace of the game offers time to contemplate the action (past and future) and share those thoughts with others.   I love that about the game, but I also love the fact that whenever baseball fans gather, their passion comes out in conversation – and they find plenty to talk about:

  •  Statistics,  statistics, statistics.  Baseball and its fans will count anything.  Did you know that Yankee Jim Bouton’s hat flew off 37 times in his 2-1, complete-game victory over the Cardinals in game three of the 1964 World Series?  More seriously, statistics are part of a common language and shared passion that bring baseball fans together in spirited conversation.  As best-selling author Pat Conroy observed “Baseball fans love numbers.  They love to swirl them around in their mouths like Bordeaux wine.”  I agree, to the fan, statistics are intoxicating.
  • Stories, stories, stories.  Baseball and its fans celebrate the game’s history.  And, I’m not talking just about statistics.  I’m talking about the stories that give this great game color, character and characters.  Ty Cobb sharpening his spikes on the dugout steps, Babe Ruth’s called shot, Louis Tiant’s wind-up, Willie Mays’ basket catch, Dock Ellis’s LSD-fueled no-hitter.
  • Trivia, trivia, trivia.  This may fall close to the “stories, stories , stories” category, but fans cherish the trivia that surrounds our national past time – whether that trivia is iconic or ironic.  For example, it’s ironic that the iconic Babe Ruth holds the best winning percentage against the Yankees of any pitcher with 15 or more decision against them (17-5, .773).

Basically, I took a long time to say I love the fact that baseball fans will talk with passion about something that happened in today’s game, yesterday’s game, over time or even in a game that took place on August 4, 1947.  And, as a bonus, all this conversation – all the statistics, stories and trivia – make the games, moments within the games and the characters of the game (heroes, goats and mere participants) as timeless as baseball itself.

 8.  The box score. 

BBRT editor’s  mother used to refer to an accordion as “an orchestra in a box.”  That’s how I view the daily box score – the symphony of a game recorded in a space one-column wide by four inches deep.   Some would say the box score reduces the game to statistics, I would say it elevates the game to history.  What do you want to know about the contest?   Who played where, when?  At bats, hits, stolen bases, strikeouts, errors, caught stealing, time, attendance, even the umpires’ names?   It’s all there and more – so much information, captured for baseball fans in a compact and orderly space.  I am, of course, dating myself here, but during baseball season, the morning newspaper, through its box scores, is a treasure trove of information for baseball fans.

 9. The irony of a team game made up of individual performances.

While baseball and baseball fans live for individual statistics and, while the spacing of the players drives individual accountability, the game is, ironically, deeply dependent on the concept of “team.”

Consider the offense.  Unlike other sports , where you can deliver victory by giving the ball or puck – time and time again (particularly as the clock runs down) –  to your best runner, skater, receiver or shooter, in baseball, your line-up determines who will be “on the spot” and at the plate when the game is on the line.  It may be your .220-hitting second basemen, rather than your .320-hitting outfielder.  Yet, even as the team depends on the hitter, he is totally alone in his individual battle with the pitcher.  And, achieving individual statistics that signify exceptional performance also demands a sense of team.  You don’t score 100 runs without a team mate to drive you in (although the statistic remains your measure of performance) …  and, you don’t drive in 100 runs if no one gets on base in front of you.   And, can you think of any other sport that keeps track of – and honors – the team-oriented “sacrifice.”

On defense, the story is the same.  A ground ball pitcher, for example, needs a good infield behind him to optimize his statistical presence in the “win” column.  And the six-four-three double play requires masterful teamwork as well as individual performance –  duly recorded in the record books as an assist for the shortstop, a putout and an assist for the second baseman and a put out for the first baseman.  Then there is the outfield assist – a perfect throw from a right fielder to nail a runner at third earns an assist – even if the third baseman drops the ball and earns an error.  Two individual results (one good / one bad) highlighted, but without the necessary team work – a good play on both ends – a negative outcome in terms of the game.

Ultimately, baseball is a game of individual accomplishments that must be connected by the thread of “team” to produce a positive outcome.

10. Baseball’s assault on the senses.  (Indoor ballparks fall a bit short here).

The sight of a blue sky and bright sun above the ballpark or a full moon over a black sky above a well-lit stadium.  The feel of the warm sun or a crisp evening breeze.  The scent of freshly mowed grass or steaming hot dogs.  The taste of cold beer and peanuts.  The sound of the crack of the bat, the cheers (or moans) of the crowd, the musical pitch of the vendors.  Baseball assaults all the senses ―  in  a good way.

Now, I could go on and on, there are lots more reasons to love this game: its combination of conformity (all infields are laid out the same) and individualism (outfield configurations not so much); its contributions to culture (literature and movies); its strategy (hit-and-run, run-and-hit, sacrifice bunts, infield / outfield positioning, pitching changes, etc.); triples; the 6-4-3 double play; knuckleballs; and more.  But to protect myself – and BBRT’s readers – I’ve limited myself to ten.   I probably could have saved a lot of time and words  had I just started with this so-perfect comment from sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, “The other sports are just sports.  Baseball is love.”  That says it all.

Do you have some reasons of your own for loving baseball?  Or something to add to these observations?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Filed Under: Rants & Raves

Kershaw in Good Company – 22 Pitchers have Won MVPs

November 13, 2014 by
Clayton Kershaw - 22nd hurlr to win a league MVP Award.

Clayton Kershaw – 22nd hurlr to win a league MVP Award.

In Baseball we count everything, so – with Clayton Kershaw’s recent MVP recognition –  it’s appropriate to note that Kershaw set a new mark for the fewest games appeared in by a league MVP at 27. The previous mark was 30 games – by the Yankees’ Spud Chandler in 1943.  Like Kershaw, Chandler led his league in victories, earned run average, won/lost percentage and complete games.  (Chandler also led in shutouts.)

As always, there was some controversy over a pitcher winning the MVP – particularly a pitcher that (due to injury) started only 27 games.  There is however, plenty of precedence for a pitcher to be recognized as a league’s Most Valuable Player.  Kershaw, in fact, is the twenty-second pitcher to capture a league Most Valuable Player Award (denoted at different times as the MVP Award, League Award or Chalmers Award). With Walter Johnson (1913, 1924), Carl Hubbell (1933, 1936) and Hal Newhouser (1944, 1945) each winning the MVP award twice, a total of 25 MVP Awards have gone pitchers.

A complete list of pitchers earning the MVP follows, but here’s a few tidbits of info about pitchers and MVP Awards.

  • Of the 25 MVP awards won by pitchers, only four went to relievers: Jim Konstanty (Phillies, 1950); Rollie Fingers (Brewers, 1981); Willie Hernandez (Tigers, 1984); Dennis Eckersley (A’s, 1992).
  • The MVP has been awarded to a pitcher in the AL fourteen times and the NL eleven.
  • Sixteen of the twenty-five MVP winning seasons have been put up by right handers.
  • Nine of the 22 pitchers with MVP Awards are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
  • Wins seem the most critical factors in a pitcher’s ability to capture an MVP Award. Nineteen of the award-winning seasons saw the honored hurler leading the league in victories. Factor out the four MVP Awards that went to relievers and 90 percent of the “starter-winners” led their league in victories. Next was ERA leadership (16), followed by strikeouts and winning percentage (both at 11).
  • The Tigers’ Hal Newhouser is the only pitcher to win consecutive MVP Awards (1944, 1945). His combined record for the two seasons was 54-18, with a 2.01 ERA, 54 complete games and fourteen shutouts. Over the two seasons, he appeared in 87 games (70 starts), pitched 625 2/3 innings and even threw in four saves.
  • The MVP winners in both leagues were pitchers in two seasons: 1924 (Walter Johnson, Senators and Dazzy Vance, Dodgers) and 1968 (Denny McLain, Tigers and Bob Gibson, Cardinals).
  • Pitchers captured at least one league MVP in four consecutive seasons from 1942-45.
  • The fewest appearances (as noted earlier) by a pitcher MVP winner is 27 (Clayton Kershaw, 2014). The most is 80 (The Tigers’ Willie Hernandez, 1984).

Pitchers winning the BBWAA MVP Award (presented 1931-present)

*Denotes relief pitcher

2014 – Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers

21-3/1.77 ERA … Led NL in wins (21), ERA (1.77), W/L percentage (.875), complete games (6).

2011 – Justin Verlander, RHP, Tigers

24-5/2.40 ERA … Led AL in wins (24), W/L percentage (.828), ERA (2.40), games started (34), innings pitched (251), strikeouts (250).

1992 – Dennis Eckersley, RHP*, Athletics

7-1/51 saves/1.91 ERA … Led AL in saves (51). Allowed six walks versus 93 strikeouts in 80 innings.

1986 – Roger Clemens, RHP, Red Sox

24-4/2.48 ERA …. Led AL in wins (24), W/L percentage (.857), ERA (2.48).

1984 – Willie Hernandez, RHP*, Tigers

9-3/32 saves/1.92 ERA … Led AL in games pitched (80). Allowed eight walks versus 112 strikeouts in 140 1/3 innings.

1981 – Rollie Fingers, RHP*, Brewers

6-3/28 saves/1.04 ERA … Led AL in saves (28). Allowed five walks versus 61 strikeouts in 78 innings.

1971 – Vida Blue, LHP, Athletics

24-8/1.82 ERA … Led AL in ERA (1.82), shutouts (8).

1968

Denny McLain, RHP, Tigers

31-6, 1.96 ERA … Led AL in wins (31), starts (41), complete games (28), innings pitched (336).

Bob Gibson, RHP, Cardinals

22-9/1.12 ERA … Led NL in ERA (1.12), shutouts (13), strikeouts 268.

1963 – Sandy Koufax, LHP, Dodgers

25-5/1.88 ERA … Led NL in wins (25), ERA (1.88), shutouts (11), strikeouts (306).

1956 – Don Newcombe, RHP, Dodgers

27-7/3.06 … Led NL in wins (27), W/L percentage (.794).

1952 – Bobby Shantz, LHP, Athletics

24-7/2.48 ERA … Led AL in wins (24), W/L percentage (.774).

1950 – Jim Konstanty, RHP*, Phillies

16-7/2.66 ERA … Led NL in games (74), saves (22).

1945 – Hal Newhouser, LHP, Tigers

25-9/1.81 ERA … Led AL in wins (25), ERA (1.81), starts (36), complete games (29) shutouts (8), innings pitched 313 1/3, strikeouts (212).

1944 – Hal Newhouser, LHP, Tigers

29-9/2.22 ERA … Led AL in wins (29), strikeouts (187).

1943 – Spud Chandler, RHP, Yankees

20-4/1.64 ERA … Led AL in wins (20), W/L percentage (.833), ERA (1.64), complete games (20), shutouts (5).

1942 – Mort Cooper, RHP, Cardinals

22-7/1.78 ERA … Led NL in wins (22), ERA (1.78), shutouts (10).

1939 – Bucky Walters, RHP, Reds

27-11/2.29 ERA … Led NL in wins (27), ERA (2.29), starts (36), complete games (31), innings pitched (319), strikeouts (137).

1936 – Carl Hubbell, LHP, Giants

26-6/2.31 ERA … Led NL in wins (26), ERA (2.31), W/L percentage (.813).

1934 – Dizzy Dean, RHP, Cardinals

30-7/2.66 ERA… Led the NL in wins (30), W/L percentage (.811), strikeouts (195).

1933 – Carl Hubbell, LHP, Giants

23-12/1.66 ERA … Led the NL in wins (23), ERA (1.66), shutouts (10), innings pitched (308 2/3).

1931 – Lefty Grove, LHP, Athletics

31-4/2.06 ERA … Led AL in wins (31), ERA (2.06), W/L percentage (.886), complete games (27), shutouts (4), strikeouts (175).

League Award (presented 1922-29)

1924

Dazzy Vance, RHP, Dodgers

28-6/2.16 ERA … Led NL in (wins 28), ERA (2.16), complete games (30), strikeouts (262).

Walter Johnson, RHP, Senators

23-7/2.72 ERA … Led AL in wins (23), ERA (2.72), W/L percentage (.767), starts (38), shutouts (6), strikeouts (158).

 

Chalmers Award (presented1911-14)

1913 – Walter Johnson, RHP, Senators

36-7/1.14 ERA … Led the AL in wins (36), ERA (1.14), W/L percentage (.837), complete games (29), shutouts (11), innings pitched (346), strikeouts (243).

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

MLB Players to Win a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the Same Season

November 12, 2014 by
Adrian Gonzalez - only player to earn a Gold Glove AND a Silver Slugger in 2014.

Adrian Gonzalez – only player to earn a Gold Glove AND a Silver Slugger in 2014.

The 2014 Rawlings Golden Glove and (Hillerich and Bradsby) Silver Slugger Awards – honoring the best defensive and offensive  players in each league at each position are on the books – and Dodgers’ first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was the only player to capture both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger for this past season.  The 2014 season, in fact, marks the first time (since 1980, when the Silver Sluggers were first awarded) that only one player has earned both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same campaign. Note:  The Gold Glove award was established in 1957.

Since 1980, the combination of a Gold Glove/Silver Slugger has been achieved 169 times by 90 different players.  You’ll find a complete list of the players who have earned recognition as the offensive and defensive leader in their respective leagues at the end of this post. Since the Silver Slugger is awarded to three outfielders annually regardless of their position (LF, CF, RF), the lists in this post do not break outfielders out by position.  Before, we take a look at the full list, here are few SS/GG combination “factoids.”

 

  • Ivan Rodriguez (C), Ken Griffey, Jr. (OF) and Barry Bonds (OF) have each won the double (Silver Slugger/Gold Glove) crown in a season an MLB-record seven times.
  • Ivan Rodriguez won the SS/GG combo for his position a record six consecutive seasons (1995-1999).
  • Roberto Alomar (2B) is the only player to win the single-season Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo with three different teams (Blue Jays-1992; Orioles-1996; Indians-1999, 2000)
  • Ivan Rodriguez has the longest time period between his first and last SS/GG double crown (11 seasons – 1994-2004).
  • Mike Hampton is the only pitcher to win the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season (Braves – 2003).
  • Scott Rolen (3B) is the only player to win the SS/GG combo in a season in which he played for two different teams (2002, Phillies/Cardinals). Rolen was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals on July 29. He played 100 games for the Phillies and 55 for the Cardinals in his only SS/GG combo season.
  • Adrian Gonzalez (1B) and Matt Williams (3) are the only players to capture a SS/GG single-season combination in both the AL and NL. Gonzalez – Dodgers-2014; Red Sox-2011. Williams – Indians-1997; Giants-1993-1994.
  • 2014 saw the fewest SS/GG combination winners (1); 1984 saw the most (9).
  • Outfielders have achieved the SS/GG combo most often (65 times), but if you factor in the potential to achieve three combos each season, second baseman have been most successful, putting up 27 SS/GG seasons.
  • The only team to have three SS/GG winners in the same season is the 1993 Giants (Robby Thompson (2B), Matt Williams (3B), Barry Bonds (OF).
  • The top three teams in terms of SS/GG seasons are the Yankees (13); Rangers (12) and Mariners (11). The Cardinals lead the NL with nine. The White Sox and Marlins are the only teams to never have a player win a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the same season.
  • Eighteen players have captured a total of 22 MVP Awards in the same season they also won Silver Sluggers, led by Giants’ outfielder Barry Bonds, who achieved the MVP/SS/GG three times (1990, 1992, 1993). Two-time winners of the MVP/SS/GG include: Mike Schmidt (Phillies, 1981, 1986); Dale Murphy (Braves, 1982, 1983); Those accomplishing the MVP/SS/GG once are: Robin Yount (Brewers-1982); Ryne Sandberg (Cubs-1984); Willie McGee (Cardinals-1985);  Cal Ripken, Jr. (Orioles-1991);  Jeff Bagwell (Astros-1994); Barry Larkin (Reds-1995); Ken Caminiti (Padres-1996); Ken Griffey, Jr. (Mariners-1997); Larry Walker (Rockies-1997); Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers-1999); Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners-2001); Alex Rodriguez (Rangers-2003); Jimmy Rollins (Phillies-2007); Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox-2008); Joe Mauer (Twins-2009)

 

Ivan Rodriguez - did it behind the plate and at the plate. King of the Silver Slugger/Gold Glove combination winners. Seven overall, six consecutive.

Ivan Rodriguez – did it behind the plate and at the plate. King of the Silver Slugger/Gold Glove combination winners. Seven overall, six consecutive.

Here are your single-season SS/GG combination winners by year (with position and team).

 

Gold Glove/Silver Slugger Winners by Season

2014

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers

2013

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles

2012

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees

Chase Headley, 3B, Padres

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates

2011

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies

Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

2010

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies

Carl Crawford, OF, Rays

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies

2009

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Mark Tiexeira, 1B, Yankees

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals

Deterk Jeter, SS, Yankees

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

Torii Hunter, OF, Angels

2008

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Dustin Perdroia, 2B, Red Sox

David Wrights, 3B, Mets

Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians

2007

Russell Martin, C, Dodgers

Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers

David Wright, 3B, Mets

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2006

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

2005

Jason Veritek, C, Red Sox

Mark Tiexierea, 1B, Rangers

Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs

Andruw Jones, OF, Braves

 

2004

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Tigers

Jim Edmonds, OF, Cardinals

2003

Brett Boone, 2B, Mariners

Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals

Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

Mike Hampton, P, Braves

2002

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies

Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals/Phillies

Eric Chavez, 3B, A’s

Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals

Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

2001

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2000

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Indians

Darin Erstad, OF, Angels

1999

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Robert Alomar, 2B, Indians

Larry Walker, OF, Rockies

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays

1998

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Rangers

Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1997

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros

Chuck Knoblauch, 2B, Twins

Matt Williams, 3B, Indians

Larry Walker, OF, Rockies

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1996

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Orioles

Ken Caminiti, 3B, Padres

Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1995

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Craig, Biggio, 2B, Astros

Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

1994

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros

Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros

Matt Williams, 3B, Giants

Wade Boggs, 3B, Yankees

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1993

Robby Thompson, 2B, Giants

Matt Williams, 3B, Giants

Jay Bell, SS, Pirates

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1992

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays

Larry Walker, OF, Expos

Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1991

Will Clark, 1B, Giants

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Cal Ripken, Jr., SS, Orioles

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1990

Benito Santiago, C, Padres

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Kelly Gruber, 3B, Blue Jays

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Ellis Burks, OF, Red Sox

1989

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Eric Davis, OF, Reds

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

1988

Benito Santiago, C, Padres

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1987

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Ozzie Smith, SS, Cardinals

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

Eric Davis, OF, Reds

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

Andre Dawson, OF, Cubs

1986

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Frank White, 2B, Royals

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1985

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Tim Wallach, 3B, Expos

George Brett, 3B, Royals

Willie McGee, OF, Cardinals

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1984

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets

Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

1983

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers

Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

1982

Gary Carter, C, Expos

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Robin Yount, SS, Brewers

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1981

Gary Carter, C, Expos

Manny Trillo, 2B, Phillies

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

Rickey Henderson, OF, A’s

Dwight Evans, OF, Red Sox

Dusty Baker, OF, Dodgers

1980

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Cardinals

Cecil Cooper, 1B, Brewers

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

Willie Wilson, OF, Royals

 

Your  Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo winners listed alphabetically:

 Alomar, Roberto … 1992; 1996; 1999; 2000

Baker, Dusty … 1981

Bagwell, Jeff … 1994

Bell, Buddy … 1984

Bell, Jay … 1993

Beltre, Adrian … 2011

Beltran, Carlos … 2006; 2007

Biggio, Craig … 1994; 1995; 1997

Boggs, Wade … 1994

Bonds, Barry … 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997

Boone, Brett … 2003

Brett, George … 1985

Burks, Ellis … 1990

Caminiti, Ken … 1996

Cano, Robinson … 2010; 2012

Carter, Gary … 1981; 1982

Chavez, Eric … 2002

Clark, Will … 1991

Cooper, Cecil …1980

Crawford, Carl … 2010

Dawson, Andre … 1980; 1981; 1983; 1987

Davis, Eric … 1987; 1989

Edmonds, Jim … 2004

Ellsbury, Jacob … 2011

Erstad, Darin … 2000

Evans, Dwight … 1981

Gonzalez, Adrian … 2011; 2014

Gonzalez, Carlos … 2010

Green, Shawn … 1999

Griffey, Ken Jr. … 1991; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999

Gruber, Kelly … 1990

Gwynn, Tony … 1986; 1987; 1989

Hampton, Mike … 2003

Hardy, J.J. … 2013

Headley, Chase … 2012

Helton, Todd … 2002

Henderson, Rickey … 1981

Hernandez, Keith … 1980; 1984

Hunter, Torii … 2009

Jeter, Derek … 2006; 2009

Jones, Adam … 2013

Jones, Andruw … 2005

Kemp, Matt … 2009; 2011

Knoblauch, Chuck … 1997

Larkin, Barry … 1995; 1996

LaRoche, Adam  … 2012

Lee, Derrek … 2005

Martin, Russell … 2008

Mattingly, Don … 1985; 1986; 1987

Mauer, Joe … 2008; 2009; 2010

McCutchen, Andrew … 2012

McGee, Willie … 1985

Molina, Yadier … 2013

Murphy, Dale … 1982; 1083; 1984; 1985

Murray, Eddie … 1983; 1984

Palanco, Placido … 2007

Palmeiro, Rafael … 1998

Parrish, Lance … 1983; 1984

Pedroia, Dustin … 2008

Phillips, Brandon … 2011

Puckett, Kirby … 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1992

Pujols, Albert … 2010

Renteria, Edgar … 2002

Ripken, Cal, Jr. … 1991

Rodriguez, Alex … 2002; 2003

Rodriguez, Ivan … 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004

Rolen, Scott … 2002

Rollins, Jimmy … 2007

Sandberg, Ryne … 1984; 1985; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991

Santiago, Benito … 1988; 1990

Schmidt, Mike … 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986

Sizemore, Grady … 2008

Smith, Ozzie … 1987

Suzuki, Ichiro … 2001; 2007; 2009

Thompson, Robby … 1993

Tiexeira, Mark … 2005, 2009

Trillo, Manny … 1981

Tulowitzki, Troy … 2010; 2011

Van Slyke, Andy … 1988; 1992

Varitek, Jason … 2005

Walker, Larry … 1992; 1997; 1999

Wallach, Tim … 1985

White, Frank … 1986

Whitaker, Lou … 1983; 1984; 1985

Williams, Matt … 1993; 1994; 1997

Wilson, Willie … 1980

Winfield, Dave … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985

Wright, David … 2007; 2008

Yount, Robin … 1982

Ryan Zimmerman … 2009

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MLB Awards Season – Defensive Excellence

November 8, 2014 by
Honoring MLB's best gloves.

Honoring MLB’s best gloves.

The World Series is over and “The Awards Season” is upon us.  MLB, along with sponsoring organizations, has already begun recognizing the best in hitting, fielding and pitching – witness the recent Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards.  In the near future, we’ll see such recognitions as MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.  (The Baseball Bloggers Alliance has also announced its honorees in those major categories, which you will find by clicking here.)

In this post, BBRT will focus on the least glamorous, most often overlooked (or undervalued) segment of the regular season awards – those honoring defensive excellence. Why start with defensive recognition?  Several reasons:

1) The awards for defense are already out there.

2) With my favorite ballpark experience being a tightly played 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2 game, defense has always been a personal passion.

3) Defense counts. (Consider:  The Orioles and Royals each had an MLB-best three Gold Glovers and were the last two teams standing in the AL – The Cardinals and Royals led their leagues in Defensive Runs Saved and both made the “final four.”)  

4) As a Twins’ fan, I miss those days when the Twins were dominating the AL Central and Baseball Tonight’s Web Gems.

So, let get on with a look at the 2014 awards for defensive excellence.  The three most significant defensive recognitions are:

  • Rawlings Gold Glove … This is the most senior (and most recognized and publicized) defensive award, established in 1957. It is also considered the most subjective, with 75 percent of the results dependent on a vote of MLB managers and coaches and 25 percent on statistical defensive metrics (provided by MLB and the Society for American Baseball Research – SABR). The Gold Glove is awarded to one player at each position in each league.
  • The Fielding Bible Awards … Established in 2006, the Fielding Bible Awards are considered to be less subjective than the Gold Gloves. These awards are voted on by a panel of “sabermetrically” inclined and experienced journalists (and bloggers) – including such respected observers and reporters on the national pastime as Bill James, Peter Gammons and Joe Posnanski. The Fieldeing Bible Award is given to one player at each position.
  • Wilson Defensive Player(s) of the Year … Established in 2012, this recognition is based on scouting reports, traditional defensive statistics and sabermetric measures like Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) and other less self-explanatory statistics. The Wilson DPOY Award is given to one player at each position.

In addition, each year SABR honors the best defensive player in each league (any position) with the Platinum Glove Award – based on sabermetrics and a fan vote. Wilson also selects an overall Defensive Player of the Year – based on traditional and advanced fielding metrics.

If all of this seems clumsily complex or overly metric, that is not without reason.  The increased use of metrics in the awards process is intended to add accuracy and prevent occurrences like Texas Ranger Rafael Palmeiro’s 1999 Gold Glove at first base.

The Strangest Ever Gold Glove Recognition

In 1999, the Texas Rangers’ Rafael Palmeiro had a tremendous offensive year, hitting .324, with 47 home runs and 148 RBI.  He was an All Star and well-deserving of his Silver Slugger Award as the league’s best offensive first baseman. To further add to his reputation, Palmeiro also won his third-consecutive Gold Glove as the AL’s top defensive first baseman.  That recognition, voted by managers and coaches, came despite the fact that Palmeiro was primarily a designated hitter in 1999. He won his Gold Glove while starting just 28 games in the field and handling just 275 chances (with one error). In contrast, Gold Glove contender Tino Martinez (Yankees) handled 1,414 chances with seven errors (.995 percentage) and slick fielding Twins’ first sacker Doug Mientkiewicz recorded 930 chances with just three errors (.997 percentage).  Maybe they just didn’t want to spend all that time and money engraving Mientkiewicz’ name on the award.

Even with the added metrics, there is still controversy and there is not always agreement on the top defender – even among the three award programs.  The chart below shows the 2014 winners for each Award. Following the chart is BBRT’s take on MLB’s top defender at each position.  Note:  Unless otherwise noted, the metric rankings are for each position and include only players with at least 100 games at that position.

fldg chart

Now let’s look at the 2014 award winners.

Catcher

No agreement among the three awards here – with the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, Royals’ Salvador Perez and Pirates’ Russell Martin all claiming a share of the honors.  In the NL, the Gold Glove at backstop went to the Molina, his seventh consecutive such honor. (Molina also has won six Fielding Bible and two Wilson DPOY Awards.) Molina finished tied for fourth in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with eight, despite missing seven weeks due to injury. He finished fifth in dWAR (1.5). He also threw out 47.7 percent of attempted base stealers and achieved a 3.20 Catcher’s ERA, both best among players starting at least 100 games behind the plate.  In the AL, the Gold Glove went to the Perez, his second consecutive GG (in his second full MLB season). Perez led all MLB catchers in games started behind the plate (143) and in Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) at 2.1. He tied Molina for fourth in DRS at eight; threw out 30.5 percent of attempted base stealers and had MLB’s fourth-best full-time Catcher’s ERA (3.26).  The Fielding Bible Award winner was Jonathon Lucroy, who finished second in DRS (11) and tied for second in dWAR (2.0).  The Wilson DPOY went to Russell Martin of the Pirates, who finished number-one in DRS (12), despite starting only 106 games behind the plate.  Martin also threw out 38.5 percent of attempted base stealers and tied for second in dWAR at 2.0.  Martin won a Wilson DPOY Award in 2013.

Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina

BBRT’s Choice:  Yadier Molina.  It was a close contest between Gold Glovers Molina and Perez – both adept at calling a game, blocking errant pitches, “framing” a pitch and stopping base stealers.  Three factors swung my choice: Molina had the same number of Defensive Runs Saved as Perez in fewer games; Molina’s had a significant edge in throwing out potential base stealers; In eleven season, Molina has thrown out more than 40 percent of potential base stealers nine times – averaging 45 percent, with a high of 64 percent in 2005; while, in four season, Perez has thrown out an average of 33 percent of potential base stealers, with a high of 42 percent in 2012 – and his percentage has dropped in each of the past two seasons.

Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina and Royals left fielder Alex Gordon were honored with the Platinum Glove Awards as the top defensive players in their respective leagues. The award, presented by the Society for American Baseball Research, is based on a combination of sabrmetrics and a fan vote.

 First Base

Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez

Dodgers’ first sacker Adrian Gonzalez captured the NL Gold Glove, the Fielding Bible Award and the Wilson DPOY recognition.  It was Gonzalez’ fourth Gold Glove and first Fielding Bible and Wilson DPOY Awards, Gonzalez topped all first baseman with 12 Defensive Runs Saved and finished second overall and led NL first baseman in dWAR (0.2).  Gonzalez also showed good range, leading all of MLB first baseman with 1,442 total chances (six errors).  The Royals’ Eric Hosmer picked up the AL Gold Glove, his second. Hosmer finished sixteenth in DRS among first basemen (3).

BBRT Choice:  Adrian Gonzalez.

 

Dodgers’ first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was the only player to win both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award in 2014.

 

Second Base

Ian Kinsler

Ian Kinsler

Boston’s Dustin Pedroia took two honors here – The AL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award.  It was Pedroia’s fourth Gold Glove and third Fielding Bible Award. Pedroia has also won two Wilson DPOY Awards. Pedroia finished second among second basemen in DRS at 17 and dWAR at 2.5  He committed  just two errors in 654 chances – an MLB best .997 fielding percentage at the keystone sack. The Rockies’ DJ LeMahieu was the NL Gold Glover, finishing third in DSR (16) and dWAR (2.2).  LeMahieu committed six errors in 676 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. LeMahieu won a Wilson DPOT Award in 2013. Detroit’s Ian Kinsler earned the Wilson DPOY honor and topped all MLB second baseman with 20 DRS, as well as in dWAR (2.0). He also was first in MLB among second baseman in total chances (766) and second in assists (467).

 

BBRT Choice:  Tough call, but BBRT gives a slight edge to Kinsler over Pedroia, thanks to Kinsler edge in DRS, dWAR and total chances.

Third Base

Kyle Seager

Kyle Seager

Another major split among the defensive awards – four possible winners, four different choices.  The Gold Gloves went to the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado in the NL and the Mariners’ Kyle Seager in the AL.  Arenado finished third in DRS (16) and fourth in dWAR (1.9).  Seager finished seventh in DRS (10), fifth in dWar (1.7) He also made only eight errors in 422 chances, leading all MLB third sackers in fielding percentage at .987.  The Fielding Bible recognition went to the A’s Josh Donaldson, who led all of MLB third baseman in DRS with 20 and dWAR with 2.7. Donaldson did make 23 errors, but he also handled the most chances (482) of any third baseman (outdistancing Seager by 60 chances, while playing seven fewer games). The Wilson DPOY honoree at third base was Juan Uribe – who also won Wilson recognition in 2013. Uribe finished second among third basemen in DSR (17) and dWAR (2.0), despite playing only 102 games (starting 98) at third base.

BBRT Choice: Kyle Seager – on the basis of sure hands and top fielding percentage.  Could easily have gone to Josh Donaldson on the basis of range or Uribe on the basis of impact in only 102 games.

Shortstop

Andrelton Simmons - top the backhand.

Andrelton Simmons – top the backhand.

A sweep here, as the Braves’ Andrelton Simmons outran the field, winning the NL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOY honors. It his first two full seasons, Simmons has captured two Gold Gloves, two Fielding Bible Awards and two Wilson DPOY recognitions. Simmons finished first in all of MLB among shortstops with 28 defensive runs saved, first in dWAR at 3.9. The Orioles’ J.J. Hardy earned his third-consecutive AL Gold Glove, finishing fourth overall – and first in the AL – in DRS (10) at the shortstop position.  Similarly, he finished fifth overall and first in the AL in dWAR (2.1).

BBRT Choice: Andrelton Simmons.

Left Field

Alex Gordon as top left fielder - as clear as black and white.

Alex Gordon as top left fielder – as clear as black and white.

The Royals’ Alex Gordon won the AL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOY.  For Gordon, who switched to the outfield in 2010, after three seasons primarily at third base, it was his fourth-consecutive Gold Glove and third-consecutive Fielding Bible Award. How good was Gordon?  His 27 defensive runs saved were more than double nearest competitor – NL Gold Glove Winner Christian Yelich of the Marlins (13 DRS). Gordon also finished fourth in OF assists (8) and first in total chances (351). Yelich was no slouch finishing (a distant) fourth in dWAR (0.4), second in DRS and third in total chances (262).

BBRT Choice:  Alex Gordon is the top fly chaser in left field.

Center Field

Lorenzo Cain - covers a LOT of ground.

Lorenzo Cain – covers a LOT of ground.

The Mets’ Juan Lagares captured the NL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award.  The speedy, far-ranging Lagares notched an MLB CF-leading 28 Defensive Runs Saved – 13 more than his closest competitor (13 DRS each for the Diamondbacks’ Ender Inciarte and Rangers’ Leonys Martin). Lagares also was the MLB CF  leader in dWAR (3.4).  It was the first Gold Glove and second Wilson DPOY Award for Lagares, in just his second MLB season. The Royals’ Lorenzo Cain captured the Wilson DPOY Award (his third) and might have picked up the Fielding Bible honors if he hadn’t split time between LF and CF. Cain had 14 DRS in CF and 10 more DRS in right field.  (As the chart shows, Cain did win a Fielding Bible Award for multi-position player.) The Orioles’ Adam Jones won the AL Gold Glove, but lagged in DRS (2.0) and dWAR (0.8). Despite those metrics, Jones is known for sure hands and a strong arm. Note: Jones selection has been criticized by some analysts, but he did finish among the AL’s top-five center fielders in putouts, assists and double plays – and his reputation and past record may have boosted his support.  Jones led all AL CFs in putouts and assists in 2010, 2012, 2013.  The 2014 Gold Glove was Jones’ third-consecutive and fourth overall.   BBRT note: Keep an eye on Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. in the future.  In 2014, he led MLB centerfielder in assists with 13 – in just 113 games – and made just one error in 307 chances.

BBRT Choice: Lorenzo Cain – I know he split time between center and right, but given the choice, he’s the player I’d put in the center of my outfield garden.

Right Field

Jason Heyward - number-one in Defensive Runs Saved.

Jason Heyward – number-one in Defensive Runs Saved.

The Braves’ Jason Heyward led all of MLB defenders (any position) with 32 Defensive Runs Saved and captured the NL Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Award and Wilson DPOT Award. It was Heyward’s second Gold Glove and second Fielding Bible Award. Heyward also finished first in dWAR (2.8). He led all RFs in total chances (375) – while making just one error. The Orioles’ Nick Markakis earned his second AL Gold Glove. Like Adam Jones, Markakis’ advanced metrics aren’t flashy – just one Defensive Run Saved and a dWAR of -0.5.  However, Markakis led all right fielders with 11 assists, finished fifth in total chances (206) – and did not make a single error.  Markakis, in fact, is on a 328-game errorless streak – going back to August 10, 2012.

BBRT’s Choice:  Jason Heyward.

Braves’ right fielder Jason Heyward was selected as the Wilson (overall) Defensive Player of the Year.

Pitcher

Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel

The Astros’ Dallas Keuchel took the AL Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award, leading all pitchers with ten Defensive Runs Saved (the only pitcher in double digits). Keuchel led all MLB hurlers in total chances (66) and assists (47).  Zach Grienke of the Dodgers took the NL Gold Glove, notching five DRS and the Reds’ Johnny Cueto won the Wilson DPOY at the pitcher spot (six DRS).

BBRT Choice: Dallas Keuchel

 

Coming Soon – A look at the Silver Slugger Awards – and players that have won a Sliver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season..

 

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