Baseball Toaster Mike's Baseball Rants
Help
This is my site with my opinions, but I hope that, like Irish Spring, you like it, too.
Frozen Toast
Search
Google Search
Web
Toaster
Mike's Baseball Rants
Archives

2009
01 

2008
10  09  07 
06  05  04  03 

2007
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2006
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2005
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2004
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2003
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2002
12  11  10  09  08  07 
Links to MBBR
Grudzy Gold
2006-11-02 22:43
by Mike Carminati

Mark Grudzielanek earned his first Gold Glove today after twelve seasons in the majors. I think they just took pity on him for playing for the Royals.

At 36, Grudzielanek becomes the oldest second baseman—by four years yet—to claim his first Gold Glove. He's also among the oldest first timers ever:

PlayerYrLgAgePOS
Phil Niekro1978NL39P
Mark Grudzielanek 2006AL362B
Wade Boggs1994AL363B
Rick Reuschel1985NL36P
Steve Carlton1981NL36P
Kenny Rogers2000AL35P
Elston Howard1963AL34C
Minnie Minoso1957MLB34LF
Jason Varitek2005AL33C
Davey Lopes1978NL332B
Gil Hodges1957MLB331B
Fernando Vina2001NL322B
Harvey Haddix1958NL32P
Graig Nettles1977AL323B
George Brett1985AL323B
Ken Caminiti1995NL323B
Rafael Palmeiro1997AL321B
Mike Boddicker1990AL32P
Sherm Lollar1957MLB32C
Jackie Jensen1959AL32RF
Dusty Baker1981NL32OF
Brad Ausmus2001NL32C
Clete Boyer1969NL323B
Scott Brosius1999AL323B

At the other end of the spectrum, Pudge Rodriguez won his twelfth Gold Glove, adding to record-setting total for catchers. Twelve Gold Gloves puts him in pretty elite company. The only position players with more are Ozzie Smith and Brooks Robinson (though Schmidt was better). Here are the most all time:

PlayerPOSYrs
Brooks Robinson3B16
Jim KaatP16
Greg MadduxP15
Ozzie SmithSS13
Ivan RodriguezC12
Roberto ClementeOF12
Willie MaysOF12
Keith Hernandez1B11
Roberto Alomar2B10
Mike Schmidt3B10
Johnny BenchC10
Omar VizquelSS10
Al KalineOF10
Ken GriffeyOF10

Finally, here are the top five per position in Auric Mitts. Eric Chavez just made that club even with his horrific fielding in the postseason. Maybe they confused him for Endy (And I know the postseason doesn't count in the awards voting):

PlayerPOSYrs
Keith Hernandez1B11
Don Mattingly1B9
George Scott1B8
Vic Power1B7
Bill White1B7
Roberto Alomar2B10
Ryne Sandberg2B9
Frank White2B8
Bill Mazeroski2B8
Bobby Richardson2B5
Joe Morgan2B5
Brooks Robinson3B16
Mike Schmidt3B10
Buddy Bell3B6
Scott Rolen3B6
Robin Ventura3B6
Eric Chavez3B6
Ivan RodriguezC12
Johnny BenchC10
Bob BooneC7
Jim SundbergC6
Bill FreehanC5
Jim KaatP16
Greg MadduxP15
Bob GibsonP9
Bobby ShantzP8
Mark LangstonP7
Mike MussinaP6
Ozzie SmithSS13
Omar VizquelSS10
Luis AparicioSS9
Mark BelangerSS8
Dave ConcepcionSS5
Roberto ClementeOF12
Willie MaysOF12
Al KalineOF10
Ken GriffeyOF10
Andre DawsonOF8
Andruw JonesOF8
Barry BondsOF8
Dwight EvansOF8
Garry MaddoxOF8
Jim EdmondsOF8
Paul BlairOF8
Comments
2006-11-02 22:47:59
1.   das411
Wade Boggs won a Gold Glove? At 36???
2006-11-03 05:29:03
2.   dianagramr
Auric Mitts .... will Argentic Sticks be next?
2006-11-04 11:04:07
3.   Mike Carminati
Boggs actually turned himself into a pretty good defensive third baseman as he got older. That's what great players do, continue to improve what they can. He won the next year as well.

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.