2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards announced
By Aaron Somers
Winners of the 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were revealed on Tuesday night, officially kicking off awards season for Major League Baseball. The honor has long been associated with some of the best defensive players at their respective positions throughout baseball history, but it has taken on a more analytical approach after changes to the voting process were made for the 2013 season.
The Gold Glove Awards were once voted on by MLB managers and coaches. Upon the announcement of the winners, debate over where the choices went wrong was an annual occurrence. It brought attention to the award, but with the further advancement of defensive metrics it also started to dig into the award’s prestige as voters were often accused of favoring bigger market teams – despite the numbers suggesting there were other more deserving choices.
Beginning in 2013, Rawlings collaborates with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) to use these defensive metrics in determining the winners.
National League:
- 1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
- 2B: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
- SS: Andrelton Simmons, Braves
- 3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
- LF: Christian Yelich, Marlins
- CF: Juan Lagares, Mets
- RF: Jason Heyward, Braves
- P: Zack Greinke, Dodgers
- C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
American League:
- 1B: Eric Hosmer, Royals
- 2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
- SS: J.J. Hardy, Orioles
- 3B: Kyle Seager, Mariners
- LF: Alex Gordon, Royals
- CF: Adam Jones, Orioles
- RF: Nick Markakis, Orioles
- P: Dallas Keuchel, Astros
- C: Salvador Perez, Royals
The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles battled it out in the ALCS and each team was well represented in the award recipients, with three winners apiece. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves also had multiple recipients.