National League Gold Gloves Snub Three Deserving Candidates

Yesterday, the American League handed out its Gold Glove awards. Today, the National League handed out its Gold Gloves.

Let’s take a look at who won in the National League:

C. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals—.995 fielding percentage, 40 percent caught stealing percentage

1B. Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres—.995 fielding percentage, 3.8 UZR

2B. Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles Dodgers—.988 fielding percentage, -3.3 UZR

SS. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies—.990 fielding percentage, 2.7 UZR

3B. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals—.963 fielding percentage, 18.1 UZR

OF. Michael Bourn, Houston Astros—.992 fielding percentage, 8.6 UZR

OF. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers—.995 fielding percentage, 2.5 UZR

OF. Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies—.997 fielding percentage, -4.1 UZR

P. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals—1.000 fielding percentage

Apparently, there are no good defensive left fielders in the game of baseball these days. The American League didn’t have a Gold Glove left fielder, and now the National League doesn’t have a Gold Glove left fielder.

It’s really just silly.

How can you reward three center fielders and not reward a right fielder for defensive excellence? Jayson Werth is the best defensive right fielder in the National League, and he should have been rewarded for it.

I disagree with three of the choices the voters made.

How does Victorino win the Gold Glove? Like I said earlier, Werth would have been a better choice as a right fielder, or, if you must have three center fielders win the award, Mike Cameron would have been a better choice.

I am not fond of the Hudson selection. I would have gone with Chase Utley—and that has nothing to do with Utley being a superior offensive player.

Utley is a very good fielder, but he is so good offensively that it overshadows his defense.

The last change I would have made would be with Rollins. Troy Tulowitzki would have gotten my vote. He is the best defensive shortstop in the National League and should have been rewarded for it.

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