The Rawlings Gold Glove or the Gold Glove is an annual award given out by the Major League Baseball organization each year. The award is bestowed on an individual who has displayed an extraordinary level of fielding performances for that particular year.
The history of the award dates back to 1957 with the baseball glove manufacturer Rawlings wanting to commemorate for each of the fielding positions.
Players who have won the most Gold Gloves
1. Pitcher: Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux is a 23 year season baseball veteran who won the Golden Glove award an incredible 18 times. In fact Maddux was so dominant in his role as catcher that he won the award for 13 straight years between 1990 and 2003.
Currently the active pitcher with the most Golden Glove awards is Zack Greinke .
2. Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
Nicknamed I-Rod, Rodriguez won the award a record 13 times for a catcher. Like Maddux, Rodriguez had a phenomenal record of winning the Golden Glove for ten consecutive years.
Currently the active catcher with the most Golden Glove awards is Yadier Molina who has won the award nine times.
3. First base: Keith Hernandez
With a 17 season MLB career Hernandez made his name playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Cleveland Indians. During this time he won the Golden Glove 11 times winning all them in succession.
Currently the active first baseman with the most Golden Glove awards are Paul Goldschmidt, Eric Hosmer and Anthony Rizzo who each have four apiece.
4. Second base: Roberto Alomar
Alomar had a 16 season career in the MLB during which time he won 10 Golden Gloves in 11 seasons playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.
Currently the active second baseman with the most Golden Glove awards is DJ LeMahieu with three.
5. Third base: Brooks Robinson
With 16 Golden Gloves Robinson is arguably the greatest third basemen to ever play in the MLB.
Currently the active third baseman with the most Golden Glove awards is Nolan Arenado with 10.
6. Shortstop: Ozzie Smith
In a career that stretched 19 seasons Smith won the Golden Glove award a record 13 times for a shortstop.
Currently the active shortstop with the most Golden Glove awards are Brandon Crawford and Andrelton Simmons who each have four awards.
7. Left field: Barry Bonds
While Barry Bonds is better known as the home run king, he did have a remarkable fielding career to boot winning the Golden Glove a record eight times at left field.
Currently the active left fielder with the most Golden Glove awards are Starling Marte and Tyler O’Neill who have two awards each.
8. Center field: Willie Mays
Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid” Mays won the award 12 times in a 22 season career.
Currently the active center fielder with the most Golden Glove award is Kevin Kiermaier with three.
9. Right field: Roberto Clemente
One of the MLB’s greatest ever players Clemente won the Golden Glove award for 12 consecutive seasons between1961 and 1972. That run might have continued if not for his tragic death in a plane crash.
Currently the active right fielder with the most Golden Glove award is Mookie Betts with six.