Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria wins Gold Glove

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged his team in spring training, saying they had plenty of players who were capable of earning a Gold Glove, and offering a lofty goal of winning nine.

The Rays didn’t complete that feat, but they did have a Gold Glove Award winner for the second straight year, as Evan Longoria won the award as the American League’s best fielding third baseman (View photo gallery). The award, announced Tuesday, makes Longoria, 24, the youngest to win an AL Gold Glove at any position since A's third baseman Eric Chavez (age 23) in 2001.

Since the Gold Glove was first awarded in 1957, only three third basemen have won it at a younger age:  Brooks Robinson (age 23 in 1960) of the Baltimore Orioles, Scott Rolen (age 23 in 1998) of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chavez.

Longoria, who was out of the country Tuesday, released a statement through the team.

“It’s the one award that I’ve wanted to win since I started pro ball,” Longoria said. “I take a lot of pride in my
defense, so this award is very special to me. It’s humbling to have your name associated with some of the
great players who have won a Gold Glove, especially the third basemen. I would like to thank the managers and coaches who voted for me and I’d also like to thank Carlos Peña. We all know how good he is. He probably saved me at least five errors this year so without him the award might not have been possible.”

Longoria had a .970 fielding percentage, which ranked second among AL third basemen to Melvin Mora’s .971. But the two-time All-Star often made difficult plays look easy, earning admiration from managers around the league as well as former stars.

There is a Gold Glove winner at each position in each league, selected by a vote of managers and coaches in each league (however, managers can't vote for players on their own team). The only difference comes in the outfield voting, which rewards the three top fielding outfielders no matter if they play left, center or right fields.

Last year, first baseman Carlos Pena became the Rays first Gold Glove winner. There were thoughts that LF Carl Crawford had a strong chance to win his first Gold Glove after another impressive defensive season, which included All-Star MVP game honors for his leaping catch. But Ichiro Suzuki and Torii Hunter each won their ninth Gold Glove in the outfield, and Orioles CF Adam Jones picked up his first.

Here are the Rawling's American League Gold Glove Award winners:

Pitcher - Mark Buehrle, White Sox; Catcher - Joe Mauer, Twins; First Base - Mark Teixeira (Yankees); Second Base - Placido Polanco (Tigers); Third base - Evan Longoria (Rays); Shortstop - Derek Jeter (Yankees); OF - Adam Jones (Orioles), Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners), Torii Hunter (Angels)

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

 

Comments

[The Clown]

This is hilarious, Carl Crawford a GG winner HAHAH, Hey guys have you ever heard of Franklin Guieterrez? Probably not because you dont know the game very well, Carl Crawford has a good arm? Since when? He has one of the worst arms in the league, If he had all the things you are saying he wouldnt be playing LF he would be playing CF or RF.... Guiterrez was hosed...

[Dick Weed]

Clown, you're truly an imbecile but thanks for checking in with your non-factual moronic comment anyway.

[SC-Carl]

Jimbo and Tuck: Crawford may get to more hit balls than other outfielders but in your watching about 100 games, can you tell me how many runners he threw out this past season? How about the two seasons before? I have NEVER seen him throw a ball on target to the plate. They are almost always off-line. He does not have a strong nor an accurate arm and last time I checked, throwing accurately is part of baseball. I believe in stats and usually defend the story they tell but they do not tell the entire story.

[Tuck]

It's kind of funny; when Longoria was in the Minors, all I heard about was his hitting. It's obvious that he has worked extremely hard at his craft; his fielding is top notch.

Clown - the only person you're fooling is yourself. CC has been deserving of a Gold Glove for several years now. And yes, I watched about 100 games this year. CC catches balls that other outfielders wouldn't get close to.

[Kyle]

Way to go Mr. Longoria. I also think Mr. Crawford was deserving. I respect Jeter as a player and a person but I'll take Jason Bartlett for defense.

[Jimbo]

@The Clown (how apropos of a name, BTW), All I got as backup is stats:
CC: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crawfca02.shtml#standard_fielding
Jones: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesad01.shtml#standard_fielding

Adam Jones had more errors, more assists, and a lower fielding% in less games. In a subjective sense, I'd rather have CC's arm and ups over Adam Jones any day, see: All-Star Game.

[RJ]

Crawford was snubbed again. It's ridiculous that CC didn't win it this year.

[George]

Evan is very deserving. He's a grand player. Very moving-- his tribute to Carlos.

[LF47]

Way to go Longo!!! Way to go Rays!!!

A great bunch of young Players who are a joy to watch...

[The Clown]

CC shouldve won a gold glove? .... Wow watch baseball much? Get a clue Jimbo, Carl Crawford is nowhere near the calibur of these 3 outfielders... please next time dont post save yourself the humiliation

[Go Rays!]

Congrats Evan...you deserve it. But you have got to be kidding me that CC didn't win. Jeter is the best defensive shortstop in the AL? Sounds political to me. Hunter wins again? come on. Who would you want on your team in the outfield? Jones or Crawford? completely robbed.

[Jimbo]

I'm actually surprised about this; I thought for sure CC would win this year, especially after all the spectacular plays he made all season long. Sad he didn't win, too, but...

GO LONGO!!! You're a superstar!!!

[Paul]

A well earned reward.

I am surprised that he didn't get it last season also.

[jim]

"There ARE a Gold Glove winner at each position..."??

Congrats to Evan, anyway.