EMERSON, Ga. - Last night’s Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were handed out with some rich Perfect Game flavor, as 11 PG alumni took home the gold for being recognized as the best defensive players at their respective positions.
Three of the 11 Gold Glove recipients are Perfect Game All-American Classic alumni, including Eric Hosmer (2007 Perfect Game All-American Classic), the Kansas City Royals first baseman, D.J. LeMahieu (2006 Perfect Game All-American Classic), a first-time Gold Glove recipient and second baseman for the Colorado Rockies, and Jason Heyward (2006 Perfect Game All-American Classic), the outstanding right fielder for the Atlanta Braves.
After a tremendous playoff run, both the Baltimore Orioles and the Royals each had three Gold Glove winners. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, an alumnus of the 2000 PG WWBA World Championship, took home the hardware for the third time, while teammate Adam Jones, an alumnus of the 2002 PG WWBA World Championship, captured the Gold Glove for the fourth time for his ability to patrol center field, and Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis won the award for the second time.
“It is a great honor to win the Gold Glove," Markakis told Doug Miller of MLB.com. “It is an individual award, but a lot of people contribute to it. [Coach] Wayne Kirby is a great influence on the outfielders and does a great job preparing us and putting us in the right position to make plays.”
A pair of PG alumni for the Royals, Hosmer and left fielder Alex Gordon, won Gold Gloves after enjoying an improbable run to the World Series. Hosmer, Most Valuable Player of the 2007 PG WWBA World Championship, took Gold Glove honors for the second straight year. Gordon, who attended the 2001 Perfect Game National Showcase, won his fourth straight Gold Glove for his tremendous left field play.
“The way the outfield made that field look so small, they really just spoiled us all year,” Hosmer told Dick Kaegel of MLB.com. “With Gordo just catching everything whether there’s a wall two inches away from him or not – he’s running full-speed.”
Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, viewed mostly as a threat with the bat in the past, proved he can save the Seattle Mariners a lot of runs with his glove at third base. An alumnus of the 2005 Perfect Game National Showcase and two PG WWBA World Championships, Seager won his first-ever Gold Glove.
Along with Rockies teammate LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado was recognized with his second straight Gold Glove for his outstanding abilities at the hot corner. Arenado attended the 2008 Perfect Game National Showcase and a pair of PG WWBA World Championships as an amateur.
“I’m not trying to sound greedy or anything, but this year’s Gold Glove kind of hit me a little harder than it did last year,” Arenado told Miller of MLB.com. “Last year, I was kind of in shock. When you’ve won one year, the goal is to keep it and the goal is to always make your plays and help your pitchers out. I took a lot of pride. Whenever I made errors this year, it hurt me more than it did last year. It means a lot, winning this award.”
Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich, just 22-years-old, captured his first Gold Glove. Yelich attended the 2009 Perfect Game National Showcase, as well as a pair of PG WWBA World Championships.
"To be able to be recognized defensively is pretty special, considering that really wasn't my reputation coming into the big leagues," Yelich told Miller of MLB.com. "It's cool feeling you're a complete player."
Zack Greinke, a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, won his first Gold Glove. Greinke is an alumnus of the 2001 PG WWBA World Championship.