Baseball is a sport that is full of traditions and awards, and the Platinum Glove is one of the most prestigious of these awards. The Platinum Glove is an annual award given to the best defensive player in each of the two leagues in Major League Baseball (MLB). The award was introduced in 2011 as a way to honor the best defensive players in the game and was created by Rawlings Sporting Goods, the official glove supplier of Major League Baseball.
History of the Platinum Glove
The Platinum Glove was first introduced in 2011 as a way to recognize the best defensive players in Major League Baseball. The award is the highest honor a defensive player can receive and is given to the player who has exhibited the highest level of defensive excellence throughout the season.
The award was created in partnership with Rawlings Sporting Goods, the official glove supplier of Major League Baseball. Each year, Rawlings Sporting Goods creates two special editions of the Platinum Glove, one for the American League and one for the National League. The winner of the award is presented with one of these special edition gloves.
How the Platinum Glove is Awarded
The Platinum Glove is awarded annually to the best defensive player in each league. To determine the winners, a panel of experts from Rawlings Sporting Goods, Major League Baseball, and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) select the top three finalists for the award in both leagues.
These finalists are then voted on by fans and players alike. Fans can vote for their favorite player on the Rawlings website, while players can cast their vote via the MLB Players Choice Awards. The player with the most votes in each league is then awarded the Platinum Glove.
Benefits of Winning the Platinum Glove
Winning the Platinum Glove is a prestigious honor and comes with a number of benefits. The award is presented at the annual Rawlings Gold Glove Awards ceremony, and the winner is given a special edition Platinum Glove. There is also a monetary prize associated with the award, and the winner is eligible to receive a scholarship to a college or university of their choice.
In addition, the Platinum Glove winner gains recognition from their peers and fans alike. This recognition can help to further a player’s career and can open up new opportunities, such as endorsements or other opportunities in the baseball world.
Notable Winners of the Platinum Glove
Since its inception in 2011, the Platinum Glove has been awarded to some of the best defensive players in Major League Baseball. In the American League, some of the notable winners include Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Francisco Lindor. In the National League, some of the notable winners include Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo.
Conclusion
The Platinum Glove is one of the most prestigious awards in Major League Baseball and is awarded annually to the best defensive player in each of the two leagues. The award comes with a number of benefits, including a special edition glove, a monetary prize, and recognition from fans and peers alike. The award has been given to some of the best defensive players in the game, and it is sure to continue to honor the best defensive players in baseball for many years to come.