Every year, the best defensive players in Major League Baseball are recognized with a Gold Glove Award. This prestigious award is given to the players who show the most defensive prowess over the course of the regular season. But how many players receive a Gold Glove each year?
The Basics of the Gold Glove Award
The Gold Glove Award is an annual honor given to the best defensive players in each of the nine defensive positions in Major League Baseball. The award is presented by Rawlings, the official glove manufacturer of Major League Baseball. The award has been given since 1957 and is considered to be one of the most prestigious honors a player can receive in the game.
To be eligible for the Gold Glove Award, a player must have played at least 100 games at the position he is nominated for. Players are also not eligible for the award if they have not been in the league for at least one year prior to the year they are nominated.
The Selection Process
The selection process for the Gold Glove Award is quite different from other awards in baseball. Instead of using statistics to determine the winner, the award is determined by a combination of voting from managers and coaches in the league, as well as a sabermetric system created by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).
The managers and coaches are given ballots to vote on the top three players at each position in both the American League and National League. The SABR system is used to supplement the voting. This system takes into account defensive metrics such as range, arm strength, fielding percentage, and putouts.
How Many Players Receive a Gold Glove?
In total, 18 players receive Gold Glove Awards each year. Nine players from the American League and nine players from the National League are selected for the honor. This number has remained the same since the award was first given out in 1957.
The players who receive the award are regarded as the best defensive players in their respective positions. As such, it is a highly sought after honor and players who receive the award are held in high regard.
Conclusion
The Gold Glove Award is one of the most prestigious honors a player can receive in Major League Baseball. Each year, 18 of the best defensive players in the league are selected to receive the award, with nine players from the American League and nine players from the National League being chosen. The selection process for the award is quite unique, as it combines voting from managers and coaches with a sabermetric system.