The Platinum Glove Award is a Major League Baseball award sponsored by Rawlings Sporting Goods. The award is given annually to the best fielder in each league, as voted on by fans. The award was first introduced in 2011, and is the highest honor for defensive players in the sport.
How the Platinum Glove Award is Determined
The Platinum Glove Award is determined by a combination of fan voting and statistical analysis. Fans can cast their votes online at the Rawlings website, and the fan vote counts for 50% of the total score. The other 50% is determined by a statistical analysis, which factors in the fielding percentage, range factor, total chances, and other metrics of defensive performance.
History of the Platinum Glove Award
The Platinum Glove Award was first introduced in 2011, and is sponsored by Rawlings Sporting Goods. Rawlings has been the official glove of Major League Baseball since 1977, and the Platinum Glove Award was created as a way to honor the best defensive players in the sport.
Notable Winners
Since the award was first introduced in 2011, several notable players have won the Platinum Glove Award. In the National League, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been the most successful winner, having won the award six times in seven years. In the American League, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has been the most successful winner, having won the award three times. Other notable winners include Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler.
Benefits of Winning the Platinum Glove Award
Winning the Platinum Glove Award is a great honor for any defensive player. Along with the prestige of winning the award, winners also receive a trophy and a $100,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The award is also a great recognition for the player’s defensive prowess and helps raise their profile in the game.
Criticism of the Platinum Glove Award
Despite the honor that comes with winning the award, the Platinum Glove Award has been the subject of some criticism. Some believe that the award is more focused on the players’ offensive performance, as the fan vote counts for 50% of the total score. Others believe that the Platinum Glove Award is too focused on the players with the most name recognition, which can lead to lesser-known players being overlooked.
Alternatives to the Platinum Glove Award
In addition to the Platinum Glove Award, several other awards are given to recognize defensive players in Major League Baseball. The Rawlings Gold Glove Award is given annually to the best fielder at each position in each league, and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award is given to the best overall defensive player in each league. The Fielding Bible Awards are also given to the best fielder in each position in both leagues, and the SABR Defensive Index is used to determine the best overall defensive player in the league.
The Impact of the Platinum Glove Award
Since the award was first introduced in 2011, the Platinum Glove Award has become one of the most prestigious awards in Major League Baseball. It has helped recognize the best defensive players in the sport, and has helped raise the profile of defense in the game. The award has also helped encourage young players to focus more on their defense, as the award has become a great honor for any defensive player.
Conclusion
The Platinum Glove Award is a great honor for any defensive player in Major League Baseball. It is determined by both fan voting and statistical analysis, and has been won by some of the best players in the game. The award has helped recognize the best defensive players in the sport, and has helped raise the profile of defense in the game.