Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and one of the most prestigious awards a player can receive is a Gold Glove. Gold Gloves are awarded annually to the best defensive players in the major leagues, and since 1957, only a handful of players have been fortunate enough to win four of these coveted awards. Here, we’ll take a look at who has four Gold Gloves and what they’ve done to earn them.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the most iconic players in baseball history and it’s no surprise that he has four Gold Gloves. He won the award in 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1997, all while playing for the Seattle Mariners. Griffey was known for his athleticism and defensive prowess, as he made spectacular catches and had a cannon for an arm. He also was excellent at tracking down fly balls and had an uncanny ability to get to balls that others couldn’t. His four Gold Gloves are a testament to his greatness in the field.
Ivan Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez is another player who has four Gold Gloves, and his awards came in the same four consecutive years (1992-1995). Rodriguez was a catcher for the Texas Rangers, and he was known for his defense behind the plate. He had incredible reflexes and a powerful arm, and he was excellent at blocking balls in the dirt. He also had a knack for calling games and framing pitches, which made him even more valuable to the Rangers. Rodriguez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Roberto Alomar
Roberto Alomar is another player who has four Gold Gloves, and his awards came in consecutive years (1992-1995). Alomar was an infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, and he excelled at all aspects of the game. He had an incredibly accurate arm and was great at turning double plays. He also had excellent footwork and was great at reading the ball off the bat. Alomar was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith is yet another player who has four Gold Gloves, and his awards came in consecutive years (1980-1983). Smith was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he was known for his defensive wizardry. He had lightning-quick hands and a powerful arm, and he was great at snaring ground balls and turning double plays. He also had outstanding range and was great at tracking down pop-ups. Smith was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols is the last player who has four Gold Gloves, and his awards came in consecutive years (2006-2009). Pujols was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels, and he was known for his defensive prowess. He had excellent reflexes and a powerful arm, and he was great at tracking down fly balls and turning double plays. He also had great footwork and was great at reading the ball off the bat.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are only a handful of players who have been fortunate enough to win four Gold Gloves in their careers. Ken Griffey Jr., Ivan Rodriguez, Roberto Alomar, Ozzie Smith, and Albert Pujols are all members of this exclusive club, and their awards are a testament to their defensive greatness.