Baseball has long been revered as America’s pastime. It’s a sport that can generate a great deal of excitement, rivalries, and of course some amazing feats of athleticism. One of the most revered awards in the sport of baseball is the Gold Glove. Established in 1957, the Gold Glove is an accolade that is given to players who have exhibited the highest level of defensive excellence in their respective positions.
Awarded annually by the Major League Baseball (MLB), the Gold Glove award has been given to some of the greatest players in the game’s history. But who has the most Gold Gloves in MLB history?
Overview of the Gold Glove Award
The Gold Glove Award is given to the best defensive player at each position in the American League and National League. The award is voted on by the coaches and managers in each league and is based on their evaluation of the player’s overall defensive ability. The award is given out at the end of the regular season, with the winners being announced on the Baseball Tonight program on ESPN.
Award Winners
Since its inception in 1957, the Gold Glove award has been given to some of the greatest players in the game’s history. Some of these players include Hall of Famers such as Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson, and Ozzie Smith. Other players to win the award include Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, and Roberto Clemente.
The Most Gold Gloves
When it comes to who has the most Gold Gloves in MLB history, one name stands out among the rest: the Baltimore Orioles’ Cal Ripken Jr. At the time of his retirement in 2001, Ripken had won a total of 19 Gold Gloves, the most of any player in MLB history.
Ripken was known for his hard work and dedication to the game, and it showed in his defensive play. His ability to make spectacular defensive plays was his calling card, and it earned him the admiration of baseball fans everywhere.
Ripken’s 19 Gold Gloves is a record that may never be broken, as no other player has yet to come close to his total. The closest active player to Ripken’s total is St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina, who has won nine Gold Gloves as of 2019.
The Future of the Gold Glove Award
While Cal Ripken Jr. still holds the record for the most Gold Gloves in MLB history, there are a few players who have the potential to eventually surpass his total. These players include the Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman, the Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger.
All three of these players have the potential to win multiple Gold Gloves in the future, and it’s likely that one of them could eventually surpass Ripken’s record. No matter who eventually takes the throne, it’s safe to say that Ripken’s 19 Gold Gloves will be a record that stands for a long time.
Conclusion
The Gold Glove award is one of the most prestigious awards in baseball and has been awarded to some of the greatest players in the game’s history. But when it comes to who has the most Gold Gloves in MLB history, one name stands out among the rest: Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken’s 19 Gold Gloves is a record that may never be broken, but there are a few players who have the potential to eventually surpass his total. No matter who eventually takes the throne, it’s safe to say that Ripken’s 19 Gold Gloves will be a record that stands for a long time.