Each year, Major League Baseball (MLB) recognizes the best defensive players in the game by awarding them the prestigious “Gold Glove” award. The award is given to the fielder who demonstrates the most defensive excellence throughout the season. Since its inception in 1957, a total of 56 players have been enshrined with the honor of winning four or more Gold Gloves in their career. In this article, we’ll take a look at the players who have won four or more Gold Gloves and examine their careers in greater detail.
History of the Gold Glove Award
The Gold Glove Award was first introduced in 1957 by Rawlings, the official baseball glove manufacturer of MLB. The award was created to recognize the best defensive players in the game and has been given out annually ever since. The award is voted on by managers and coaches from each team and the winners are announced at the end of the regular season.
Winning four Gold Gloves is a remarkable feat and only a select few have been able to achieve it in the history of the award. Let’s take a look at the players who have accomplished this remarkable feat.
Derek Jeter – 9 Gold Gloves
Arguably, the most accomplished Gold Glove winner of all-time is Derek Jeter. The New York Yankees legend won a record nine Gold Gloves during his illustrious career, all of which came in consecutive seasons. Jeter played shortstop for the Yankees from 1995 to 2014 and was widely considered one of the best defensive players in the game. He made a total of 6,677 putouts and 1,723 assists throughout his career and helped the Yankees win five World Series titles.
Ichiro Suzuki – 10 Gold Gloves
Ichiro Suzuki is another legendary player who won a record 10 Gold Gloves during his illustrious career. The Japanese outfielder began his career with the Orix Blue Wave in 1992 and made the jump to MLB in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners. He was renowned for his speed, quickness, and defensive ability, which earned him 10 Gold Glove Awards in a span of 13 seasons.
Adrian Beltre – 5 Gold Gloves
Adrian Beltre is another great defensive player who won five Gold Glove Awards during his career. The Dominican Republic native began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998 and has since played for several teams including the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox. He is one of the most decorated players in MLB history, having won four Silver Slugger Awards and four Gold Glove Awards.
Albert Pujols – 5 Gold Gloves
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history and also won five Gold Glove Awards during his career. The Dominican Republic native began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001 and has since gone on to play for the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a nine-time All-Star, three-time National League MVP, and five-time Gold Glove Award winner.
Ivan Rodriguez – 13 Gold Gloves
Ivan Rodriguez is the all-time leader in Gold Glove Awards, having won 13 in his illustrious career. The Puerto Rican catcher began his career with the Texas Rangers in 1991 and went on to play for several teams including the Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, and New York Yankees. He was renowned for his defensive ability and was an All-Star 14 times during his career.
Conclusion
The Gold Glove Award is one of the most prestigious awards in MLB and is given out annually to the best defensive players in the game. In this article, we’ve looked at the players who have won four or more Gold Glove Awards. The list includes legends such as Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols, and Ivan Rodriguez. These players are some of the greatest to ever play the game and their defensive prowess is undeniable.