Gold Glove history
The award for defensive excellence originated in 1957 by the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company. Managers and coaches were polled at the end of the season, but they couldn’t vote for their own players. Humans judging humans.
In 2011, Rawlings first began highlighting the top three defenders at each position. Then in 2013, Rawlings added a sabermetric component to the selection process, as part of its collaboration with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). The winners were calculated based on a combination of managers/coaches and SABR.
Zack Wheeler, one of four Phillies finalists this year, won the award. Fellow pitcher Taijuan Walker, catcher J.T. Realmuto and second baseman Bryson Stott fell short. The four were the most Phils finalists since 2019: pitcher Aaron Nola, Realmuto and right fielder Bryce Harper. Realmuto was the lone winner.
Three times the Phillies have had four Gold Glove winners: 1978 (Garry Maddox, Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Bob Boone) … 1979 (Maddox, Schmidt, Boone, Manny Trillo) … 1981 (Maddox, Schmidt, Trillo, Steve Carlton).
Most Gold Gloves: Mike Schmidt (10); Garry Maddox (8); Jimmy Rollins (4); Manny Trillo, Scott Rolen, Shane Victorino (3).
Gold Glove recipients by positions:
Pitchers
LHP Bobby Shantz (1964), LHP Jim Kaat (1976-77), LHP Steve Carlton (1981), Zack Wheeler (2023)
Catchers
Bob Boone (1978-79), Mike Lieberthal (1999), J.T. Realmuto (2019, 2022)
First basemen
Bill White (1966)
Second basemen
Manny Trillo (1979, 1981-82)
Shortstops
Bobby Wine (1963), Ruben Amaro Sr. (1964), Larry Bowa (1972, 1978), Jimmy Rollins (2007-09; 2012)
Third basemen
Mike Schmidt (1976-84; 1986), Scott Rolen (1998, 2000-01), Placido Polanco (2011)
Outfielders
Garry Maddox (1975-82), Bobby Abreu (2005), Aaron Rowand (2007), Shane Victorino (2007-09)