KANSAS CITY -- The defending World Series champion Royals slipped in the standings this season, finishing at 81-81, but their defensive prowess held steady, as evidenced by three of their players being named finalists for American League Gold Glove Awards.
First baseman Eric Hosmer, catcher Salvador Perez and left fielder Alex Gordon all were named finalists Thursday by Rawlings. Hosmer and Perez each have won the Gold Glove Award for three consecutive seasons.
• Vote for Best Defensive Player in MLB Esurance Awards by Nov. 11
Gordon was nominated for the sixth straight season. After winning four straight Gold Glove Awards starting in 2011, Gordon did not win last season.
Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar won the Gold Glove Award in 2015, but he was not a finalist this time around.
Defense has been a priority since general manager Dayton Moore came to the Royals in 2006.
"In our ballpark, defense can win or lose games," Moore said late in the season. "We have to be able to defend."
Added Hosmer, "The strength of our team is pitching and defense. It's always been that way under Dayton. We take pride in it."
Major League managers and coaches, voting only within their league and unable to vote for players on their own teams, account for 75 percent of the selection process. The other 25 percent goes to the sabermetrics community.
The winners will be revealed Nov. 8 at 8p.m. ET on ESPN.