Fielding Bible names six first-time winners
Yadi, Pedroia, Gordon three players to add to existing hardware with honor
A 12-person panel handed out the 2013 Fielding Bible Awards on Monday to three repeat winners and six first-timers.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina received his sixth Fielding Bible Award, while Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Royals left fielder Alex Gordon each won a second award.
The six first-time winners were D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez, D-backs right fielder Gerardo Parra and Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey.
The awards are voted upon by a select group of 12 baseball analysts, including Peter Gammons, Bill James and MLB Network's Brian Kenny. Unlike the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, which name a winner in the American and National Leagues, only one player -- "the best -- bar none," as Fielding Bible co-author John Dewan said in a press release -- is chosen at each position.
According to Dewan, Simmons led all Major Leaguers by saving 41 runs, a single-season record since Baseball Info Solutions began tracking Defensive Runs Saved in 2003. Parra's performance essentially matched Simmons', as the outfielder recorded 36 Defensive Runs Saved in right field along with four in center and one in left.
"They were, without a doubt, the best fielders last year at their position, regardless of league," Dewan said.
The Fielding Bible also pointed to the defensive excellence of Gomez, who saved 38 runs, and Machado, who saved 35 runs. Dewan also offered praise for Molina, who continued his unparalleled work behind the plate with 12 Defensive Runs Saved while throwing out 20 would-be basestealers and guiding St. Louis' young pitching staff.
"Does anyone really doubt that Yadier has been the best-fielding catcher in either league for the last decade?" Dewan said.
Each of the Fielding Bible Award winners -- five in the NL and four in the AL -- will have a chance to add to his collection of defensive hardware on Tuesday night, when the Gold Glove Award winners will be unveiled during a one-hour, ESPN2 "Baseball Tonight" special at 7 p.m. CT. All nine players were named Gold Glove finalists at their respective positions on Friday.