Nate McLouth Wins a Gold Glove? That Nate McLouth?

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year… MLB award presentations.  Stat geeks everywhere rejoice.  Well, this one’s for you guys.  You can’t quite capture how valuable a guy is or who the best manager is on paper.  But, you can determine how good of a defender someone is.  Which makes the annual Gold Glove awards even stranger.  They’re about as meaningful as Pro Bowl appearances, frankly.  This year is no exception as Nate McLouth managed to receive a Gold Glove, apparently because he threw Dioner Navarro out in the All-Star game.  Inspired by McLouth, here is our list of the worst recent Gold Glove winners.

C- Jason Varitek, 2005

Yes, I know Jason Varitek is “known” for his defense.  He’s a good leader and, from most all accounts, he calls a great game.  Unfortunately, he can’t seem to catch a knuckleball and he probably couldn’t throw me out attempting to steal second base.  In 2005, he threw out just 24% of runners, allowing the 9th most stolen bases of all catchers.  Meanwhile, Pudge had more runners thrown out than stolen bases.  This Gold Glove might be even more of a sham than his All-Star appearance this year.

1B- Rafael Palmeiro, 1999

He played in 28 games.  Enough said.

2B- Chuck Knoblauch, 1997

Regardless of how good he was in 1997, Chuck Knoblauch should have had this award revoked as a result of his defensive performance with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000.  Even Rick Ankiel is embarrassed at Knoblauch’s erratic throws.

SS- Derek Jeter, 2004-2006

Okay, let’s get it out of the way.  Derek Jeter is one of the great captains in the history of sports.  He is tremendously clutch in October.  But a Gold Glove defender?  He’d be lucky to be called above average.  Derek Jeter won the 2006 Gold Glove with the worst Range Factor among all American League shortstops.  He won all of these Gold Gloves over the likes of Omar Vizquel, Orlando Cabrera, and Michael Young.

3B- Adrian Beltre, 2007

Third basemen might have the distinction of having the best selections historically.  Adrian Beltre is the one glaring exception.  It was clearly time to give the AL Gold Glove to someone not named Eric Chavez.  Unfortunately, they gave it to a guy who was DEAD LAST among AL third basemen playing a significant amount of games.  Adrian Beltre was 9th in the AL among 9 “every day” third basemen, including Brandon Inge.

OF- Nate McLouth, 2008

I leave you with the words of Rob Neyer, who sums it up best.  “According to John Dewan’s Fielding Bible data, McLouth was 40 plays worse than average, dead last among major league outfielders. According to Baseball Prospectus, McLouth was 17 runs — runs, not plays — worse than an average center fielder. According to Bill James’ win shares, McLouth’s outfield defense was 46th-most-valuable in the majors. This is exactly the sort of award that only damages the reputation of the honor.”

OF- Vernon Wells, 2006

Player A has a .997 fielding percentage with a Range Factor of 2.66.  Player B has a .988 fielding percentage with a Range Factor of 2.34.  Player B is Vernon Wells.  Player A is Curtis Granderson.  And Vernon Wells won a Gold Glove how exactly?

OF- Larry Walker, 2002

Outfield Gold Gloves traditionally go to center fielders, and with good reason.  They cover the most ground and have the strongest arms.  So, when you see a non-center fielder win a Gold Glove, it is because they are exceptionally better than their peers.  Larry Walker was not significantly better than anyone in 2002.  He had the 4th best fielding percentage and the 5th best Range Factor among all NL right fielders.  Not exactly mind-blowing.

P- Greg Maddux, 1990-2008

Don’t get me wrong.  Greg Maddux is an excellent fielding pitcher.  But has he really been the absolute best fielding pitcher in the National League for each of the last 19 years?  The willingness to give the award to the same guy for 19 consecutive years compromises the integrity of the award greatly.  Johan Santana is just hoping Maddux retires soon.

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