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Awards = HOF? Part Twenty-Four: Gold Glove First Base

Awards = HOF?  Part Twenty-Four:  Gold Glove First Base
07 Mar
2017
Not in Hall of Fame
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least amount of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

We are now taking a look at the Gold Glove Award, given annually to the best defensive player in MLB in each respective position.

This will take awhile, so be patient with us!

We have just tackled the Catcher position, so up next is First Base, which we suspect will be more controversial.



The following are the past players who have won the Gold Glove at First Base who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.



Eddie Murray, AL Baltimore Orioles (1982)

-0.5 dWAR.  By this time, Eddie Murray had already established himself as one of the game’s premier hitters and he would later become one of the few players to accumulate 3,000 Hits and 500 Home Runs.  However, this was not his best defensive year though he did lead in Fielding Percentage.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Eddie Murray, AL Baltimore Orioles (2) (1983)

0.0 dWAR.  Murray would finish 4th in Total Zone Runs by American League First Basemen but far more importantly the Orioles won a World Series.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Eddie Murray, AL Baltimore Orioles (3) (1984)

0.1 dWAR.  This season Murray would lead in Putouts, Assists, Double Plays Turned and Range Factor per Game.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.



The following are the players who have won the Gold Glove at First Base who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:



Gil Hodges, ML Brooklyn Dodgers (1957)

-0.4 dWAR.  Hmmm.  With all due respect to Hodges, this is not off to a great start as Hodges was an average defender at best.  This was his last All Star Game appearance and he did lead the NL First Baseman in Putouts, but realistically, Hodges was known far more for his bat.  Was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 63.4% in 1983, his final year of eligibility.   Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Vic Power, AL Kansas City Athletics/Cleveland Indians (1958)

0.2 dWAR.  Power realistically had an average season with his glove, but was coming off a season where he led the AL in Triples and finished 15th in MVP voting.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Gil Hodges, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2) (1958)

-0.7 dWAR.  Again, this is not a season where Hodges should have won this accolade.  He did bit lead in any defensive matric.  Was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 63.4% in 1983, his final year of eligibility.   Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Vic Power, AL Cleveland Indians (2) (1959)

0.0 dWAR.  Power would make his third All Star Team and led all American League First Basemen in Assists, Putouts, Total Zone Runs and Fielding Percentage.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Gil Hodges, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (3) (1959)

-0.6 dWAR.  Three Gold Gloves, three seasons with a negative Defensive bWAR.  Hodges would however win his second World Series Award. Hodges has the misfortune of being the player with the most accumulated votes who has not entered the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 63.4% in 1983, his final year of eligibility.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Vic Power, AL Cleveland Indians (3) (1960)

0.9 dWAR.  Power would go to his fourth and final All Star Game this year and again lead in Putouts and Assists.  He would also lead in Double Plays Turned and have his biggest total in Total Zone Runs (18), enough for third in the AL.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (1960)

-1.2 dWAR.  Bill White would have good seasons defensively with the glove but this wasn’t one of them.  He did however lead in Double Plays Turned.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Vic Power, AL Cleveland Indians (4) (1961)

-0.7 dWAR.  This was not a great year for Power defensively but he did lead in Assists.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2) (1961)

-0.3 dWAR.  This season, White would lead in Total Zone Runs and notably went to his third All Star Game.  He would be named to five in total.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Vic Power, AL Minnesota Twins (5) (1962)

0.2 dWAR.  Power would lead the American League First Basemen in Assists and Total Zone Runs.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (3) (1962)

0.0 dWAR.  For the second season in a row, White would lead the NL First Basemen in Total Zone Runs.  He would finish 13th in MVP voting.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Vic Power, AL Minnesota Twins (6) (1963)

-0.8 dWAR.  We are guessing voters just picked who they were familiar with as Power was not worthy here at all.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (4) (1963)

-0.5 dWAR.  White did not lead in any defensive category, but his offensive game was strong with a career high 200 Hits and 27 Home Runs.  He finished 7th in MVP voting.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Vic Power, AL Minnesota Twins/Los Angeles Angels (7) (1964)

-0.2 dWAR.  This was Power’s last full season in the Majors and part of it was in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies.  You would think voters could have done much better here.  Was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 0.8% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (5) (1964)

0.4 dWAR.  This was the best season overall of Bill White’s career.  He finished 3rd in MVP voting and won the World Series.  He would finish 2nd in Total Zone Runs (though doubled what he did in the two years previously where he led in that category) and was the National League First Baseman leader in Fielding Percentage   Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Joe Pepitone, AL New York Yankees (1965)

-0.4 dWAR.  Pepitone led the American League First Basemen in Range Factor per Game and Fielding Percentage.  This was his third season as an All Star. Was on the ballot for one year in 1979 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL St. Louis Cardinals (6) (1965)

0.4 dWAR.  For the fourth time in his career, Bill White would lead in Total Zone Runs.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Joe Pepitone, AL New York Yankees (2) (1966)

-0.4 dWAR.  Pepitone would again lead the AL First Baseman in Range Factor per Game and Fielding Percentage.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1979 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bill White, NL Philadelphia Phillies (7) (1966)

0.2 dWAR.  This would be the final time that Bill White would win the Gold Glove and the last that he would lead in Total Zone Runs.  He would also lead in Assists and Fielding Percentage.  While White’s overall Defensive bWAR was -3.2 there were certainly Gold Gloves that he did earn.  Was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 1.9% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Boston Red Sox (1967)

-0.5 dWAR.  While Scott had a negative dWAR, he did lead the AL First Basemen in Putouts and Double Plays Turned.  He also led them in Errors.   Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (1967)

-1.0 dWAR.  Parker would lead in Fielding Percentage but he did nothing remarkable this season and wasn’t even in the top ten Defensive Games Played at First.  Why did he win this?  Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Boston Red Sox (2) (1968)

-0.4 dWAR.  Wow.  This year Scott batted .176 and had a -3.0 Offensive WAR.  Defensively he was in the negative too. He did not lead in any defensive category and this year should not have won any award.  He was lucky to even be on the team!  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2) (1968)

-0.4 dWAR.  This was almost a carbon copy of the previous year as Parker would lead in Fielding Percentage but again was not in the top ten in Games Played Defensively at First Base.  Again, we ask who votes for this?  Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Joe Pepitone, AL New York Yankees (3) (1969)

-0.5 dWAR.  This was the third year that Joe Pepitone would win the Gold Glove with a negative bWAR.  He would however lead in Putouts, Assists, Range Factor per Game and Fielding Percentage.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1979 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (3) (1969)

-0.6 dWAR.  Should we just give up on this?  This is a guy who did not make mistakes but did nothing to enhance the position and rob runs.  Again, he was not even in the top ten in Defensive Games Played at First Base and this year he didn’t even lead in Fielding Percentage.   Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Jim Spencer, AL California Angels (1970)

-0.7 dWAR.  Here is another curious choice for the Gold Glove.  With a negative Defensive bWAR, Spencer still led in Putouts, Double Plays Turned and Fielding Percentage.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1988 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (4) (1970)

0.0 dWAR.  This was as good as it got defensively for Parker.  This year, he actually finished 1st in Defensive Games Played, and not surprisingly this led to leading in Putouts.  He would also again lead in Fielding Percentage and this year led in Range Factor per Game and finished second in Total Zone Runs.  OK, Wes, we will give you this one.  Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Boston Red Sox (3) (1971)

0.6 dWAR.  Scott would lead the First Basemen in the American League in Total Zone Runs.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (5) (1971)

-0.3 dWAR.  Parker again finished at the top in Fielding Percentage and was second in Games Played Defensively and Total Zone Runs.   Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Milwaukee Brewers (4) (1972)

0.2 dWAR.  Scott would again lead in Total Zone Runs, albeit with a much lower total than the year previous.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Wes Parker, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (6) (1972)

-0.5 dWAR.  This would be Wes Parker’s final season in the MLB and he would again lead in Fielding Percentage, but nothing else.  Parker was not a star hitter either, so this was realistically an average player who was fortunate to get six Gold Gloves.  To his defense, it should be noted that he committed very few errors, but again, this is someone who did his job, never more.  Did not play the minimum number of years to be Hall of Fame eligible.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Milwaukee Brewers (5) (1973)

0.8 dWAR.  This would be the third straight year that George Scott would lead in Total Zone Runs.  This season he would also lead in Assists.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Mike Jorgenson, NL Montreal Expos (1973)

-0.5 dWAR.  This was the only individual award that Mike Jorgenson would win in MLB and while he may not have been the best choice, this was not a banner year for First Basemen in the National League.  Jorgenson would lead in Range Factor and Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1991 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Milwaukee Brewers (6) (1974)

0.8 dWAR.  This would be the fourth and final time that Scott would have the most Total Zone Runs.  He would also lead in Assists, Putouts, Double Plays Turned, Range Factor per Game and Fielding Percentage.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Steve Garvey, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (1974)

-1.0 dWAR.  Steve Garvey would have his breakout year, smacking 200 Hits, Batting .312 and winning the MVP.  This did not mean he was a great defender as he wasn’t really.  He did lead the NL in Putouts and Range Factor per Game.  He was on the ballot fifteen years finishing as high as 42.2% in 1995.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Milwaukee Brewers (7) (1975)

-1.6 dWAR.  Negative -1.6!  Not only did he not have the most Total Zone Runs amongst American League First Basemen, he was not even in the top ten!  This year he did have hi best offensive season, winning the Home Run Title and he finished 8th in MVP voting.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Steve Garvey, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2) (1975)

-0.4 dWAR.  Garvey would go to his second of what would be eight straight All Star Games (10 in total) and again had a good year at the plate.  Garvey would lead the NL First Basemen in Putouts and Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot fifteen years finishing as high as 42.2% in 1995.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

George Scott, AL Milwaukee Brewers (8) (1976)

0.1 dWAR.  Scott did not win any Defensive category but did finish 2nd in Total Zone Runs.  Overall, George Scott won eight Gold Gives while having a career Defensive WAR of -1.8.  Was on the ballot for two year in 1979 receiving 0.2% of the vote in 1986.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Steve Garvey, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (3) (1976)

-0.6 dWAR.  Finishing 6th in MVP Voting.  Lather rinse repeat.  Lots of hits, good average, lousy OBP and playing in the most games at First leading to a natural lead in Putouts.  He did again lead in Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot fifteen years finishing as high as 42.2% in 1995.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Jim Spencer, AL Chicago White Sox (2) (1977)

-0.8 dWAR.  This makes no sense at all.  Spencer was not even in the top ten amongst AL First Basemen in ANY defensive metric.  Overall, Spencer had a -9.6 Defensive bWAR over his career.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1988 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Steve Garvey, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (4) (1977)

-0.4 dWAR.  Garvey again finished 6th in MVP Voting.  Garvey led in Putouts, Range Factor per Game and Fielding Percentage.  Garvey did not make many errors at First but also took no chances and did not exactly increase the overall defensive range.  That was the par for the course however to win this award.  He was on the ballot fifteen years finishing as high as 42.2% in 1995.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Chris Chambliss, AL New York Yankees (1978)

-0.2 dWAR.  A former AL Rookie of the Year (with the Cleveland Indians) Chris Chambliss won this award in his second straight year winning the World Series in Gotham.  He did not lead in any category defensively and it can be speculated that he won this award because he was a New York Yankee.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1994 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals (1978)

-0.6 dWAR.  There would be many Gold Gloves that Keith Hernandez would earn but the first one wasn’t one of them.  Hernandez did not lead in any defensive category and was not in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Cooper, AL Milwaukee Brewers (1979)

-1.1 dWAR.  Cecil Cooper emerged as an offensive star in Milwaukee, but that was not really the case with his glove.  He did not lead any American League First Basemen in any Defensive category and wasn’t really close.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1993 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2) (1979)

0.4 dWAR.  This would be the best season of Hernandez career as he would win the National League MVP, lead the NL in Batting Average and Runs Scored.  He would have a very good season defensively leading the National League First Basemen in Putouts, Assists, Double Plays Turned, Range Factor per Game and Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Cooper, AL Milwaukee Brewers (2) (1980)

-0.1 dWAR.  This was a better year with the glove and Copper would lead in Assists, Double Plays Turned and Fielding Percentage.  He would finish fifth in MVP voting.  Was on the ballot for one year in 1993 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals (3) (1980)

0.2 dWAR.  Hernandez would finish 11th in MVP voting and led in Double Plays Turned and Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Squires, AL Chicago White Sox (1981)

-0.7 dWAR.  This was the only individual award that Squires would win in his career.  We are not sure why he even won this one.  He was never on the ballot despite being eligible in 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals (4) (1981)

0.2 dWAR.  This was another good year for Keith Hernandez, both with his bat and his glove.  He would lead in Putouts, Double Plays Turned, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals (5) (1982)

0.2 dWAR.  The most important thing for Hernandez this year is that his Cardinals won the World Series.  He would again lead in Putouts, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game while once more putting up good offense.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL St. Louis Cardinals/New York Mets (6) (1983)

0.8 dWAR.  The Cardinals (ok, really Whitey Herzog) wanted him Keith Hernandez gone and the Mets were more than happy to oblige.  Hernandez would actually finish first in Errors, but his overall metrics were incredible for his defense.  Once again he led National League First Basemen in Putouts, Double Plays Turned, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  This seasons (16) would be the highest of his career and he finished 4th overall in the National League.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL New York Mets (7) (1984)

0.1 dWAR.  With a lot to prove, Keith Hernandez would finish 2nd in MVP voting.  He would lead in Assists and Total Zone Runs.  He would also win his second Silver Slugger.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (1985)

-0.9 dWAR.  This was the year that “Donnie Baseball” took over Gotham and won the American League MVP Award.  He would win the RBI Title and lead the AL First Basemen in Double Plays Turned and Fielding Percentage but this was a player who did not even finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL New York Mets (8) (1985)

0.6 dWAR.  Finishing 8th in NL MVP voting, Hernandez would again lead in Assists and Total Zone Runs amongst the National League First Basemen.  Overall in the NL he finished 4th in Total Zone Runs.  Hernandez would also lead in Fielding Percentage, the first time he would so.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (2) (1986)

-0.8 dWAR.  Mattingly would finish 2nd in MVP voting while winning the Slugging and OPS Titles.  He would lead in Putouts and Fielding Percentage but again did not finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs amongst AL First Basemen.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL New York Mets (9) (1986)

0.1 dWAR.  The most important thing this year for Keith Hernandez is that the New York Mets would win their second World Series.  He would also finish 4th in MVP voting, and led in Fielding Percentage, whole finishing second in Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (3) (1987)

0.1 dWAR.  Amazingly, this would be the only season where he would have a positive Defensive bWAR.  Mattingly would lead in Fielding Percentage this year.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL New York Mets (10) (1987)

-0.4 dWAR.  Hernandez would lead in Assists but was clearly on the decline.  This would be his last year going to the All Star Game.  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (4) (1988)

-0.6 dWAR.  Mattingly did not come close to winning any defensive metric among American League First Basemen.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com

Keith Hernandez, NL New York Mets (11) (1988)

-0.4 dWAR.  This was the last Gold Glove for Keith Hernandez and like the first one he won, he didn’t earn this one.  Still, in most of the seasons that Hernandez won the Gold Glove he was very much deserving and if you have been reading this from the beginning you know we have quite a winner in comparison to everything else we have been seeing.  Actually, has anyone even been close?  He was on the ballot nine years finishing as high as 10.8% in 1998.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (5) (1989)

-0.9 dWAR.  Was Don Mattingly given this award at the start of the season?  Again, he did not threaten to lead in any defensive category.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andres Galarraga, NL Montreal Expos (1989)

-1.1 dWAR.  Sigh.  Why did “The Big Cat” win this one?  Like many other we have discussed, Galarraga had no business winning this award and did not finish first in any defensive category, nor did he finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot one year in 2010 finishing with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark McGwire, AL Oakland Athletics (1990)

0.3 dWAR.  I know what you are thinking.  Mark McGwire is not known for his defense at all, but this year he wasn’t that bad and better than many of the other winners around him.  McGwire led the AL First Basemen in Putouts and Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot for ten years finishing as high as 23.6% in 2008.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andres Galarraga, NL Montreal Expos (2) (1990)

-0.3 dWAR.  Well, at least he did better than the year before.  Galarraga didn’t win any defensive metric again, but at least was in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot one year in 2010 finishing with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (6) (1991)

-0.3 dWAR.  This was actually a much better defensive campaign.  Mattingly finished second in Total Zone Runs and was the leader in Double Plays Turned.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Will Clark, NL San Francisco Giants (1991)

-0.8 dWAR.  This would be the only Gold Glove that Will Clark would win, and frankly he shouldn’t have won it.  While offensively, he led the NL in Slugging Percentage and finished 4th in MVP voting, defensively he did nothing special.  Again, this is a case of a player who was low in Errors, but had no range.  He did lead in Fielding Percentage and Double Plays Turned but did not finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  This is an underrated player overall, but mostly for his bat.  He was on the ballot one year in 2010 finishing with 4.1% of the vote.  Ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (7) (1992)

-0.4 dWAR.  This year, Don Mattingly would lead the First Basemen in the American League in Total Zone Runs and in Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Grace, NL Chicago Cubs (1992)

-0.1 dWAR.  Grace may have finished with a negative Defensive bWAR but he did however finish first in Putouts, Assists, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and finished with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (8) (1993)

-0.3 dWAR.  Don Mattingly’s offense was sliding, but this was an up year with his glove.  For the second time he would lead in Ranger Factor per Game and again led in Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Grace, NL Chicago Cubs (2) (1993)

0.2 dWAR.  Grace would put up better defensive numbers and would lead the National League First Basemen in Putouts, Double Plays Turned, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and finished with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL New York Yankees (9) (1994)

-0.1 dWAR.  This would be the ninth and final Gold Glove of Mattingly’s career and it was one of the better ones as he would again win the Fielding Percentage Title among the American League First Basemen and again in Range Factor per Game.  Mattingly would overall have a negative Defensive bWAR of -6.3.  Mattingly did not make many mistakes but he did not do anything exceptional at all with his glove.  This was not a player who should have won so nine Gold Gloves, and perhaps not even one.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, AL California Angels (1995)

-2.0 dWAR.  Snow may not have had a lot of errors, but he did absolutely nothing exceptional at First Base.  He did not even finish in the top ten in Range Factor per Game or Total Zone Runs.  Horrible choice!  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Jeff Bagwell, NL Houston Astros (1995)

-0.1 dWAR.  Jeff Bagwell isn’t in the Hall of Fame yet? (As of this writing).  Hopefully this changes soon.  This season, Bagwell would lead in Assists and Double Plays Turned.  It wasn’t a spectacular defensive season, but it was decent for him.  Perhaps his bat shadowed his actual ability as this year he would also win the MVP, the Silver Slugger, The RBI Title and led in bWAR for Position Players.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Ranked #5 on Norinhalloffame.com.

Mark Grace, NL Chicago Cubs (3) (1995)

-0.2 dWAR.  Mark Grace would finish 13th in MVP voting, the highest of his career and the fourth and final time he received votes.  He likely should have not have won a Gold Glove as he did not lead in any Defensive Statistic.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and finished with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, AL California Angels (2) (1996)

-0.8 dWAR.  See above.  Again, there was nothing special about Snow’s defensive skills and he again did not finish in the top ten in Range Factor per Game or Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Mark Grace, NL Chicago Cubs (4) (1996)

0.1 dWAR.  While Mark Grace did not lead in any defensive measure, he did have a double digit finish in Total Zone Runs and only committed 4 Errors.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and finished with 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rafael Palmeiro, AL Baltimore Orioles (1997)

0.1 dWAR.  Palmeiro is one of the few players to have 3,000 Hits and 500 Home Runs but he was far more known for his wagging finger in front of congress.  Palmeiro did not lead in any category but had a decent defensive season.  He was on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 12.6% of the vote in 2012.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, NL San Francisco Giants (3) (1997)

-1.4 dWAR.  Snow was in a different league, similar results.  A negative Defensive bWAR without leading in any defensive category.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Rafael Palmeiro, AL Baltimore Orioles (2) (1998)

0.7 dWAR.  Palmeiro would lead the American League First Basemen in Putouts, Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  He earned this award, unlike what would happen next season..  He was on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 12.6% of the vote in 2012.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, NL San Francisco Giants (4) (1998)

-0.6 dWAR.  This year was significantly better as he would lead in Fielding Percentage and Total Range Factor per Game.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Rafael Palmeiro, AL Texas Rangers (3) (1999)

-1.1 dWAR.  This is the worst recipient period.  Palmeiro played most of the year at Designated Hitter and actually won the Edgar Martinez Award as the DH of the year.  This win proved that most of the voters paid zero attention to the defensive side of the ball.  Needless to say, Palmeiro was not in the running to lead any defensive category.  By the way, he earned a bonus for winning this.  He was on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 12.6% of the vote in 2012.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, NL San Francisco Giants (5) (1999)

-0.7 dWAR.  Once again, J.T. Snow won a Gold Glove without winning a defensive metric.  Who voted here?  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

John Olerud, AL Seattle Mariners (2000)

0.3 dWAR.  Prior to this, Olerud had won two World Series Titles with the Toronto Blue Jays.  This year, he would lead the AL First Basemen in Assists, Total Zone Runs and Fielding Percentage.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 0.7% of the vote in 2011. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

J.T. Snow, NL San Francisco Giants (6) (2000)

-1.2 dWAR.  This is the sixth and last of J.T. Snow’s undeserving Gold Gloves.  There was no defensive metric win, nor was there a top ten finish in Total Zone Runs.  For what it is worth in 2003, he would lead in Total Zone Runs and had a 0.2 Defensive bWAR.  Of course that year he did not win a Gold Glove.  It is also worth mentioning that his career Defensive bWAR was -11.1.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2014 and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Doug Mientkiewicz, AL Minnesota Twins (2001)

-0.8 dWAR.  There is no doubt that this would be the best season of Doug Minetkiewicz’s career, offensively anyway.   Defensively he led in Fielding Percentage but did not come close to leading in any other defensive metric.  He was not on the ballot despite being eligible in 2015.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Olerud, AL Seattle Mariners (2) (2002)

-0.6 dWAR.  Sandwiched in between his 2000 and 2002 Gold Glove, Olerud went to the All Star Game.  While this was a down year for Olerud defensively in comparison to his previous (and next) Gold Glove win, he did lead in Double Plays Turned.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 0.7% of the vote in 2011. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Olerud, AL Seattle Mariners (3) (2003)

0.4 dWAR.  John Olerud would only lead in Assists but he finished in the top three in Double Plays Turned, Range Factor per Game and Total Zone Runs.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 0.7% of the vote in 2011. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Derrek Lee, NL Florida Marlins (2003)

-1.8 dWAR.  Huh?  Derrek Lee would win a World Series with the Marlins, but his glove wasn’t a big part of that.  He did not finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs, or Range Factor per Game.  His only grace here is that he did commit a lot of errors, but this was a horrible choice.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2017 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Darin Erstad, AL Anaheim Angels (2004)

0.2 dWAR.  Erstad had already won two Gold Gloves as an Outfielder, though he did not do anything of note to win this one, though after Palmeiro’s final one, we know the bar was set pretty low for First Basemen defensively.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 0.2% of the vote in 2015. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Derrek Lee, NL Chicago Cubs (2) (2005)

-0.5 dWAR.  Lee would go to the All Star Game for the first time and had a great season with the bat, leading the NL in Hits, Batting Average, OPS and finished 3rd in MVP voting.  Defensively, he led in Assists, but again was nothing special.  At least it was better than the first time he won the Gold Glove.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2017 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Derrek Lee, NL Chicago Cubs (3) (2007)

-0.9 dWAR.  An All star for the second and final time, Lee was again great with his bat with a .317 Batting Average.  The glove was again mediocre with no top ten finish in Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  Lee did not deserve any of these Gold Gloves.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2017 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com



Let’s update our tally shall we?



Award in Question

Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF

Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.

NBA MVP

100%

100%

NHL Norris

90.5%

96.4%

NBA All Star Game MVP

89.5%

91.7%

NHL Conn Smythe

74.2%

85.4%

NHL Lady Byng

63.8%

76.0%

NFL Super Bowl MVP

60.6%

64.9%

NBA Defensive Player of the Year

58.3%

56.5%

NBA Rookie of the Year

56.5%

56.5%

MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award

44.4%

55.4%

NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy

33.3%

36.7%

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

28.6%

28.6%

MLB Edgar Martinez Award

26.7%

17.2%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)

25.0%

30.8%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)

23.5%

52.6%

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

20.6%

20.6%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)

20.0%

22.5%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)

18.2%

20.1%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)

16.7%

32.7%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)

15.7%

25.2%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)

13.6%

14.3%

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)

13.6%

13.3%

MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year

13.3%

13.3%

MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)

10.3%

15.2%

MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)

3.8%

3.2%





So who is up next?



The following are the players who have won the Gold Glove at First Base who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:



Todd Helton, NL Colorado Rockies (2001)

-0.3 dWAR.  By this point, Todd Helton had already established himself as one of the game’s best hitters but he had a much better season defensively the year before this one.  He still led in Total Zone Runs amongst National League First Basemen but went from 18 to 7 from 2000 to 2001.  In this season, he also led in Fielding Percentage.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Todd Helton, NL Colorado Rockies (2) (2002)

0.2 dWAR.  This was the third season in a row where Todd Helton would lead in Total Zone Runs amongst the National League First Basemen.  He would also lead in Putouts, Assists and Double Plays Turned.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Todd Helton, NL Colorado Rockies (3) (2004)

0.3 dWAR.  In 2003, Helton had a negative Defensive bWAR of -1.8.  Thankfully, he didn’t win the Gold Glove that year!  Helton’s third and final Gold Glove would only see him lead defensively in Assists, but he did finish second in Total Zone Runs.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Mark Teixeira, AL Texas Rangers (2005)

0.4 dWAR.  This would be Mark Teixeira’s first great season in MLB and also his first All Star Game appearance.  Teixeira, who also won the Silver Slugger would lead all of the American League, would lead in Putouts and Fielding Percentage for American League First Basemen.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Mark Teixeira, AL Texas Rangers (2) (2006)

-0.1 dWAR.  Teixeira would not be as good defensively as he was the year previously, but did lead the AL First Basemen in Putouts.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Kevin Youkilis, AL Boston Red Sox (2007)

0.4 dWAR.  Kevin Youkilis, “The Greek God of Walks” would win his lone Gold Glove this year where he would also lead the AL First Basemen in Fielding Percentage.  Youkilis would later win the World Series the season after.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Carlos Pena, AL Tampa Bay Rays (2008)

0.8 dWAR.  Pena would be an All Star (for the first and only time) in the year that followed and in 2008 he would lead American League First Basemen in Fielding Percentage.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Mark Teixeira, AL New York Yankees (3) (2009)

-0.7 dWAR.  Teixeira would win the World Series this year in his firs t season in the Bronx, but this was not a Gold Glove season.  Offensively however, he was spectacular, winning the Home Run and RBI Title and he finished 2nd in MVP Voting.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Mark Teixeira, AL New York Yankees (4) (2010)

-0.3 dWAR.  Again, Teixeira was really a star with his bat, and this win is questionable.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Mark Teixeira, AL New York Yankees (5) (2012)

1.0 dWAR.  In terms of dbWAR, this was his best defensive season.  Teixeira would lead in Fielding Percentage.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Adam LaRoche, NL Washington Nationals (2012)

0.0 dWAR.  LaRoche finished 6th in MVP voting, the best of his career and while he was an even in Defensive bWAR, he did lead in Total Zone Runs.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.





The following are the players who have won the Gold Glove at First Base who are still active.

Albert Pujols, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2006)

0.8 dWAR.  Albert Pujols is a bona fide future Hall of Famer and was a three time MVP.  He was a runner-up for the award this year.  This season, he led the National League First Basemen in Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game, but the following year he had a 2.2 Defensive bWAR and DEFINITELY should have won it that year.  37 Years Old, Playing for the Anaheim Angels.

Adrian Gonzalez, NL San Diego Padres (2008)

-1.0 dWAR.  There would be years where Adrian Gonzalez would deserve the Gold Glove. This wasn’t one of them.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Adrian Gonzalez, NL San Diego Padres (2) (2009)

0.6 dWAR.  This year was much better defensively as he would lead the American League First Basemen in Total Zone Runs.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Joey Votto, NL Cincinnati Reds (2010)

-0.6 dWAR.  Votto blossomed offensively and was a MVP the year before, though defensively that wasn’t the case.  Otto did however leas the NL First Basemen in Assists and Putouts.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Adrian Gonzalez, AL Boston Red Sox (3) (2011)

0.3 dWAR.  This was the first season that Adrian Gonzalez won the Gold Glove in the American League and he finished 7th in MVP voting.  Gonzalez would lead in Assists and Total Zone Runs.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Albert Pujols, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2) (2011)

0.1 dWAR.  2007 should have been Pujols’ second Gold Glove.  As it turned out it was 2011 and this not a Gold Glove caliber season, though he did lead the NL in Double Plays Turned and Total Zone Runs.  37 Years Old, Playing for the Anaheim Angels.

Eric Hosmer, AL Kansas City Royals (2013)

-0.5 dWAR.  Hosmer would have an excellent offensive season with his first .300 season but committed the most errors amongst American League First Basemen.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

Paul Goldschmidt, NL Arizona Diamondbacks (2013)

0.3 dWAR.  This was the first season that Paul Goldschmidt became an All Star and he would finish second in MVP voting this season.  He would lead the NL in Total Zone Runs and Range Factor per Game.  This was his arrival year!  29 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Eric Hosmer, AL Kansas City Royals (2) (2014)

-0.3 dWAR.  Hosmer led in absolutely no defensive metric, nor did he finish in the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

Adrian Gonzalez, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (4) (2014)

0.2 dWAR.  Gonzalez led the NL First Basemen in Putouts and Assists and finished second in Total Zone Runs.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Eric Hosmer, AL Kansas City Royals (3) (2015)

-0.9 dWAR.  Hosmer had a lousy Defensive bWAR but did lead in Assists, Putouts and Double Plays Turned.  However, he did not make the top ten in Total Zone Runs.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

Paul Goldschmidt, NL Arizona Diamondbacks (2) (2015)

0.9 dWAR.  Off and on.  The season before, Goldschmidt had a negative bWAR, but he rebounded this season.  He would again finish second in MVP voting.  He would again lead in Range Factor per Game by First Basemen in the National League.  29 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mitch Moreland, AL Texas Rangers (2016)

0.0 dWAR.  This is the first individual award of Moreland’s MLB career.  He would lead in Double Plays Turned and Fielding Percentage and finished second in Total Zone Runs.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Anthony Rizzo, NL Chicago Cubs (2016)

This was the season where the Cubs FINALLY broke through!  Rizzo finished 4th in MVP voting (and did so the season before) and this was the first season where he would lead the NL First Basemen in Assists and Total Zone Runs.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Cubs.



This is our lowest yield yet, but this should grow with Helton and Pujols.  It really can’t get worse!

We will continue around the diamond and tackle Second Base next.

Last modified on Tuesday, 01 August 2017 15:21
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Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .

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