Luvofthegame
11-03-2006, 09:42 PM
Third baseman makes return to honor; slugger wins his first
By Matthew Leach
MLB.com
Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols have another reason to celebrate their championship season. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Cardinals Headlines
Albert Pujols may have to add a new shelf in his trophy case. Scott Rolen will simply have to clear a little more room in an already well-populated area of his.
Pujols, long recognized as one of baseball's finest hitters, was honored with his first Gold Glove on Friday. Rolen, considered one of the greatest to roam third base, moved closer to immortality with his seventh.
Pujols made the move to first base permanently in 2003, and with each season, he has developed further as a defender. The slugger tied for the NL lead among regulars with a .996 fielding percentage, finished second in assists, first in range factor and second in total chances.
An aggressive first baseman who gets to a huge number of balls, Pujols has also shown great adeptness at digging out throws from other infielders. He's the first Cardinals first baseman since Keith Hernandez in 1982 to win a Gold Glove.
On the other infield corner, Rolen is a fixture in Gold Glove voting. He didn't win in 2005, but that was due to an injury-shortened season. The only time in his career that Rolen played more than 120 games and didn't win the Gold Glove was his rookie year of 1997.
Despite missing 20 games, Rolen finished second in assists at third base, third in double plays, first in range factor and tied for first in fielding percentage. His arm is recognized as one of the best of any infielder in baseball.
With Gold Glove No. 7, Rolen breaks a tie and takes sole possession of third place on the all-time list at third base. He had been tied with Buddy Bell and Robin Ventura. The only men with more hardware at the position are Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10).
At least two other Cardinals were candidates but fell short. Jim Edmonds, an eight-time winner in the outfield, was shut out for the first time in seven seasons in the National League. Catcher Yadier Molina, who seems sure to win multiple Gold Gloves before he's done playing, will have to wait at least one more year before he picks up his first.
Still, the awards marked a return to form for the Cardinals, who have always prided themselves on defense. It is the seventh straight season that at least one St. Louis player has picked up a Gold Glove. For the sixth time in seven years, the Cards have multiple winners.
The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been given annually since 1957. Coaches and managers vote for winners in their respective leagues, and may not vote for players from their own teams.
By Matthew Leach
MLB.com
Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols have another reason to celebrate their championship season. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Cardinals Headlines
Albert Pujols may have to add a new shelf in his trophy case. Scott Rolen will simply have to clear a little more room in an already well-populated area of his.
Pujols, long recognized as one of baseball's finest hitters, was honored with his first Gold Glove on Friday. Rolen, considered one of the greatest to roam third base, moved closer to immortality with his seventh.
Pujols made the move to first base permanently in 2003, and with each season, he has developed further as a defender. The slugger tied for the NL lead among regulars with a .996 fielding percentage, finished second in assists, first in range factor and second in total chances.
An aggressive first baseman who gets to a huge number of balls, Pujols has also shown great adeptness at digging out throws from other infielders. He's the first Cardinals first baseman since Keith Hernandez in 1982 to win a Gold Glove.
On the other infield corner, Rolen is a fixture in Gold Glove voting. He didn't win in 2005, but that was due to an injury-shortened season. The only time in his career that Rolen played more than 120 games and didn't win the Gold Glove was his rookie year of 1997.
Despite missing 20 games, Rolen finished second in assists at third base, third in double plays, first in range factor and tied for first in fielding percentage. His arm is recognized as one of the best of any infielder in baseball.
With Gold Glove No. 7, Rolen breaks a tie and takes sole possession of third place on the all-time list at third base. He had been tied with Buddy Bell and Robin Ventura. The only men with more hardware at the position are Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10).
At least two other Cardinals were candidates but fell short. Jim Edmonds, an eight-time winner in the outfield, was shut out for the first time in seven seasons in the National League. Catcher Yadier Molina, who seems sure to win multiple Gold Gloves before he's done playing, will have to wait at least one more year before he picks up his first.
Still, the awards marked a return to form for the Cardinals, who have always prided themselves on defense. It is the seventh straight season that at least one St. Louis player has picked up a Gold Glove. For the sixth time in seven years, the Cards have multiple winners.
The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been given annually since 1957. Coaches and managers vote for winners in their respective leagues, and may not vote for players from their own teams.