Ballot Selection Underway for All-Time Rawlings Gold® Glove Team
Baseball Experts Setting Lineup from which Fans will Vote for "Finest In the Field"
ST. LOUIS (December 5, 2006) — Picking the best Rawlings Gold Glovers of all time can be a tough exercise. So before fans vote for their favorite fielders, Rawlings is turning to the experts for help.
A crackerjack team of baseball pundits and purists — a congress of Major League Baseball® historians and experts, including those who played the game, managed the game, and reported on the game — have been tasked with setting the initial ballot of 50 players for the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
Since 1957, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award has stood as the measuring stick of fielding excellence — the ultimate benchmark for outstanding defensive performance. As part of the Rawlings Gold Glove 50th Anniversary celebration, authorities on America's Pastime are voting to select the game's top 50 fielders. Rawlings will then ask fans across the country to select the "Finest in the Field," one player at each position.
"Once the Top 50 has been decided, we'll turn it over to the fans to pick the best position players of all time. Baseball fans will pontificate and wax poetic because no fans are more passionate about their sport's history and players. Rawlings will start, stir, and publicize this great debate because nothing beats a good baseball argument," said Robert Parish, Rawlings president and general manager.
Panelists include current and former Major League Baseball officials, skippers who won multiple Manager of the Year awards, Ford C. Frick award winners, J.G. Taylor Spink award winners, and other baseball experts, including broadcasters, historians, and current and former presidents of the Baseball Writers Association of America. From Bob Costas to Vin Scully, from Tommy Lasorda to Tony LaRussa, from Ernie Harwell to Harry Kalas to Hank Bauer to Tim Kurkjian, experts are casting their personal votes.
Ballots will be tabulated to determine a team of 50 players at various positions: three pitchers, five catchers, six first baseman, six second baseman, six third basemen, six shortstops, and 18 outfielders. It's a daunting task. Who are the players with the best gloves, the best arms, the best range? Who are the fielders who more often than not dazzled fans and frazzled hitters?
After the ballot is set, Rawlings will unveil the ballot during spring training 2007 at a special event honoring the original 1957 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners. Baseball fans of all ages will then be able to cast their votes for the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team — one player at each position — via voting online (rawlingsgoldglove.com), through mobile devices, and at retail.
The voting will kick off a nationwide debate and campaign that will culminate with the election of the best nine fielders at their positions. The debate will span skill sets, generations, and eras. Great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and kids will be able to vote for their favorite players.
The All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team as chosen by fans will be revealed mid-summer.
Who would you pick? Willie Mays, Ken Griffey, Jr., or Roberto Clemente roaming the outfield? Ryne Sandberg or Roberto Alomar at second? Brooks Robinson or Mike Schmidt at the hot corner. Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel at shortstop? Greg Maddux or Jim Kaat fielding his position on the mound?
To learn more, visit www.rawlingsgoldglove.com.