Rawlings Announces 50th Edition Rawlings Gold Glove® American League® Winners
Rodriguez wins 12th to lead all catchers
ST. LOUIS (Nov. 2, 2006) — Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., launched the golden anniversary celebration of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® today by revealing the 50th edition of the Rawlings Gold Glove American League® team.
Catcher Ivan Rodriguez and pitcher Kenny Rogers, the battery that led the Detroit Tigers to this year's World Series, are among the 2006 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners. It is Rodriguez's 12th Rawlings Gold Glove, the most for any catcher, and the fifth for the 41-year-old left-handed Rogers.
Rawlings, the Official Baseball Supplier to Major League Baseball® and the No. 1 brand in baseball gloves, established the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 1957 as the greatest measure of fielding excellence. The award is presented annually to 18 players — one for each position — in the American and National Leagues, selected by Major League coaches and managers prior to the conclusion of the regular season. Managers and coaches may not vote for players from their own club and only vote for players in their own league.
The American League Rawlings Gold Glove lineup spotlights continued excellence and performance in the field from past winners including New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez, and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. Kansas City Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek snagged his first Rawlings Gold Glove award.
The American League winners were revealed Thursday:
| Kenny Rogers (5) |
Detroit Tigers™ |
P |
| Ivan Rodriguez (12) |
Detroit Tigers™ |
C |
| Mark Teixeira (2) |
Texas Rangers™ |
1B |
| Mark Grudzielanek (1) |
Kansas City Royals™ |
2B |
| Eric Chavez (6) |
Oakland Athletics™ |
3B |
| Derek Jeter (3) |
New York Yankees™ |
SS |
| Ichiro Suzuki (6) |
Seattle Mariners™ |
OF |
| Torii Hunter (6) |
Minnesota Twins™ |
OF |
| Vernon Wells (3) |
Toronto Blue Jays™ |
OF |
The National League winners will be revealed Friday, Nov. 3.
The 2006 teams kick off a year-long celebration of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® during which Rawlings will challenge America to select the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary Team: the greatest fielder at each position.
A panel of Major League Baseball historians and experts — including those who played the game, managed the game, governed the game, and reported on the game — will set the initial ballot of 50 players. Beginning in spring training 2007, fans will vote through mobile devices, at retail, and online, including www.rawlingsgoldglove.com. The all time Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary Team will be revealed mid-summer.
As part of the celebration, Rawlings also plans to honor the original 1957 Rawlings Gold Glove team: Bobby Shantz (P), Sherm Lollar (C), Gil Hodges (1B), Nellie Fox (2B), Roy McMillan (SS), Frank Malzone (3B), Minnie Minoso (OF), Al Kaline (OF), Willie Mays (OF).