50th Edition of Rawlings Gold Glove Awards® for MLB Leads Off Golden Anniversary Celebration
America to Debate and Vote on All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team;
Original 1957 Rawlings Gold Glovers to be Honored
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 30, 2006) — For 50 years, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® has been baseball's ultimate and undisputed measure of excellence in the field. This week, Rawlings will launch the award's Golden Anniversary by unveiling the 50th editions of the American League and National League Rawlings Gold Glove teams, and providing details of a nationwide fan vote to select the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary team — the greatest fielder at each position.
Nothing beats a great baseball debate, and voting for the Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary team will be akin to turning a triple play: it will be a tremendous challenge … and the debate will be feverish. How would America choose between Willie Mays, Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Edmonds and Roberto Clemente? Johnny Bench or Pudge Rodriguez? Ozzie Smith, Derek Jeter or Omar Vizquel? Brooks Robinson or Scott Rolen? Jim Kaat or Greg Maddux?
A panel of baseball historians and experts — including those who played, managed, governed and reported on the game — will set the ballot: 50 players, several at each position. The ballot will be revealed and turned over to the fans during Spring Training for a national vote. The all time Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary Team will be revealed during the All-Star break.
Fans will be able to vote online, through mobile devices, and at select team dealers and retail locations.
"The 50th anniversary of the Rawlings Gold Glove is an opportunity to elevate discussion about what I feel is the purest part of the game — defense," said Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who won 13 Rawlings Gold Gloves during his career.
"While managers and coaches select the annual Rawlings Gold Glove teams, baseball always has been the fans' game," Rawlings President and General Manager Robert Parish said. "We fully expect the ballot to reach and spark discussions across generations. No fans are more passionate about their sport's history and players."
As part of the celebration, Rawlings 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).
The 2006 American League and National League Rawlings Gold Glove teams are scheduled to be revealed Thursday (Nov. 2) and Friday (Nov. 3), respectively, via an expanded arrangement between Rawlings and ESPN that includes its television and online properties. To kick off debate about the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove Golden Anniversary team, ESPNews will air a special segment at 4:10 p.m. EST Wednesday (Nov. 1).
"By expanding our relationship with ESPN, fans will be able to find out the winners and interact through a wide variety of formats," Parish said. "It's the launch of an integrated marketing program that we are confident will drive brand awareness and sales as we involve our retailers and team dealers in a big, big way."
In conjunction with the anniversary, Rawlings will soon launch a new Web site — rawlingsgoldglove.com — as the single destination to engage and educate fans about the award and anniversary. The informational, interactive site will allow fans to research players on the ballot, cast votes, and engage in debate. Rawlingsgoldglove.com also will provide voting updates, news and more.
The greatest measure of fielding excellence since 1957, the heralded Rawlings Gold Glove Award is presented annually to 18 MLB players, one for each position, in both the National and American Leagues. These outstanding players are selected as the best fielding players at their respective positions by Major League coaches and managers prior to the conclusion of the regular season. Managers and coaches may not select players from their own club and only vote for players in their own league.