by
Greek Giant
After the retirement announcement of Buster Posey we were due for some good news and we received it last night: Brandon Crawford won his fourth Gold Glove! The award is yet another in the trophy case for the great Giant shortstop. Last night Major League Baseball announced the winners of the Gold Glove award given to the best defensive player at each position for each league. Buster Posey was a strong candidate as well but lost out to Pirate Jacob Stallings.
By the way, with this fourth win Crawford joins Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and J.T. Snow as the only four-time winners of the Gold Glove in Giants history.
Here is a gorgeous video compilation of some of BCraw’s best plays at shortstop in 2021 (courtesy of Sean Bialaszek):
In 135 games played Crawford made a scant nine errors with a field percentage of .983. Each of these is a terrific number but the real story is Crawford made many WTF?! plays, meaning he made the routine plays and he made the tough ones and he made some that no human being should be expected to make.
Couple the defensive excellence with his best year at the plate on a 107-win Division-Winning Giants team and you have the makings of a VERY strong MVP year. I would not be shocked of BCraw won the MVP when it is announced in a few days.
Remember all the “Pizzookie” comments from 2017-2019? Remember all the whispers about Crawford losing a few steps, putting on weight and looking uninspired? So much for that. If nothing else, thanks to a new regime of Zaidi and Kapler along with a new coaching staff and a new outlook, Crawford, along with Brandon Belt, is in the midst of a career renaissance.
Here is the complete list of winners in each league along with the other two nominees:
NL Catcher: Jacob Stallings, Pirates (1st career Gold Glove)
Yadier Molina/Cardinals, J.T. Realmuto/Phillies
NL First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (4th)
Freddie Freeman/Braves, Max Muncy/Dodgers
NL Second Base: Tommy Edman, Cardinals (1st)
Ozzie Albies/Braves, Kolten Wong/Brewers
NL Third Base: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (9th)
Manny Machado/Padres, Ryan McMahon/Rockies
NL Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants (4th)
Francisco Lindor/Mets, Kevin Newman/Pirates
NL Left Field: Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals (2nd)
David Peralta/Diamondbacks, AJ Pollock/Dodgers
NL Center Field: Harrison Bader, Cardinals (1st)
Jackie Bradley Jr./Brewers, Bryan Reynolds/Pirates
NL Right Field: Adam Duvall, Braves/Marlins (1st)
Mookie Betts/Dodgers, Mike Yastrzemski/Giants
NL Pitcher: Max Fried/Braves (2nd)
Zach Davies/Cubs, Zack Wheeler/Phillies
AL Catcher: Sean Murphy, Athletics (1st)
Martin Maldonado/Astros, Salvador Perez/Royals
AL First Base: Yuli Gurriel, Astros (1st)
Matt Olson/Athletics, Jared Walsh/Angels
AL Second Base: Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (1st)
David Fletcher/Angels, Whit Merrifield/Royals
AL Third Base: Matt Chapman, Athletics (3rd)
Jose Ramirez/Guardians, Joey Wendle/Rays
AL Shortstop: Carlos Correa, Astros (1st)
J.P. Crawford/Mariners, Andrelton Simmons/Twins
AL Left Field: Andrew Benintendi, Royals (1st)
Randy Arozarena/Rays, Lourdes Gurriel Jr./Blue Jays
AL Center Field: Michael A. Taylor, Royals (1st)
Kevin Kiermaier/Rays, Myles Straw/Guardians
AL Right Field: Joey Gallo, Yankees/Rangers (2nd)
Hunter Renfroe/Red Sox, Kyle Tucker/Astros
AL Pitcher: Dallas Keuchel, White Sox (5th)
Jose Berrios/Blue Jays and Twins, Zack Greinke/Astros