The Golden Glove Awards, also known as the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, are annual honors given to professional baseball players in Major League Baseball (MLB) for their exceptional fielding skills. The awards recognize outstanding individual performances and defensive prowess demonstrated by players at each position, including pitchers, catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, and outfielders. Established in 1957 by the sporting goods company Rawlings, in collaboration with the Major League Baseball Alumni Association, the Golden Glove Awards have become one of the most prestigious accolades in the sport.
Winners of the Golden Glove Awards are determined through a voting process conducted by the major league managers and coaches, who evaluate and select the most deserving players from both the American League and National League. The criteria for the awards are based on demonstrated fielding excellence, including exceptional reflexes, agility, exceptional skill in handling the position, consistently excellent performance, exceptional ability to make difficult and routine plays, and overall contributions to the team's defensive success.
The distinction of winning a Golden Glove not only recognizes the individual player’s exceptional fielding ability but also enhances their standing in the league, enhances their reputation as an exceptional defensive player, and contributes to their overall career accolades. The Golden Glove Awards ceremony is annually held during the MLB postseason, where the winners are presented with their awards in recognition of their exceptional fielding achievement.
