Gordon, Molina win Platinum Glove awards as leagues' top defenders
Kansas City Royals Alex Gordon and St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina took home more hardware Friday for their exceptional defensive play this season.
Gordon and Molina were named winners of the 2014 Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, an honor reserved for each league's top defender. They were recognized during the Rawlings Gold Glove Award ceremony in New York.
2014 #PlatinumGlove award winners @Yadimolina04 and Alex Gordon @Cardinals @Royals @GoldBaseballs pic.twitter.com/AZPUyFWTY6
— Rawlings Sports (@RawlingsSports) November 8, 2014
The award is presented by SABR and determined based on fan voting and the SABR Defensive Index (STI), which includes defensive runs saved, ultimate zone rating and runs effectively defended.
Molina led National League catchers with an 8.9 STI rating, helped in part by his eight defensive runs saved. The Cardinals backstop was on hand to receive his seventh consecutive Gold Glove Award.
Gordon's 19.9 STI paced all American League outfielders, ranking third in the majors behind Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson and Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward. Gordon's 27 defensive runs saved were tops in the AL. The Royals left fielder won his fourth Gold Glove earlier this week.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado and Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons received the award last year.