Andrelton Simmons added a second consecutive Gold Glove and plenty of other awards for his defensive prowess in 2014, but the Braves shortstop will wait a little longer to build a display case for growing collection.
“My mom has the one from (2013),” said Simmons, who was presented with his 2014 Gold Glove during the Braves Leadoff Luncheon Monday. “I still haven’t built a (trophy case) yet. I’ve got to get more first. It’s only a couple.”
Simmons and Braves right fielder Nick Markakis, who won his second Gold Glove last season with the Orioles, were presented their awards during the luncheon, and a repeat presentation on the field prior to Monday night’s game against the Marlins.
In addition to two Gold Glove awards as the National League’s best defensive shortstop, Simmons won a Platinum Glove as the NL’s best overall defensive player in 2013, a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year and Fielding Bible awards as the majors’ best shortstop in 2014, and ESPN SweetSpot Defensive Player of the Year awards as the majors’ top defender each of the past two seasons.
Gone are the days when the Rawlings Gold Glove was the only major honor a defensive player could win. Now there are awards based on voting panels, awards based on advanced defensive metrics, and awards using various combinations of both human judgment and computer-generated statistical analysis.
“It used to be all Gold Gloves,” Simmons said. “It’s cool, though, they’ve got recognition from different views. The more, the better.”
Players, managers and others around baseball will tell you that Simmons, 25, is likely to win many more defensive awards in the next decade or so. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was asked if he sensed he was watching not just a superior defensive player in Simmons, but greatness.
“That’s big to call anyone great, and you hate to do that right now and give him that label,” Gonzalez said. “But he’s really, really darn good. What you love about him, he’s got the whole defensive game. He goes out to cut off on a relay and third-base coaches around the league know, hey, we’ve got to stop him because he will throw somebody out. He’s got a strong arm, he’s accurate. He’s relentless. He’s looking for the next out.
“He gets the ball even though his back is to the infield, he’s got that (inner) clock and he’s looking to throw the ball behind somebody. Sometimes it’s caught some of our infielders (by surprise). Now they gotten used to it but you better be aware when he’s got the ball. He’s got that clock, you can’t teach that. You’ve got to have it naturally and he’s got it.”
