In a 1956 spring training survey, Elmer A. Blasco--employed by Rawlings Sporting Goods as advertising, public relations and sales manager--found that 83 percent of the active regular major league players wore Rawlings gloves or mitts. Noting that Hillerich & Bradsby (the major leagues' leading baseball bat supplier) awarded Silver Bats to the leagues' top hitters, Blasco reasoned that Rawlings ought to sponsor some sort of fielding award. After his idea was accepted by Rawlings' management, Blasco contacted the Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis and obtained from them a hide of gold lame-tanned leather used to make ladies' formal slippers. A glove was crafted from this hide, laced and stamped as a regular fielders glove, and attached to a metal fixture on a walnut base with an appropriate engraved plate.
Thus was born the Gold Glove Award.
The October 2, 1957, edition of The Sporting News featured a full-page advertisement/announcement: "Recognizing the importance of superior individual fielding performance to the advancement of baseball as America's national game, Rawlings (Sporting Goods Company) has established Annual Gold Glove Awards beginning with the 1957 season.
"Each of the nine Major League players chosen for The Sporting News All-Star Fielding Team will be honored with a Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Selections will be made by a Committee named by The Sporting News.
"Awards will be Rawlings custom-built gloves or mitts hand-crafted of special metallic gold-finished leather, each mounted on a suitable hardwood stand bearing an engraved plate."
TSN publisher J.G. Taylor Spink appointed nineteen noted sportswriters for the selection task. They included Shirley Povich, Edgar Munzel, Hy Hurwitz, Earl Lawson, Bob Broeg, Allen Lewis, and Hal Lebowitz. A contest to predict the winners, open to baseball-playing boys, was sponsored by Rawlings.
The first Gold Glove winners were announced with great pomp and circumstance in the December 18, 1957, issue of TSN. "Too long neglected, the magicians of the defense have had no real recognition," the article explained, adding that the selections were made "solely on the basis of their defensive ability." Rawlings and TSN also joined forces that year in the establishment of the Silver Glove Award, given to the top minor league fielder at each position--based entirely on fielding averages. In 1958 the Gold Glove selection privilege was turned over to the major league players and an All-Star Fielding Team was selected for each league (as it still is). In 1961 the method for selecting outfielders was changed. Rather than choosing a left-, center-, and right fielder for each league, each voter was instructed to name three outfielders regardless of position (still the practice today).
In 1965 the managers and coaches of each team took over the voting responsibility, which they have retained ever since. Voters are not permitted to select players on their own teams. In 1987, 139 different managers and coaches took part in the balloting.
Perhaps because of its originality, the Gold Glove is the one Sporting News award that has gained universal acceptance and prestige in the baseball world. However, as with any award, the selections often draw criticism.
One complaint is that too much importance is given to fielding average. Most of us realize that FA is not always a reliable indicator of defensive ability, but how much does it influence the Gold Glove voters? Of the 366 FA leaders at the various positions between 1957-87 (discounting pitchers and counting only one outfielder per league each year), 118 (32 percent) also won their respective Gold Glove Awards (see Table 1). We can say, then, that if a player leads his league in FA, he has about a one-in-three chance of winning the Gold Glove--not an overwhelming correlation, but about four times better than random chance. This raises some interesting questions. Since official fielding statistics are not published until months after Gold Gloves are voted on, any voter relying on fielding stats would probably have to consult (or remember) the previous year's data. Therefore, if FA itself really does impress voters, we should expect to see many players winning a Gold Glove the year after they lead in FA. Do they? Well, no (see Table 2). The percentage here is 25 percent or one-in-four--again, considerably better than chance, but less of a factor than leading in FA in the current year. And what about the influence of Gold Gloves on fielding averages? Is an official scorer less likely to charge an error against a player simply because he won a Gold Glove the previous year? Apparently not (see Table 3). The percentage of Gold Glove recipients leading in FA the following year is 23 percent.
"It is my belief that a lot more is considered than fielding percentage," said TSN editor Tom Barnidge, citing "range, throwing arm, the headiness of the ballplayer." Pete Rose, a two-time Gold Glove winner and later a voter, concurred: "There are a lot of intangibles involved in voting for the Gold Glove. Take an outfielder. The coaches and managers watch these guys all the time. How they play the hitters, how strong their arms are, how often they hit the cutoff man, and all that is taken into consideration--things that do not show up in the statistics."
Another criticism of the Gold Glove is that batting performance plays a role in the selections, contrary to the award's philosophy. As USA Today baseball editor Hal Bodley put it, "A player who is outstanding on defense and respectable on offense has a much better chance of getting a Gold Glove than a counterpart whose forte is fielding alone."
Other factors can be distractions to the voters: flashiness, reputations, and the selection process itself. For insight on some of these and their effects, I consulted an expert on the Gold Glove: Wes Parker, a six-time winner of the award at first base.
Parker, it should be noted, would seem to have no reason to gripe about the award. He grasped the honor from a seven-time winner; he won it even when he batted as low as .239; and he became one of only two nonpitchers (Roberto Clemente is the other) to win the award in his final major league season.
"I would say many, if not most, coaches and managers fail to take their voting responsibility seriously," said Parker. "They don't treat it as a vital act. They are usually much more concerned with their team and the pennant race and, as a result, tend to zip through the ballots (distributed in September). So they wind up voting for the most recognizable names."
Parker brought out another rarely discussed procedural problem: "Since players [when they were voting] and coaches are forbidden to vote for anyone on their own team, they often won't vote for the guy who is contending with their team's leading candidate for the same award. That increases their teammate's chances." On the subject of reputation, Parker asserted that it "has a lot to do with it, absolutely. In 1966, Bill White won the award (for the seventh consecutive time), although even White admitted that I probably deserved it. It takes a couple of years for your reputation to catch up with you, but that can work to your advantage at the end of your career.
"Flashiness is a factor too," continued Parker. "It puts the player's name in the forefront of the voter's minds." Wes also concurred with the theory that a player's bat can be the difference in winning this "fielding' award.
"[Four-time Gold Glove winner Steve] Garvey is a good example of someone who won it with his bat and notoriety, a perfect example, in fact," opines Parker. "Garvey was vastly overrated defensively . . . he had no range, no arm, and no aggressiveness. He would hold the ball and allow opposing runners to take extra bases to avoid throwing errors. That's how he compiled his high [fielding] averages at first base. Remember, he was a terrible third baseman, worst I ever saw." (In 1972, Garvey's last season as a third-sacker, he led the NL with 28 errors in just 85 games, posting a woeful .902 percentage.) "Amazingly, despite these prejudices," Parker concluded, "I think the Gold Glove choices have been excellent. At first base I think they have been perfect, with the exception of Garvey."
While the Gold Glove Award has adequately filled the need for a subjective fielding award, there is still something to be said about fielding statistics. It is fashionable to say that fielding stats are meaningless, but, as analyst Bill James said, "If a baseball statistic is meaningless to you, that is simply because you don't know what it means."
With the understanding of which fielding statistics are meaningful for each position, it is possible to make a pretty reliable judgment of a player's defensive skills based on stats alone. In recent years, several analysts have attempted to measure individual fielding performance on the basis of numbers.
One newer method is Linear Weights, Pete Palmer's translation of individual batting, pitching, and fielding statistics into runs gained and thus games won. The fielding portion of the system, Fielding or Defensive Wins, incorporates data (variously weighted according to position) on putouts, assists, errors, and double plays, comparing a player's totals against the league averages. The formula first determines how many runs a player saves (or costs) his team as compared to an "average" player at the same position. Runs are then translated into wins, based on the league average of runs per win. For example, second baseman Glenn Hubbard was computed to have won about three and a half games for the Braves with his glove in 1986, the top Defensive Wins total in the majors. Of the sixty players identified by the Palmer system as the best fielders in their leagues between 1957-86, twenty-eight also won their respective Gold Glove Awards.
Palmer has drawn criticism for comparing players with average, rather than replacement-level, players; for overemphasizing the double play; and for the use of arbitrary weighting schemes. It is particularly--and admittedly--inadequate in evaluating catchers.
Bill James has also presented a fielding measurement system, Defensive Won/Lost Percentage (DW/L%), although he hasn't used it since 1984. The formula varies from position to position, using four arbitrarily weighted components at each. These components range from readily available statistics (fielding average, assists per game, and so on) to abstruse estimations and calculations, using some data unavailable to the average researcher. The formula is not designed for cross-era comparisons. The results of these calculations produce the DW/L%, which in turn is translated into defensive wins and losses, based on still more arbitrary assignments of defensive games at each position (ranging from 3 at first base to 11 at shortstop).
Of the thirty-two players identified by DW/L% as the best at their positions and leagues for the 1983-84 seasons, twelve (38 percent) also won their respective Gold Gloves. The use of a series of arbitrary values is the glaring flaw of DW/L%. Criticism is also due for the complexity and lack of adaptability of the system(s).
The Elias Sports Bureau has demonstrated a simple and generally effective system for evaluating fielders: comparing the number of runs scored per nine innings while a player is on the field to the number scored when he isn't. For example, Elias calculated that the 1982-86 Cardinals averaged allowing 3.85 runs per nine innings with Ozzie Smith at shortstop, as compared to 4.04 per game with other shortstops.
There is nothing new or brilliant about this concept; the difference is that Elias has the data available to make this type of measurement, right down to thirds of an inning, at least since 1975. Since they generally choose not to share this data with the public, however, it is of no value at present.
So, when all is said and done about modern statistical fielding measurements, a subjective measurement--the Gold Glove--is probably still the best tool we have available to rate fielders.
The following pages list the winners of the Gold Glove at each position since 1957. Complete balloting for Gold Glove elections is, unfortunately, neither available nor researchable.
| Pitchers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | (No selection) | B. Shantz, NY |
| 1958 | H. Haddix, CIN | B. Shantz, NY |
| 1959 | H. Haddix, PIT | B. Shantz, NY |
| 1960 | H. Haddix, PIT | B. Shantz, NY |
| 1961 | B. Shantz, PIT | F. Lary, DET |
| 1962 | B. Shantz, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1963 | B. Shantz, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1964 | B. Shantz, PHI | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1965 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1966 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1967 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1968 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1969 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1970 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1971 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1972 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1973 | B. Gibson, SL | J. Kaat, MIN |
| 1974 | A. Messersmith, LA | J. Kaat, CHI |
| 1975 | A. Messersmith, LA | J. Kaat, CHI |
| 1976 | J. Kaat, PHI | J. Palmer, BAL |
| 1977 | J. Kaat, PHI | J. Palmer, BAL |
| 1978 | P. Niekro, ATL | J. Palmer, BAL |
| 1979 | P. Niekro, ATL | J. Palmer, BAL |
| 1980 | P. Niekro, ATL | M. Norris, OAK |
| 1981 | S. Carlton, PHI | M. Norris, OAK |
| 1982 | P. Niekro, ATL | R. Guidry, NY |
| 1983 | P. Niekro, ATL | R. Guidry, NY |
| 1984 | J. Andujar, SL | R. Guidry, NY |
| 1985 | R. Reuschel, PIT | R. Guidry, NY |
| 1986 | F. Valenzuela, LA | R. Guidry, NY |
| 1987 | R. Reuschel, SF | M. Langston, SEA |
| 1988 | O. Hershiser, LA | M. Langston, SEA |
| 1989 | R. Darling, NY | B. Saberhagen, KC |
| 1990 | G. Maddux, CHI | M. Boddicker, BOS |
| 1991 | G. Maddux, CHI | M. Langston, CAL |
| 1992 | G. Maddux, CHI | M. Langston, CAL |
| 1993 | G. Maddux, CHI | M. Langston, CAL |
| 1994 | G. Maddux, ATL | M. Langston, CAL |
| 1995 | G. Maddux, ATL | M. Langston, CAL |
| 1996 | G. Maddux, ATL | M. Mussina, BAL |
| 1997 | G. Maddux, ATL | M. Mussina, BAL |
| Catchers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | (No selection) | S. Lollar, CHI |
| 1958 | D. Crandall, MIL | S. Lollar, CHI |
| 1959 | D. Crandall, MIL | S. Lollar, CHI |
| 1960 | D. Crandall, MIL | E. Battey, WAS |
| 1961 | J. Roseboro, LA | E. Battey, MIN |
| 1962 | D. Crandall, MIL | E. Battey, MIN |
| 1963 | J. Edwards, CIN | E. Howard, NY |
| 1964 | J. Edwards, CIN | E. Howard, NY |
| 1965 | J. Torre, MIL | B. Freehan, DET |
| 1966 | J. Roseboro, LA | B. Freehan, DET |
| 1967 | R. Hundley, CHI | B. Freehan, DET |
| 1968 | J. Bench, CIN | B. Freehan, DET |
| 1969 | J. Bench, CIN | B. Freehan, DET |
| 1970 | J. Bench, CIN | R. Fosse, CLE |
| 1971 | J. Bench, CIN | R. Fosse, CLE |
| 1972 | J. Bench, CIN | C. Fisk, BOS |
| 1973 | J. Bench, CIN | T. Munson, NY |
| 1974 | J. Bench, CIN | T. Munson, NY |
| 1975 | J. Bench, CIN | T. Munson, NY |
| 1976 | J. Bench, CIN | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1977 | J. Bench, CIN | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1978 | B. Boone, PHI | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1979 | B. Boone, PHI | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1980 | G. Carter, MON | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1981 | G. Carter, MON | J. Sundberg, TEX |
| 1982 | G. Carter, MON | B. Boone, CAL |
| 1983 | T. Pena, PIT | Lc. Parrish, DET |
| 1984 | T. Pena, PIT | Lc. Parrish, DET |
| 1985 | T. Pena, PIT | Lc. Parrish, DET |
| 1986 | J. Davis, CHI | B. Boone, CAL |
| 1987 | M. LaValliere, PIT | B. Boone, CAL |
| 1988 | B. Santiago, SD | B. Boone, CAL |
| 1989 | B. Santiago, SD | B. Boone, KC |
| 1990 | B. Santiago, SD | S. Alomar, CLE |
| 1991 | T. Pagnozzi, SL | T. Pena, BOS |
| 1992 | T. Pagnozzi, SL | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| 1993 | K. Manwaring, SF | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| 1994 | T. Pagnozzi, SL | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| 1995 | C. Johnson, FLA | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| 1996 | C. Johnson, FLA | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| 1997 | C. Johnson, FLA | I. Rodriguez, TEX |
| First Basemen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | G. Hodges, BRO | (No selection) |
| 1958 | G. Hodges, LA | V. Power, CLE |
| 1959 | G. Hodges, LA | V. Power, CLE |
| 1960 | B. White, SL | V. Power, CLE |
| 1961 | B. White, SL | V. Power, CLE |
| 1962 | B. White, SL | V. Power, MIN |
| 1963 | B. White, SL | V. Power, MIN |
| 1964 | B. White, SL | V. Power, LA |
| 1965 | B. White, SL | J. Pepitone, NY |
| 1966 | B. White, PHI | J. Pepitone, NY |
| 1967 | W. Parker, LA | G. Scott, BOS |
| 1968 | W. Parker, LA | G. Scott, BOS |
| 1969 | W. Parker, LA | J. Pepitone, NY |
| 1970 | W. Parker, LA | J. Spencer, CAL |
| 1971 | W. Parker, LA | G. Scott, BOS |
| 1972 | W. Parker, LA | G. Scott, MIL |
| 1973 | M. Jorgenson, MON | G. Scott, MIL |
| 1974 | S. Garvey, LA | G. Scott, MIL |
| 1975 | S. Garvey, LA | G. Scott, MIL |
| 1976 | S. Garvey, LA | G. Scott, MIL |
| 1977 | S. Garvey, LA | J. Spencer, CHI |
| 1978 | K. Hernandez, SL | C. Chambliss, NY |
| 1979 | K. Hernandez, SL | C. Cooper, MIL |
| 1980 | K. Hernandez, SL | C. Cooper, MIL |
| 1981 | K. Hernandez, SL | M. Squires, CHI |
| 1982 | K. Hernandez, SL | E. Murray, BAL |
| 1983 | K. Hernandez, SL-NY | E. Murray, BAL |
| 1984 | K. Hernandez, NY | E. Murray, BAL |
| 1985 | K. Hernandez, NY | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1986 | K. Hernandez, NY | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1987 | K. Hernandez, NY | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1988 | K. Hernandez, NY | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1989 | A. Galarraga, MON | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1990 | A. Galarraga, MON | M. McGwire, OAK |
| 1991 | W. Clark, SF | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1992 | M. Grace, CHI | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1993 | M. Grace, CHI | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1994 | J. Bagwell, HOU | D. Mattingly, NY |
| 1995 | M. Grace, CHI | J.T. Snow, CAL |
| 1996 | M. Grace, CHI | J.T. Snow, CAL |
| 1997 | J.T. Snow, SF | Rafael Palmiero, BAL |
| Second Basemen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | (No selection) | N. Fox, CHI |
| 1958 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | F. Bolling, DET |
| 1959 | C. Neal, LA | N. Fox, CHI |
| 1960 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | N. Fox, CHI |
| 1961 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Richardson, NY |
| 1962 | K. Hubbs, CHI | B. Richardson, NY |
| 1963 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Richardson, NY |
| 1964 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Richardson, NY |
| 1965 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Richardson, NY |
| 1966 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Knoop, CAL |
| 1967 | B. Mazeroski, PIT | B. Knoop, CAL |
| 1968 | G. Beckert, CHI | B. Knoop, CAL |
| 1969 | F. Millan, ATL | D. Johnson, BAL |
| 1970 | T. Helms, CIN | D. Johnson, BAL |
| 1971 | T. Helms, CIN | D. Johnson, BAL |
| 1972 | F. Millan, ATL | D. Griffin, BOS |
| 1973 | J. Morgan, CIN | B. Grich, BAL |
| 1974 | J. Morgan, CIN | B. Grich, BAL |
| 1975 | J. Morgan, CIN | B. Grich, BAL |
| 1976 | J. Morgan, CIN | B. Grich, BAL |
| 1977 | J. Morgan, CIN | F. White, KC |
| 1978 | D. Lopes, LA | F. White, KC |
| 1979 | M. Trillo, PHI | F. White, KC |
| 1980 | D. Flynn, NY | F. White, KC |
| 1981 | M. Trillo, PHI | F. White, KC |
| 1982 | M. Trillo, PHI | F. White, KC |
| 1983 | R. Sandberg, CHI | L. Whitaker, DET |
| 1984 | R. Sandberg, CHI | L. Whitaker, DET |
| 1985 | R. Sandberg, CHI | L. Whitaker, DET |
| 1986 | R. Sandberg, CHI | F. White, KC |
| 1987 | R. Sandberg, CHI | F. White, KC |
| 1988 | R. Sandberg, CHI | H. Reynolds, SEA |
| 1989 | R. Sandberg, CHI | H. Reynolds, SEA |
| 1990 | R. Sandberg, CHI | H. Reynolds, SEA |
| 1991 | R. Sandberg, CHI | R. Alomar, TOR |
| 1992 | J. Lind, PIT | R. Alomar, TOR |
| 1993 | R. Thompson, SF | R. Alomar, TOR |
| 1994 | C. Biggio, HOU | R. Alomar, TOR |
| 1995 | C. Biggio, HOU | R. Alomar, TOR |
| 1996 | C. Biggio, HOU | R. Alomar, BAL |
| 1997 | C. Biggio, HOU | C. Knoblauch, MIN |
| Third Basemen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | (No selection) | F. Malzone, BOS |
| 1958 | K. Boyer, SL | F. Malzone, BOS |
| 1959 | K. Boyer, SL | F. Malzone, BOS |
| 1960 | K. Boyer, SL | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1961 | K. Boyer, SL | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1962 | J. Davenport, SF | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1963 | K. Boyer, SL | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1964 | R. Santo, CHI | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1965 | R. Santo, CHI | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1966 | R. Santo, CHI | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1967 | R. Santo, CHI | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1968 | R. Santo, CHI | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1969 | C. Boyer, ATL | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1970 | D. Rader, HOU | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1971 | D. Rader, HOU | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1972 | D. Rader, HOU | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1973 | D. Rader, HOU | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1974 | D. Rader, HOU | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1975 | K. Reitz, SL | B. Robinson, BAL |
| 1976 | M. Schmidt, PHI | A. Rodriguez, DET |
| 1977 | M. Schmidt, PHI | G. Nettles, NY |
| 1978 | M. Schmidt, PHI | G. Nettles, NY |
| 1979 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1980 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1981 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1982 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1983 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1984 | M. Schmidt, PHI | B. Bell, TEX |
| 1985 | T. Wallach, MON | G. Brett, KC |
| 1986 | M. Schmidt, PHI | G. Gaetti, MIN |
| 1987 | T. Pendleton, SL | G. Gaetti, MIN |
| 1988 | T. Wallach, MON | G. Gaetti, MIN |
| 1989 | T. Pendleton, SL | G. Gaetti, MIN |
| 1990 | T. Wallach, MON | K. Gruber, TOR |
| 1991 | M. Williams, SF | R. Ventura, CHI |
| 1992 | T. Pendleton, ATL | R. Ventura, CHI |
| 1993 | M. Williams, SF | R. Ventura, CHI |
| 1994 | M. Williams, SF | W. Boggs, NY |
| 1995 | K. Caminiti, SD | W. Boggs, NY |
| 1996 | K. Caminiti, SD | R. Ventura, CHI |
| 1997 | K. Caminiti, SD | M. Williams, CLE |
| Shortstops | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | National League | American League |
| 1957 | R. McMillan, CIN | (No selection) |
| 1958 | R. McMillan, CIN | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1959 | R. McMillan, CIN | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1960 | E. Banks, CHI | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1961 | M. Wills, LA | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1962 | M. Wills, LA | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1963 | B. Wine, PHI | Z. Versalles, MIN |
| 1964 | R. Amaro, PHI | L. Aparicio, BAL |
| 1965 | L. Cardenas, CIN | Z. Versalles, MIN |
| 1966 | G. Alley, PIT | L. Aparicio, BAL |
| 1967 | G. Alley, PIT | J. Fregosi, CAL |
| 1968 | D. Maxvill, SL | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1969 | D. Kessinger, CHI | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1970 | D. Kessinger, CHI | L. Aparicio, CHI |
| 1971 | B. Harrelson, NY | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1972 | L. Bowa, PHI | E. Brinkman, DET |
| 1973 | R. Metzger, HOU | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1974 | D. Concepcion, CIN | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1975 | D. Concepcion, CIN | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1976 | D. Concepcion, CIN | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1977 | D. Concepcion, CIN | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1978 | L. Bowa, PHI | M. Belanger, BAL |
| 1979 | D. Concepcion, CIN | R. Burleson, BOS |
| 1980 | O. Smith, SD | A. Trammell, DET |
| 1981 | O. Smith, SD | A. Trammell, DET |
| 1982 | O. Smith, SL | R. Yount, MIL |
| 1983 | O. Smith, SL | A. Trammell, DET |
| 1984 | O. Smith, SL | A. Trammell, DET |
| 1985 | O. Smith, SL | A. Griffin, OAK |
| 1986 | O. Smith, SL | T. Fernandez, TOR |
| 1987 | O. Smith, SL | T. Fernandez, TOR |
| 1988 | O. Smith, SL | T. Fernandez, TOR |
| 1989 | O. Smith, SL | T. Fernandez, TOR |
| 1990 | O. Smith, SL | O. Guillen, CHI |
| 1991 | O. Smith, SL | C. Ripken, BAL |
| 1992 | O. Smith, SL | C. Ripken, BAL |
| 1993 | J. Bell, PIT | O. Vizquel, SEA |
| 1994 | B. Larkin, CIN | O. Vizquel, CLE |
| 1995 | B. Larkin, CIN | O. Vizquel, CLE |
| 1996 | B. Larkin, CIN | O. Vizquel, CLE |
| 1997 | R. Ordonez, NYM | O. Vizquel, CLE |
| American League Outfielders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |||
| 1957 | M. Minoso, CHI (LF) | A. Kaline, DET (RF) | (No other selection) |
| 1958 | N. Siebern, NY (LF) | J. Piersall, BOS (CF) | A. Kaline, DET (RF) |
| 1959 | M. Minoso, CLE (LF) | A. Kaline, DET (CF) | J. Jensen, BOS (RF) |
| 1960 | M. Minoso, CHI (LF) | J. Landis, CHI (CF) | R. Maris, NY (RF) |
| 1961 | A. Kaline, DET | J. Piersall, CLE | J. Landis, CHI |
| 1962 | J. Landis, CHI | M. Mantle, NY | A. Kaline, DET |
| 1963 | A. Kaline, DET | C. Yastrzemski, BOS | J. Landis, CHI |
| 1964 | A. Kaline, DET | J. Landis, CHI | V. Davalillo, CLE |
| 1965 | A. Kaline, DET | T. Tresh, NY | C. Yastrzemski, BOS |
| 1966 | A. Kaline, DET | T. Agee, CHI | T. Oliva, MIN |
| 1967 | C. Yastrzemski, BOS | P. Blair, BAL | A. Kaline, DET |
| 1968 | M. Stanley, DET | C. Yastrzemski, BOS | R. Smith, BOS |
| 1969 | P. Blair, BAL | M. Stanley, DET | C. Yastrzemski, BOS |
| 1970 | M. Stanley, DET | P. Blair, BAL | K. Berry, CHI |
| 1971 | P. Blair, BAL | A. Otis, KC | C. Yastrzemski, BOS |
| 1972 | P. Blair, BAL | B. Murcer, NY | K. Berry, CAL |
| 1973 | P. Blair, BAL | A. Otis, KC | M. Stanley, DET |
| 1974 | P. Blair, BAL | A. Otis, KC | J. Rudi, OAK |
| 1975 | P. Blair, BAL | J. Rudi, OAK | F. Lynn, BOS |
| 1976 | J. Rudi, OAK | Dw. Evans, BOS | R. Manning, CLE |
| 1977 | J. Beniquez, TEX | C. Yastrzemski, BOS | A. Cowens, KC |
| 1978 | F. Lynn, BOS | Dw. Evans, BOS | R. Miller, CAL |
| 1979 | Dw. Evans, BOS | S. Lezcano, MIL | F. Lynn, BOS |
| 1980 | F. Lynn, BOS | D. Murphy, OAK | W. Wilson, KC |
| 1981 | D. Murphy, OAK | Dw. Evans, BOS | R. Henderson, OAK |
| 1982 | Dw. Evans, BOS | D. Winfield, NY | D. Murphy, OAK |
| 1983 | Dw. Evans, BOS | D. Winfield, NY | D. Murphy, OAK |
| 1984 | Dw. Evans, BOS | D. Winfield, NY | D. Murphy, OAK |
| 1985 | G. Pettis, CAL | D. Winfield, NY | Dw. Evans, BOS & D. Murphy, OAK |
| 1986 | G. Pettis, CAL | J. Barfield, TOR | K. Puckett, MIN |
| 1987 | J. Barfield, TOR | K. Puckett, MIN | D. Winfield, NY |
| 1988 | K. Puckett, MIN | D. White, CAL | G. Pettis, DET |
| 1989 | D. White, CAL | G. Pettis, DET | K. Puckett, MIN |
| 1990 | G. Pettis, TEX | K. Griffey Jr., SEA | E. Burks, BOS |
| 1991 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | D. White, TOR | K. Puckett, MIN |
| 1992 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | D. White, TOR | K. Puckett, MIN |
| 1993 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | D. White, TOR | K. Lofton, CLE |
| 1994 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | D. White, TOR | K. Lofton, CLE |
| 1995 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | D. White, TOR | K. Lofton, CLE |
| 1996 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | K. Lofton, CLE | J. Buhner, SEA |
| 1997 | K. Griffey, Jr., SEA | B. Williams, NYY | J. Edmonds, ANA |
| National League Outfielders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |||
| 1957 | W. Mays, NY (CF) | (No other selections) | |
| 1958 | F. Robinson, CIN (LF) | W. Mays, SF (CF) | H. Aaron, MIL (RF) |
| 1959 | J. Brandt, SF (LF) | W. Mays, SF (CF) | H. Aaron, MIL (RF) |
| 1960 | W. Moon, LA (LF) | W. Mays, SF (CF) | H. Aaron, MIL (RF) |
| 1961 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | V. Pinson, CIN |
| 1962 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | B. Virdon, PIT |
| 1963 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL |
| 1964 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL |
| 1965 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL |
| 1966 | W. Mays, SF | C. Flood, SL | R. Clemente, PIT |
| 1967 | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL | W. Mays, SF |
| 1968 | W. Mays, SF | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL |
| 1969 | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Flood, SL | P. Rose, CIN |
| 1970 | R. Clemente, PIT | T. Agee, NY | P. Rose, CIN |
| 1971 | R. Clemente, PIT | B. Bonds, SF | W. Davis, LA |
| 1972 | R. Clemente, PIT | C. Cedeno, HOU | W. Davis, LA |
| 1973 | B. Bonds, SF | C. Cedeno, HOU | W. Davis, LA |
| 1974 | C. Cedeno, HOU | C. Geronimo, CIN | B. Bonds, SF |
| 1975 | C. Cedeno, HOU | C. Geronimo, CIN | G. Maddox, PHI |
| 1976 | C. Cedeno, HOU | C. Geronimo, CIN | G. Maddox, PHI |
| 1977 | C. Geronimo, CIN | G. Maddox, PHI | D. Parker, PIT |
| 1978 | G. Maddox, PHI | D. Parker, PIT | E. Valentine, MON |
| 1979 | G. Maddox, PHI | D. Parker, PIT | D. Winfield, SD |
| 1980 | A. Dawson, MON | G. Maddox, PHI | D. Winfield, SD |
| 1981 | A. Dawson, MON | G. Maddox, PHI | D. Baker, LA |
| 1982 | A. Dawson, MON | D. Murphy, ATL | G. Maddox, PHI |
| 1983 | A. Dawson, MON | D. Murphy, ATL | W. McGee, SL |
| 1984 | D. Murphy, ATL | B. Dernier, CHI | A. Dawson, MON |
| 1985 | W. McGee, SL | D. Murphy, ATL | A. Dawson, MON |
| 1986 | T. Gwynn, SD | D. Murphy, ATL | W. McGee, SL |
| 1987 | E. Davis, CIN | T. Gwynn, SD | A. Dawson, CHI |
| 1988 | A. Van Slyke, PIT | E. Davis, CIN | A. Dawson, CHI |
| 1989 | A. Van Slyke, PIT | E. Davis, CIN | T. Gwynn, SD |
| 1990 | A. Van Slyke, PIT | T. Gwynn, SD | B. Bonds, PIT |
| 1991 | B. Bonds, PIT | T. Gwynn, SD | A. Van Slyke, PIT |
| 1992 | B. Bonds, PIT | L. Walker, MON | A. Van Slyke, PIT |
| 1993 | B. Bonds, SF | L. Walker, MON | M. Grissom, MON |
| 1994 | B. Bonds, SF | D. Lewis, SF | M. Grissom, MON |
| 1995 | R. Mondesi, LA | S. Finley, SD | M. Grissom, CIN |
| 1996 | B. Bonds, SF | M. Grissom, ATL | S. Finley, SD |
| 1997 | R. Mondesi, LA | B. Bonds, SF | L. Walker, COL |