Cubs' Heyward, Rizzo win Gold Gloves
NEW YORK - First baseman Anthony Rizzo and right fielder Jason Heyward from the World Series champion Chicago Cubs have won Gold Glove awards.
The honors for fielding excellence were announced Tuesday by Rawlings.
This marks the first Rawlings Gold Glove Award for a Cub since second baseman Darwin Barney won the award in 2012. The Cubs have multiple award winners for the first time since 2005, when pitcher Greg Maddux and first baseman Derrek Lee were honored. The Cubs have two position players honored in the same year for the first time since 1988 when second baseman Ryne Sandberg and outfielder Andre Dawson earned the award.
Heyward has won his fourth-career Rawlings Gold Glove Award, his third in a row and his first with the Cubs. He previously won in 2012 and 2014 with the Atlanta Braves and in 2015 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Heyward is the third outfielder in franchise history to earn the award, joining two-time winner Andre Dawson (1987 and 1988) and Bob Dernier in 1984. Heyward is the youngest outfielder to earn the award in franchise history.
Rizzo has won the first Rawlings Gold Glove Award of his career. He is only the third first baseman in franchise history to earn this award, joining four-time winner Mark Grace (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996) and two-time winner Derrek Lee (2005 and 2007). He is also the youngest first baseman to win the award in franchise history.
San Francisco star Buster Posey was picked at catcher in the National League, ending Yadier Molina's eight-year reign with St. Louis. Posey was joined by a pair of Giants teammates, the double-play combination of shortstop Brandon Crawford and second baseman Joe Panik.
Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won for the fourth consecutive year, and Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke took his third straight Gold Glove. Other winners in the NL were Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte and Pittsburgh left fielder Starling Marte.
Young shortstop Francisco Lindor from AL champion Cleveland was a first-time winner, along with Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland, Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler, New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner and Boston right fielder Mookie Betts.
Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez won his fourth Gold Glove in a row, Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel took his third straight and Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier repeated from last year.
Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was rewarded for the fifth time overall.