In your opinion, did JJ Hardy, the SS of the Orioles, get snubbed for the Gold-glove award?

Question

As an Angel apologist, although I'm happy for Aybar winning the prestigious gold-glove award, I can't say he deserved it.

In the few Orioles games I've watched this year, I was impressed with JJ Hardy's glovework, mainly the way he made tough plays look so easy. In 129 games, Hardy had only committed 6 errors, compiling a .990 fielding percentage. By comparison, Erick Aybar had 13 errors and a .980 fielding percentage.

While it's true that Aybar has turned more double plays than did Hardy, such a stat is usually a by-product of having good teammates, not necessarily individual effort, generally speaking.

I just think Hardy got snubbed, big time. Does anyone agree with me, or are you indifferent towards this?

Answer 1

Oh boy! What a question.



Watching defense is so subjective.



Most MLB infielders, especially middle infielders are so talented that differences in style or execution to one watcher may be of no consequence to another equally perceptive watcher.



That said, I have noticed that when it comes down to who gets the Gold Glove, the difference between two fine defenders, is usually games played and batting average and offensive value.



A good or great defender must play at least 150 or more games to have his defensive abilities evaluated properly.



JJ is a fine defender, but a team needs his glove every day,not just 75 or 80% of the time.

Answer 2

Last year all #'s pointed to Alexi Ramirez, but they decided to reverse the list and get the candidates off of the bottom and enough people recognized some guy on the Yankees and must have voted for him.



While managers and coaches are involved in baseball, there are so many games that they probably only see highlight reels of players outside of the 11 - 19 games (since they aren't allowed to vote for their own).



So, in a way, they are the people least qualified (still ahead of the fans though)

Answer 3

Indifferent really.



I watched Hardy with the Brewers and found he lacked range, which probably accounts for the low errors and the low no. of dp's And I have never seen Hardy in a highlight reel...ever.



I rate Elvis Andrus higher, but Elvis lead the league in errors.



When a player, Aybar or other starts winning 7-8 Gold Gloves, I might pay attention...other wise it doesn't mean much.

Answer 4

I find it ironic that the Gold Glove is the most error-prone award in professional sports when it comes to not picking the right guy. You have your example and it can be argued. But someone tell me how Matt Kemp wins this supposedly purely defensive award over Chris Young.

Answer 5

It comes down to Hardy and Peralta. They both deserved it over Aybar.

Answer 6

What about Jhonny Peralta? He only made 8 errors all year and wasn't even in the top three.



But no I don't think Hardy got robbed, it could have gone either way.

Answer 7

The GG isn't that prestigious anymore.