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Maddux claims 18th Gold Glove

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Greg Maddux throws to first base after fielding a single off the bat of the Colorado Rockies’ Clint Barmes in the seventh inning of the Rockies’ 1-0 victory in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 14. The 42-year-old pitcher won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux won his record 18th Gold Glove at the age of 42 on Wednesday.

Outfielder Shane Victorino of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies was among five first-time winners in the National League.

Slick shortstop Jimmy Rollins joined Victorino from the Phillies, winning for the second consecutive season. The New York Mets also had two winners: Outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright, both of whom repeated.

Other first-time honorees for defensive excellence were St Louis catcher Yadier Molina, San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips and Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McLouth.

The Houston Astros, who committed 16 fewer errors than any other major league team, did not have a winner.

US sports equipment company Rawlings has presented Gold Gloves annually since 1957. Managers and coaches vote on players in their own leagues before the regular season ends, but they may not select members of their own teams.

Pondering retirement after 355 wins, Maddux has been the National League recipient for pitchers every year since 1990 with the exception of 2003, when Mike Hampton interrupted the streak.

Maddux, a four-time pitcher of the year, may have lost a yard on that pinpoint, tailing fastball, but his reflexes are still quick as a cat’s on the mound. At 1.8m and 77kg, his simple windup has always left him in perfect fielding position after each pitch.
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