Maddux wins record 18th Gold Glove

Nov 5, 2008 - 10:52 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- If Greg Maddux does decide to call it a career, he will end up leaving baseball with another piece of hardware.

Maddux, who reportedly has considered retiring, won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday, headlining the group of National League winners.

A future Hall of Famer, the 42-year-old Maddux has won the Gold Glove for pitchers 18 times in the last 19 years, losing out only to Mike Hampton in 2003.

While Maddux simply added to his collection, five players won a Gold Glove for the first time Wednesday, including Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino.

"Winning a Gold Glove is a tremendous honor for me in what was already an amazing season with us winning the World Series," said Victorino, who posted a .994 fielding percentage. "I take a lot of pride in playing defense, and to get the recognition of the managers and coaches around the league is a great compliment."

Other first-time winners were St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins joined Victorino as Gold Glove winners from the World Series champion Phillies. It was the second career Gold Glove for Rollins, who won his first last year.

"It is an honor any time you are recognized as one of the best defensive players in the league," said Rollins, who posted a .988 fielding percentage, the league's best among shortstops.

"It's something I work very hard at and I understand the importance of playing on both sides of the ball. I would like to thank all the managers and coaches for believing that I am one of the best."

The New York Mets also had multiple Gold Glove winners in third baseman David Wright, who collected his second, and outfielder Carlos Beltran, who received his third.

Maddux broke the all-time record for career Gold Gloves last year when he collected his 17th, passing third baseman Brooks Robinson and pitcher Jim Kaat.

A 23-year veteran, Maddux spent most of this past season with the Padres before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 19. The righthander finished with an 8-13 record and a 4.22 ERA, posting a .961 fielding percentage.

Maddux officially filed for free agency Tuesday, and his agent - Scott Boras - has stated that the four-time Cy Young Award winner is pondering retirement.

Molina, 26, threw out 32 percent of attempted base-stealers this past season, the second-best mark in the NL.

Gonzalez, 26, finished second among NL first basemen with a career-best .996 fielding percentage.

Phillips led all NL second basemen with a .990 fielding percentage. He became the first Reds second baseman to lead the league in fielding percentage in consecutive seasons since Bret Boone (1995-97).

McLouth, 27, posted a .997 fielding percentage to become the first Pirates player to win a Gold Glove since Jay Bell in 1993.

"Hopefully, I've proven to people I can play center (field) every day, and I think I did," he said. "There's still a lot of work that I would like to do."

The Mets were third in the National League with a .986 fielding percentage, but still finished behind the Phillies in the East Division for the second straight season.

"Individual awards are nice, but for me, my entire focus is on the team and getting back to the playoffs," Wright said.

Beltran is now tied with shortstop Rey Ordonez for the second-most Gold Gloves in Mets history, ranking behind Keith Hernandez, who won six of them at first base.

"I take a lot of pride in being a complete player," Beltran said. "Even on the days when I don't get a hit, I feel I can make a difference in the field."