When Torii Hunter walked out the door this past off-season, so did the perennial Gold Glove award for the Minnesota Twins organization. Hunter has established himself as a solid fielder to writers and coaches around the league, and has become a consistent name on the list each November.
This year, no Twin was a given to win one of the honors, but Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer were definitely top candidates.
Morneau did not make the cut, Carlos Pena instead took the honors at first base and became the first ever Ray to win one of the awards. The second part of the M&M combination did receive the honor as the top fielder at his position, ensuring the Twins another year with a winner, and adding another award to his cluttered shelf.
The Gold Glove is Mauer's first of hopefully many, and he adds it to his Batting Title award for his second award thus far in 2008.
Other winners included:
P: Mike Mussina
1B: Carlos Pena, Rays
2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
3B: Adrian Beltre, Mariners
SS: Michael Young, Rangers
OF: Torii Hunter, Angels
OF: Grady Sizemore, Indians
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
[As Joe pointed out to us all, Mauer has racked up $50,000 in bonuses thus far with his All-Star selection and now this honor.]
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