I am deeply disappointed by how little attention Darwin Barney has gotten for his defense and that is even by his fans. There is hardly anything out there on the Internet, but you would think Chicago Cubs fans would be all over something as positive as Darwin this season. Let me begin with he broke the record for Cubs/ National league 2nd Baseman on Saturday by passing Ryno with his 124th error free game in a row. I don't have cable at the moment or good radio reception, so I follow on the Internet. Yes he doesn't have the offensive skill set like Ryno or even his chief competitor in the gold glove race (more on that in a little bit). But he has worked his butt off to be the best 2nd baseman he can be and has really come into his own this season.

Let's take a look at some of his numbers. He has played in 1108 full innings and had 645 total chances to be involved. Add in the 277 putouts and 366 assists and 85 double plays. What does he have out of that is a grand total of 2 errors. Obviously before this long streak that is 125 and counting. Now lets take a look at Brandon Phillips numbers in those same categories. He has played a total of 1092 full innings and had 561 total chances. Okay a little less being out there and chances, so sounds like a fairly level playing field. Yet he has only had 210 putouts and 347 assists and 65 double plays. Yet Brandon Phillips had just gotten his 5th error on the season. Not saying Brandon isn't a good defensive player, but come on this is Darwin's gold glove this year no question about it. Major league record in a year is 141 by Placido Polanco of the Tigers in one year and extended to 186 over a 3 year period with the end/beginning of years around it. Last year for Brandon were 721 total chances, 306 putouts and 409 assists and 94 double plays with 6 errors. Year before was 703 total chances, 281 putouts and 419 assists and 95 double plays with only 3 errors. I'll leave it to some of you others in reference to other stats that dig deeper into defensive value.

Awards are voted by the managers and coaches. Obviously Cubs can't vote on their own, but it is some of the other teams that don't see Darwin enough. Can they really overlook Darwin's achievements? With a defending champion like Brandon not to mention his offensive skill set. Yes unbelievable that can even play a part in a defensive award, but it is a popularity contest of who would you like on your team as your 2nd baseman not the best 2nd baseman defensively. So can understand that something really good needs to be done to knock off the defending champion, but isn't that exactly what Darwin has done by outplaying the champion this year not to mention that little streak of 125 error less games and counting? Looking at the past champions, they both deserve it as most champions had closer to double digit errors or something even hit that mark which includes Roberto Alomar and Ryno shown at: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_gg2b.shtml. So unless Darwin blows up to the end the year, I can not see any reason for Darwin Barney to not be coming up with a Golden Glove this year. If he doesn't it would be highway robbery as how can you not give it a guy who is as golden as he has been defensively.