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The day started out strong for Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo when his contract option was picked up for the 2020 season. It finished even stronger as Rizzo was named the winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove for National League first baseman.
This was the third time that Rizzo won the Gold Glove for defensive excellence. He also won the award last season and in 2016. He also won the Platinum Glove Award given for the best defensive player at any position in 2016.
Rizzo was interviewed on ESPN2 after winning the award, where he said he takes a lot of pride in his defensive ability and is honored to win these awards. Rizzo added that his dad is the biggest critic of his defense and that his dad was always working with him on his defense growing up. Rizzo was also asked about new Cubs manager David Ross and he said that Ross was his biggest mentor and that for him, Ross being named Cubs manager was a bigger deal than winning the Gold Glove.
Yu Darvish offered his congratulations, but (jokingly) thought he deserved some of the credit:
You know how many times I had to run to cover first base for him to win the gold glove?
— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) November 4, 2019
I’m 60 feet away from first base, but him? He’s only 10 feet away.
But congratulations! #cubs #everybodyin #Joking https://t.co/9NLzKUYESz
Jason Heyward was also one of the three finalists for the Gold Glove in right field, but the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger took home the award this year. Heyward will have to wait until at least next year to try to add to the five Gold Gloves he’s already won in his career.
The complete winners of the Rawlings Gold Gove Awards are as follows:
National League:
C: J.T. Realmuto Phi
1B Anthony Rizzo CUBS
2B Kolten Wong StL
3B Nolan Arenado Col
SS Nick Ahmed Ari
LF David Peralta Ari
CF Lorenzo Cain Mil
RF Cody Bellinger LAD
P Zack Greinke Ari (although he finished the year with Hou in the AL)
American League
C Roberto Pérez Cle
1B Matt Olson Oak
2B Yolmer Sánchez CWS
3B Matt Chapman Oak
SS Francisco Lindor Cle
LF Alex Gordon KC
CF Kevin Kiermaier TB
RF Mookie Betts Bos
P Mike Leake Sea (Traded to the Diamondbacks in July, so Arizona sent one Gold Glove pitcher away to the American League and added the AL Gold Glove winner on the same day.)