Mays leads balloting for 50th anniversary Gold Glove team

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) -Willie Mays led a nostalgia wave – and all vote-getters – Monday in balloting to determine a 50th anniversary Gold Glove team.
One week into the season, about 50,000 ballots had been received in what sponsor Rawlings is calling a “summer of glove.” Voting to determine the top 50 defensive players in the last 50 years ends June 19 and the team will be announced in mid-July.
Mays, a member of the original Gold Glove team in 1957, had 34,995 votes to also lead outfielders. Third baseman Brooks Robinson was second overall at 30,962 and outfielder Roberto Clemente third at 30,511.
Of the 10 active players on the ballot, the only leader was pitcher Greg Maddux, tied for the most Gold Gloves with Robinson and Jim Kaat at 16. Ken Griffey Jr. had the lead for the third outfield spot.
The tightest races were at first base where Keith Hernandez (17,127) had a 350-vote lead over Don Mattingly (16,777) and at second base where Joe Morgan (13,360) had the early lead but with Roberto Alomar (11,039), Ryne Sandberg (10,653) and Bill Mazeroski (10,000) not far behind.
Shortstop Ozzie Smith (28,960) had the biggest cushion over runner-up Omar Vizquel (5,874), while catcher Johnny Bench (29,454) had more than twice the votes of second-place Ivan Rodriguez (14,194). Robinson had a big lead over Mike Schmidt (8,359) at third base.
Maddux (25,342) had a big lead over long-retired Bob Gibson (15,096) and Kaat (9,555).
Griffey (12,804) was third in outfield balloting, followed by Jim Edmonds (11,306) and Andruw Jones (9,453).
The ballot includes 18 outfielders, six players at each infield position, five catchers and three pitchers. Fans may vote online at www.RawlingsGoldGlove.com, at participating sporting goods retailers, by mobile device and text message, or via the mail.