Dewan felt that statistics in addition to visual observation and subjective judgment are integral in determining the best defensive players. The Fielding Bible Award attempts to address the deficiencies Dewan saw with the Gold Glove Award, previously the only organized subjective judgment of fielding. The voting for the Fielding Bible Awards are for the entire MLB, and not separated between the National League and the American League; playing defense was not perceived to be any different between the two leagues. The voters select the best defensive player at each position with the best player given 10 points, the second best nine points and so forth.[9] The specific outfield positions are picked individually instead of choosing three generic outfielders.[10] Each voter selects 10 players for each position. The candidates for each position are defined beforehand to eliminate the possibility of a vote going to player who was not really playing the position.[9] (Rafael Palmeiro won the 1999 AL Gold Glove at first base despite being primarily a designated hitter and appearing in only 28 games as a first baseman that season.[11]) The voting at each position is summarized and published, identifying who everybody voted for. This aims to instill accountability among the voters and provide insight into the process to the public.[9]
There have been some major differences between the player selections made for the Fielding Bible Awards and the Gold Glove Awards.[12][13][14] The Boston Globe writer Peter Abraham said the Fielding Bible Awards "are far more accurate (and accountable)" than the Gold Glove awards since statistics are used along with the opinions of the expert panel. The Gold Gloves are selected by managers and coaches that may have seen a player as few as six times all season.[15] Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times said the votes for the Gold Gloves rely largely on a player's past reputation.[2] Derek Jeter, winner of multiple Gold Gloves, believes that many defensive factors cannot be quantified.[16] Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star noted that people "point out the primitive nature of defensive stats — even if that's more perception now than reality."[17]
Year |
C |
1B |
2B |
3B |
SS |
LF |
CF |
RF |
P |
Ref |
2006 |
Rodríguez, IvánIván Rodríguez |
Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols |
Hudson, OrlandoOrlando Hudson |
Beltré, AdriánAdrián Beltré |
Everett, AdamAdam Everett |
Crawford, CarlCarl Crawford |
Beltrán, CarlosCarlos Beltrán |
Suzuki, IchiroIchiro Suzuki |
Maddux, GregGreg Maddux |
[18] |
2007 |
Molina, YadierYadier Molina |
Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols (2) |
Hill, AaronAaron Hill |
Feliz, PedroPedro Feliz |
Tulowitzki, TroyTroy Tulowitzki |
Byrnes, EricEric Byrnes |
Jones, AndruwAndruw Jones |
Ríos, AlexAlex Ríos |
Santana, JohanJohan Santana |
[19] |
2008 |
Molina, YadierYadier Molina (2) |
Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols (3) |
Phillips, BrandonBrandon Phillips |
Beltré, AdriánAdrián Beltré (2) |
Rollins, JimmyJimmy Rollins |
Crawford, CarlCarl Crawford (2) |
Beltrán, CarlosCarlos Beltrán (2) |
Gutiérrez, FranklinFranklin Gutiérrez |
Rogers, KennyKenny Rogers |
[20] |
2009 |
Molina, YadierYadier Molina (3) |
Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols (4) |
Hill, AaronAaron Hill (2) |
Zimmerman, RyanRyan Zimmerman |
Wilson, JackJack Wilson |
Crawford, CarlCarl Crawford (3) |
Gutiérrez, FranklinFranklin Gutiérrez |
Suzuki, IchiroIchiro Suzuki (2) |
Buehrle, MarkMark Buehrle |
[21] |
2010 |
Molina, YadierYadier Molina (4) |
Barton, DaricDaric Barton |
Utley, ChaseChase Utley |
Longoria, EvanEvan Longoria |
Tulowitzki, TroyTroy Tulowitzki (2) |
Gardner, BrettBrett Gardner |
Bourn, MichaelMichael Bourn |
Suzuki, IchiroIchiro Suzuki (3) |
Buehrle, MarkMark Buehrle (2) |
[22] |
2011 |
Wieters, MattMatt Wieters |
Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols (5) |
Pedroia, DustinDustin Pedroia |
Beltré, AdriánAdrián Beltré (3) |
Tulowitzki, TroyTroy Tulowitzki (3) |
Gardner, BrettBrett Gardner (2) |
Jackson, AustinAustin Jackson |
Upton, JustinJustin Upton |
Buehrle, MarkMark Buehrle (3) |
[23] |