For some, winning six Gold Gloves at a position may be enough.
When it comes to Mookie Betts, being an elite defensive outfielder can only be further enhanced by being an elite defensive infielder as well.
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Betting on star players is difficult under any circumstances. When Betts made the full-time transition from right field to shortstop, a move essentially unprecedented in modern baseball, few thought he would approach a Gold Glove-level position.
Betts had little experience at shortstop and had previously played there out of necessity. Additionally, the shortstop position is widely considered to be the most difficult spot to play on the diamond.
People scoffed at the idea that Betts could come close to winning a Gold Glove as a shortstop. Well… those skeptics will all be sitting on the sidelines for the reality that Betts was named a Gold Glove finalist on Wednesday, along with teammate Miguel Rojas.
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Before the Game 3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Dave Roberts talked about how special this move was for Betts, who is both an elite shortstop and a selfless teammate.
“I think Mookie Betts is the only person on this planet who believed he would be a part of this conversation. And that’s never happened before,” Roberts said. “I can’t even do that – it’s unbelievable. To be in this position where I didn’t have the confidence last year to play him at shortstop and push him out to right field to help our baseball club, wondering if it was the right decision to put him at shortstop, and now being a Gold Glove finalist and being such a reliable presence, obviously I’m speechless.”
“And he feels very justified in winning a Gold Glove. So it’s kind of an addition to his hardware. It’s pretty amazing. Hats off to Mookie.”
Roberts then criticized Rojas. Rojas is a veteran infielder who has been asked to play on the diamond for the team as both a starter and reserve the past two seasons.
“And (Rojas) is a finalist. And I think Miggy Roe should definitely win this Gold Glove. His ability to catch the ball in any position, his sure hands, his spectacular play.”
“I think they both deserve it, yes.”
Photo credit: Jonathan Hu-Imagn Images
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