News
Kouz, Gonzo could scoop up awards
Padres infielders strong candidates for Gold Gloves
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
11/09/09 7:26 PM EST
SAN DIEGO -- Can third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff win his first Gold Glove? Can his teammate, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, win his second in as many years?
The Padres will find out soon enough if they will have any Gold Glove winners to honor Wednesday when the National League honorees are announced.
Kouzmanoff set a single-season record for NL third basemen with a .990 fielding percentage. Kouzmanoff has come a long way defensively. He had 22 errors in his 2007 rookie season. He had 11 errors last season and only three in 2009. "We're seeing every play is being made," San Diego manager Bud Black said during the season. "... and by that I mean the ball in the hole he's making, the ball down the line, the chopper he has to charge and take with his bare hand, the throw to second on a double play, the throws from different angles -- he's making them all." In September, the Padres overnighted a DVD to the other 15 NL managers with a note that supports the team's push for Kouzmanoff to win a Gold Glove Award. The DVD, produced by Sandy Gonzalez, the Padres' video producer/editor, covers one minute and 15 seconds and shows several plays that Kouzmanoff has made at third base this season. Adrian Gonzalez, who won a Gold Glove last season, had another strong season at first base. His fielding percentage was .995, tying him for fourth in the league. Second baseman David Eckstein could get some votes after leading all NL second baseman in fielding percentage (.997). He had the fewest errors (two) among NL second basemen.Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
