Third baseman Evan Longoria became the second member of the Tampa Bay Rays in as many years to win a Gold Glove, joining first baseman Carlos Peña, who won the award in 2008.
The 2009 American League Gold Glove team was announced Tuesday, and Longoria became the youngest American League player to win a Gold Glove since Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez in 2001. Chavez was 23. Longoria turned 24 on Oct. 7.
“It’s the one award that I’ve wanted to win since I started pro ball,” Longoria said in a statement released by the team. “I take a lot of pride in my defense, so this award is very special to me. It’s humbling to have your name associated with some of the great players who have won a Gold Glove, especially the third basemen. I would like to thank the managers and coaches who voted for me, and I’d also like to thank Carlos Peña. We all know how good he is. He probably saved me at least five errors this year, so without him the award might not have been possible.”
Longoria was one of five third basemen in the major leagues to start 150 games. His .970 fielding percentage was second behind Melvin Mora’s .971. He led all major league third baseman by starting 43 double plays and was second in the AL in assists with 302.
Since 1990, only seven players have won a Gold Glove at a younger age than Longoria:
Player, Team Year(s) Age(s)
Ken Griffey, Jr., SEA 1990-91-92-93 20-21-22-23
Ivan Rodriguez, TEX 1992-93-94-95 20-21-22-23
Andruw Jones, ATL 1998-99-2000 21-22-23
Roberto Alomar, TOR 1991 23
Scott Rolen, PHI 1998 23
Eric Chavez, OAK 2001 23
Jeff Francoeur, ATL 2007 23
Evan Longoria, TB 2009 23
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