Baltimore Orioles: Gold Gloves Everywhere

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Today, the finalists for the 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Award were announced. The Baltimore Orioles’ superb defense was well represented as three Baltimore players were named as finalists for the American League: Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy, and Nick Markakis.

The Gold Glove Award is given to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each position in the American League and National League. By this definition, each of these three Orioles deserve to win a Gold Glove.

Adam Jones dazzled fans with his plays in the field all year long. One of his most memorable plays came against the Rays late in the season on August 25th when he not only jumped up to rob a home run over the left center field wall, but he also had the arm strength to throw out the base runner trying to tag up from first base.

Playing 155 games in center field (153 games starting in center field), Jones was able to maintain a .984 fielding percentage with seven assists and three double plays turned.

J.J. Hardy had another strong season as shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles. With a .978 fielding percentage and 99 double plays turned, Hardy made a strong case to win his third-consecutive Gold Glove Award.

With only 13 errors committed in 1257 innings played at shortstop, Hardy very well might win himself another Gold Glove.

Nick Markakis had another spectacular season in right field. The 2014 season is his second-straight season without committing an error. To put that into retrospect, Markakis has not committed an error in the last 304 games he has played as an Oriole.

Markakis always seems to make great reads on the ball when playing in right field, allowing him to make those great diving catches countless times throughout the season.

His accurate throws in from the outfield are vital to the success of the Orioles’ defense as he made 11 throwing assists in 2014.

These three players are the best examples for what Orioles baseball is all about as they play well both in the field and with their bats. And as long as the Orioles organization can reach a deal with Markakis for a new contract, these three will continue to amaze Orioles fans with their gloves for years to come.