For the second time in his short career, Manny Machado has been named the American League’s best defensive third baseman, taking home another Rawlings Gold Glove award last night. Machado won the award over fellow finalists Evan Longoria and Adrian Beltre.
He won despite a career-high 21 errors (19 at 3B, 2 at SS), showing that the voters put plenty of stock in the fact that Machado just gets to balls that other third basemen can only watch roll into the outfield. Manny was the first O’s hot cornerman (a term I think I just made up) to win the honor since Brooks Robinson, and now he joins Brooks as the only Birds to win the award two or more times at the position. Brooks, of course, won 16 straight from 1960-75.
While it was a frustrating season overall in Birdland, Machado’s breakout was certainly a high point. Our friends over at Bird’s Eye View expressed a thought that went through my mind many times while watching the Birds slog through another losing streak in 2015:
Even in a non-winning season, watching Manny Machado play is worth the price of admission.
— Bird’s Eye View – O's Pod ⚾️ ????️ (@BirdsEyeViewBal) November 11, 2015
Machado was actually the only Birds GG finalist this year, breaking their streak of winning two or more for four straight seasons.
Congrats to Mr. Machado. That’s two. Here’s to Manny, Manny more (all in Baltimore, please!).
