Cincinnati Reds Whiff in Gold Glove Voting

By Adam Hughes | Nov 4, 2014

Sep 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) fields a ball off the fence during the second inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

The losing ways of the 2014 Cincinnati Reds knew no boundaries, including the end of the regular season. On Tuesday, the slide continued when Major League Baseball announced this year’s Gold Glove winners and the Reds came up empty despite having finalists at three positions — Billy Hamilton in center field, Brandon Phillips at second base and Zack Cozart at shortstop.

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As we outlined in October, the three Reds faced stiff competition from their counterparts around the league, and Phillips also suffered due to a lack of playing time. The veteran second baseman has already won four Gold Gloves, but with just 121 games played in 2014, there was no way he could hold off Colorado Rockies youngster D.J. LeMahieu.

Hamilton was bested in center by Juan Lagares of the New York Mets even though the Red played in 40 more games. Lagares probably was a better fielder when he played, and that, coupled with the Mets’ higher profile, carried the day.

Cozart had the best season in the field of any Reds defender, but the Atlanta Braves Andrelton Simmons does everything well, from the routine to the spectacular, and he took home the hardware. Unfortunately for Cozart, his bat is so weak that he needs all the help he can get just to keep his job. The Reds may not be actively looking for a replacement shortstop, but it will be a lot easier to justify jettisoning a guy without a Gold Glove than one with.

Cincinnati still has a chance at two awards before winter hits us in earnest; Johnny Cueto for Cy Young and Hamilton for Rookie of the Year.

If 2014 holds true to form, we’ll soon have two more losses to lament.

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