Gold glove award adds to Zimmerman's superb year

By Dave Sheinin

WASHINGTON

It was defense that first drew the Washington Nationals to a 20-year-old University of Virginia third baseman named Ryan Zimmerman.

It was defense that got him compared to Brooks Robinson before he had played a single pro game. And made him a highlight-reel fixture once he arrived in 2005.

Ultimately, it was defense that brought him the most significant recognition of his career Wednesday when the Kellam High graduate and face of the Nationals franchise, was awarded a Gold Glove as the National League's best defensive player at his position this season.

"To hear this news and to win something like this, it was very exciting for me and my family," Zimmerman said in a conference call Wednesday afternoon. "It's a huge honor."

In giving the award to Zimmerman, the voters - NL managers and coaches - undoubtedly voted with their eyes: Zimmerman seemed to make spectacular plays on an almost nightly basis, and he led all big leaguers, unofficially, in appearances on the "Web Gems" segment of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight."

But in recognizing Zimmerman, 25, the voters may have also taken some advanced statistical analysis into account.

By traditional measures, Zimmerman's case was thin: His 17 errors - most of them caused by wayward throws - ranked third-most among NL third basemen, resulting in a mediocre fielding percentage of .963 that ranked just 12th. San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff set an all-time record for the position with a .990 fielding percentage.

But Zimmerman was more durable than Kouzmanoff, having played in 16 more games in 2009 and handled 148 more total chances, and had far better range - as evidenced by a stat known as "ultimate zone rating" (UZR) that is compiled at Fangraphs.com and is considered the most sophisticated measure of defense available.

"I just try to get to every single ball that comes my way," said Zimmerman, who won the Gold Glove at third base a year after another Hampton Roads product - Chesapeake's David Wright of the Mets - had won it. "I think in the past that's hurt me a little bit. When you try to make every single play, it hurts the team more than it helps it. But this year I kind of learned when it's smart to try to make a play, and when it's not."

For Zimmerman, then, a tumultuous 2009 season - in which the both the Nationals' general manager (Jim Bowden) and manager (Manny Acta) were dismissed - was bookended by significant individual achievements: the five-year $45 million contract extension he signed in April, and Wednesday's award.

In between, Zimmerman was named to his first all-star team and put up the best offensive numbers of his career. That's why he's among the favorites to win a Silver Slugger as the top-hitting third baseman in the league when those awards come out today.

Zimmerman, whose toughest competition for the Silver Slugger may come from fellow Virginia Beach product and Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds (First Colonial High), had career highs in homers (33), batting average (.292), on-base percentage (.364) and slugging percentage (.525).

Other winners

Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins earned his third consecutive Gold Glove and Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino won for the second straight time.

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also were second-time winners announced Wednesday.

Adam Wainwright became the first Cardinals pitcher to win since Joaquin Andujar in 1984 and succeeded Greg Maddux, who won his record 18th Gold Glove last year. Wainwright also is a favorite for the NL Cy Young Award after going 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA.

Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson overcame a broken left wrist sustained in August 2008 and won for the fourth time, taking over from Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips even though Hudson lost playing time by September to teammate Ronnie Belliard. Hudson didn't make a single postseason start for Los Angeles, then became a free agent.

Houston outfielder Michael Bourn and Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp also were first-time winners - and gave the NL three center fielders in the Gold Glove outfield. Kemp had 14 assists, up from two in 2007.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.