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Tulo Wuz Robbed
2007-11-06 14:39
by Mark T.R. Donohue

Jimmy Rollins, and not Troy Tulowitzki, won the National League Gold Glove at shortstop. We expected that Tulowitzki wouldn't win, particularly given that the votes were in well in advance of the postseason (and for a lot of coaches, likely before the Rockies' winning run even began). It doesn't really matter, in the grand scheme of things -- anyone who watched the National League playoffs even a little bit knows that Tulowitzki was the best in the circuit, and probably the best in the majors. The biggest difference between the 2006 Rockies and the 2007 edition was a defense that was able to struggle its way into the top third in zone rating at Coors Field, something a lot of stat guys thought might be impossible. Tulowitzki's part in making this come about cannot be understated. What's more, he's the emotional leader of the defending National League champs. I don't begrudge Rollins his award -- but I'm willing to flat-out guarantee that it is the last one he will win, barring a change in leagues.

I'm hearing a lot of talk connecting Alex Rodriguez to the Mets, and here is my question to you -- how do you re-align that infield? Personally I would put Jose Reyes at second, since he's played there before and of the three is certainly the most physically suited to the position. Then I'd leave Wright at third and put A-Rod back at shortstop where he belongs. I suspect, though, that the Mets would try Wright at second, which strikes me as a bad idea -- but then again, if that works, why wouldn't the Rockies' plan to make Ian Stewart a second baseman? This is all Chase Utley's fault, and you know how I feel about him -- the Research Department was theorizing earlier on about a longshot Phillies A-Rod signing, leading to the Greatest Infield of All Time, and I wasn't having any of it. You can take all of Chase Utley's numbers and shove them. If I'm a manager in a must-win game and I need to get Utley out, I have complete confidence that I can get it done. Put A-Rod and Utley in the same lineup and you could set an all-time record for postseason GIDP's.

Comments
2007-11-06 14:57:38
1.   Sushirabbit
Yeah. Robbed.

I like Rollins and he's really good, but Tulo should have won it this year.

2007-11-06 14:59:12
2.   Bluebleeder87
I have to admit I haven't seen much of Rollins to even debate it, but I sure as hell know Tulowitzki wow'd me a few times the last few weeks of the season.
2007-11-06 15:44:35
3.   Xeifrank
East coast bias.
vr, Xei
2007-11-06 15:45:14
4.   StolenMonkey86
Two easy reasons Jimmy Rollins won the gold glove:
1) Bad research (from MLB.com):
Rollins' .985 fielding percentage led all shortstops, and he made 11 errors in a career-high 1,441 1/3 innings
Tulo had a .987 fielding percentage, and Vizquel had a .986.

2) Bad stats.
If you're interested in meaningful defensive stats, the Fielding Bible had Tulo leading by far this year at +37, where Rollins was at +7. You could even look at Range Factor and see Rollins at 4.41 and Tulo at 5.39! BP's Rate 2 gives Rollins 109 and Tulo 120, and even good old Zone Rating gave Tulo a 2nd place .866 to Rollins middle of the pack .824 (ZR loves Vizquel).

3) No love for the Unassisted Triple Play. No player that has turned one of these plays has ever won a gold glove.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unassisted_triple_play

2007-11-06 15:45:29
5.   StolenMonkey86
4) inability to count
2007-11-06 21:21:00
6.   BruceR
With all of the talk about the Rockies' great defense (and the talk is appropriate), it seems preposterous that not one Rockie won a GG. Tulo obviously, as pointed out in 4 and chronicled else where. Also Helton -- Lee made seven errors and had a .994 fielding percentage; Helton, two errors and a .999 fielding percentage.

I agree with 3 .

2007-11-07 02:00:11
7.   ibleedbloo
the real sham(e) will be if J. Rol gets an MVP to match the gold glove. I expect some voters were trying to give Rollins some credit for a good season after voting for Holliday for MVP.

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