P: Greg Maddux, LAD (18th Gold Glove)
C: Yadier Molina, STL (1st)
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, SD (1st)
2B: Brandon Phillips, CIN (1st)
3B: David Wright, NYM (2nd)
SS: Jimmy Rollins, PHI (2nd)
OF: Nate McLouth, PIT (1st)
OF: Carlos Beltran, NYM (3rd)
OF: Shane Victorino, PHI (1st)

This isn’t the most horrible list, but there are a couple horrible mistakes. 

Nate McLouth didn’t deserve a gold glove at all.  He’s a corner outfielder playing severely out of position in center for the Pirates, and was the absolute worst defensive center fielder in the game this year.  According to the +/- system he was 40 plays worse than the average center fielder, and Beyond the Boxscore measured him at 16 runs worse than the average center fielder; both dead last.

Brandon Phillips is a fantastic defender at second base, but it is outrageous that Chase Utley didn’t win the award.  On the +/- Utleywas good for 47 more plays made than the average second baseman, which completely dwarfs every other player at the position, including Phillips at +17.  To remain consistent, Beyond the Boxscore calculated that he saved 26 more runs than the an average second baseman, which is also better than anyone else.

Adrian Gonzalez at first base was another awful pick.  +/- had him at -6 plays, and Beyond the Boxscore calculated -4 runs.  Compare that to Albert Pujols (+20/+20) and Lance Berkman (+18/+17).  David Wright also got a bit lucky (+3/+2) compared to Chipper Jones (+9/+14) and others.

The rest of the picks are justifiable, though the case could easily be made against Shane Victorino. 

The lesson is this: Don’t put too much stock in the Gold Glove system.  Coaches and managers vote, so they’re going to go with the guys making the spectacular plays, not necessarily the best defenders.  The best defenders make the tough plays look routine.

I look forward to shaking my head at the American League results.