A Fistful Not Enough

by Tyler Bleszinski on Nov 2, 2006 2:27 PM PST in News

Eric Chavez is done with his fistful and is now working on the second hand. He now has his sixth consecutive gold glove award at one of the most difficult positions to play in baseball.

How much these awards actually mean is debatable as Derek Jeter took the shortstop award instead of someone like Alex Gonzalez...

Mark Ellis, who had an absolutely remarkable season defensively, lost the award to Mark Grudzielanek of the Royals.

Still that makes Chavez one of the best defensive third baseman of all time, at least according to the gold glove awards (again, arguably an effective barometer). Only Buddy Bell and Brooks Robinson have won as many as Chavez in the AL.

Congrats to Eric Chavez. You have something to really shoot for next year, Chavy. You can leave no one between you and Brooks by winning a seventh.

Tweet Comment 75 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Congrats to Chavvy ...

Elli was deserving, but so was Grudz, the only pick I'll argue with is Jeter.

Wait a sec ... I mean, no, Ellis was robbed, so were Kotsay, Payton, Crosby (umm, yeah), Kendall, Swisher, Bradley and Scutaro (split the award with a tie)!

Another project of Devo's

by devo on Nov 2, 2006 2:25 PM PST reply actions

Chavy on ESPNEWS!!!

NOW!

by AsGirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:28 PM PST reply actions

Recap Please

I am at work and can't listen...

by SD Erik on Nov 2, 2006 2:30 PM PST up reply actions

Sure.

Yay for off days! :)

Re: Macha
He heard some grumblings halfway through the season... (didn't specify).
Some things that transpired publicly that don't need to come out. Guys were really unhappy with some things. Billy made the change... Looking forward to having a new manager.

Also mentioned that there were times during the season when he could have missed 6-8 weeks due to injury, but he was out there playing.

It was a really short interview.

by AsGirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:36 PM PST up reply actions

shiit

I don't have that channel anymore.

by sf drift king on Nov 2, 2006 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

I'm so glad that Chavez got his due...

and that GM's and Managers weren't swayed by the influence others were putting out there for Lowell and Crede.

Ellis was robbed - but I'm glad that he was robbed by a deserving Royal over some guy from a large market...

Congrats Chavez - now get that surgery - so you can add a Silver Slugger Award to all of those gold gloves ;-)

by SD Erik on Nov 2, 2006 2:28 PM PST reply actions

Congrats Chavvy!!!!

And while Jeter had one of the best hitting seasons I've ever seen, his glove is nothing remarkable.

But...congrats Chavvy!!!!

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:29 PM PST reply actions

Jeter's GG bugs me...

I will never understand how a guy can win a GG at shortstop when he's not even the best shortstop on his own team.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 3, 2006 8:29 AM PST up reply actions

Heh.

The A's success should surprise no one. They're a much better team than people give them credit for. -- Joe Morgan

by BubbaDude on Nov 3, 2006 7:25 PM PST up reply actions

Chavy

I'll be the first to admit, his play behind the plate has frustrated me at times during the year.

But when we take a step back and look at what he brings to the field, he saves a lot of runs for our pitchers. He's the glue to our infield.

Big Congrats dude!

by sf drift king on Nov 2, 2006 2:31 PM PST reply actions

Wait, Chavy played as Kendall

this year behind the plate? JK ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Nov 2, 2006 2:36 PM PST up reply actions

Umm...

Next to the plate?

by SuperBean on Nov 2, 2006 3:02 PM PST up reply actions

He's a Great Fielder BUT

...I think Ellis is the glue to the infield (especially given Crosby's frail status).

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Nov 2, 2006 3:34 PM PST up reply actions

this was chavvy's best defensive year

gold glove well deserved again!

but ellis was robbed! :(

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 2:31 PM PST reply actions

Its hard for me to say MaEl was robbed

since I never seen Grudzelanak play. It'll be interesting to hear what the so-called experts say about the selections.

by sf drift king on Nov 2, 2006 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

It was good to see Chavez win--

He had one hell of a year defensively. I wasn't sure if he deserved it last year, but this time, he definitely did.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 2, 2006 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

On Espn Radio

Erik Casillias just said that he despises the Gold Glove and that guys win on reputation alone - because Chavez and Jeter didn't deserve it.

He just grouped Chavez and his D with Jeter - AAAARRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

by SD Erik on Nov 2, 2006 2:32 PM PST reply actions

Erik Casillias

ESPN hires some real Gems.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Nov 2, 2006 4:25 PM PST up reply actions

Chavy was just on ESPNEWS

and was asked about the Macha situation. He basically said that there was a lot of stuff that went on behind the scenes that don't need to come out publicly with Macha...he said that it became apparenty that it was heading this way a while ago.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Nov 2, 2006 2:32 PM PST reply actions

He said he was also

really impressed with Crede and Lowell as his competition this year in particular and feels that the defensive depth at third base is the best it has possibly ever been.

Also said that Billy talked him into playing through his injuries to help the team defensively despite his offensive struggles.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Nov 2, 2006 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

<censored>

I hate missing things! :(

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

congrats, chav

<yawn>

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 2:34 PM PST reply actions

Just wait

I predict that several American League managers and coaches will die in mysterious goring incidents this off-season.

Some are sabermetricians.

by andeux on Nov 2, 2006 2:36 PM PST reply actions

I'm happy for Chavez

but he isn't even the most deserving recipient on his own team.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 2, 2006 2:36 PM PST reply actions

You talking about Antonio Perez

playing third?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Nov 2, 2006 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

huh? gold glove for perez or melhuse instead?

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

I think he meant

MaEl was more deserving at his position than Chavy was at his...
I could be wrong.

by AsGirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Correct.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 2, 2006 2:47 PM PST up reply actions

He really was though...

...Ellis deserved the GG, true, but Chavvy was one of the best who's ever played the position.

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Nov 2, 2006 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

Crede was just as good.

And Lowell was damn close. Both had about the same number of errors, and both actually had superior Zone Ratings.

But I guess I can't complain too much when the inertia that actually determines the award works in the A's favor.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 2, 2006 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

IMO, Inge was better than

Crede, Lowell, and Chavez. Inge was unreal this year.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 2, 2006 3:17 PM PST up reply actions

Inge was indeed remarkable.

But he made too many mistakes. If Inge had made 10 errors instead of 22, I think he would be the hands-down winner.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 2, 2006 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

I thought so too.

by IM4Oakgal on Nov 2, 2006 3:20 PM PST up reply actions

Crede and Inge were the favorites

If anybody listens to the excerpts, but as the fans in St. Louis, "Excerpts are Idiots". Congrats Chavvy.

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Nov 2, 2006 11:19 PM PST up reply actions

Congrats Chavvy!

You deserved it ^_^

by gilaASfan on Nov 2, 2006 2:39 PM PST reply actions

As much crap as I give Chavy for his bat,

it would be unfair if I didnt praise him for his glove...so congrats to him.
However, the fact that Ellis didnt get a GG is ridiculous. The man was a blackhole at second.
And, by the way, THE ANGELS SUCK. AHHHH... feels good to get that out, even in November.

by nfadil4 on Nov 2, 2006 2:42 PM PST reply actions

Someone needs to make a

hilight reel of all the freakin' awesome plays Chavy has made. I could watch that thing ALL DAY LONG.
Seriously.

by AsGirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:42 PM PST reply actions

thinking about chavvy's awesome plays

makes me REALLY miss baseball right now. sigh

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 2:45 PM PST up reply actions

One of my favorite

Chavy plays was from this year... totally an accident.

Det @ Oakland: Chavy and Kendall both run after a foul ball. Neither one really knows where the ball is. Chav looks at Kendall... Kendall looks at Chav. They both think they are going to collide. Kendall peels off and Chavy kind of just throws his glove out in front of him to catch it. Kendall gives Chav a death stare after.

Oh! Another one! Boston @ Oakland: They have the Papi shift on and Chav is playing SS. He runs about 300 yards for a foul ball, battling the sun the entire time. Gets turned around, loses the ball, catches it, then falls down.

Don't get me started on games against Texas. :)

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

Sigh

You mean this one?

And the one on AN Day 2006 was hawt too. I felt like running out on the field and hugging him.

by AsGirl on Nov 2, 2006 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Yes

That's one of them. I think I actually cried watching him that night.

I think Chavy should give this GG to Swish. Swish made Chav look good sometimes. Saved Chav a few errors, too.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

here are some great chavez plays of 2006

although i find it strange the A's site has more chavvy offensive plays than defensive plays on there.

click me

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 2:55 PM PST up reply actions

more A's top plays

here.

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 2:58 PM PST up reply actions

Ahhhhhhh

Chavy's Sweet Snag!!

Love that play!! Forgot about that stuff on the website!
Thanks!

*Nick Swisher is good. He is home-run-beltin', sideburn-wearin', nonstop-talkin', bear-hug-dispensin', self-proclaimin' good.*

by Swisherfor05ROY on Nov 2, 2006 2:58 PM PST up reply actions

Poor Mark

"Oakland has a way of bringing out the joy in the game." NYT, 9/22/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Nov 2, 2006 2:48 PM PST reply actions

Umm, Make that Derek

Although I think Deter Jeter sound goofier, so I think that should be his new name.

"Oakland has a way of bringing out the joy in the game." NYT, 9/22/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Nov 2, 2006 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

has a ring to it.

rip 2006, it was nice while it lasted.

by ak_A on Nov 2, 2006 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

Congrats yet again Chavy,

On a well deserved 6th Gold Glove

ELLIS, I HAVE ALREADY PLACED AN ORDER FOR YOUR GOLD GLOVE, YOU WILL HAVE IT ON OPENING NIGHT

ELLIS WAS ROBBED.

*Nick Swisher is good. He is home-run-beltin', sideburn-wearin', nonstop-talkin', bear-hug-dispensin', self-proclaimin' good.*

by Swisherfor05ROY on Nov 2, 2006 2:54 PM PST reply actions

Ellis has deserved it before but this year

Gruds and him were on par. Ellis was 2 points up on FP but Gruds had him in Range.

Sad Ellis did not get it, but he was not robbed.

Why don't they just lick their fingers? --

by novaoakland on Nov 2, 2006 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

Okay, so if range tipped the balance...

...Swisher robbed Ellis.

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

Just call Mark Ellis "small change"

As in:

small change got rained on with his own .249
and a fistful of Chav-gloves can't change that.

</Tom Waits>

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 2, 2006 2:55 PM PST reply actions

Is anyone else just a little happy

that Joe Crede didn't win JUST because of Ozzie's RUDE A$$ comments????

And I mean NO disrespect to Joe Crede at all. I think he is very talented. This is all about Ozzie.

*Nick Swisher is good. He is home-run-beltin', sideburn-wearin', nonstop-talkin', bear-hug-dispensin', self-proclaimin' good.*

by Swisherfor05ROY on Nov 2, 2006 2:56 PM PST reply actions

Would you look at that.

No Angels won. Huh.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 2, 2006 3:02 PM PST reply actions

How do you set the MLB record for FPCT at 2B...

and not win? What the effing hell?! You got robbed Ellie.

Nice job Chavvy!

Let's GO OAKLAND!!!

by OaktownRajah on Nov 2, 2006 3:04 PM PST reply actions

How do you set the MLB record for FPCT at 2B...

and not win? What the effing hell?! You got robbed Ellie.

Nice job Chavvy!

Let's GO OAKLAND!!!

by OaktownRajah on Nov 2, 2006 3:09 PM PST reply actions

It's just wrong...

...that Ellis was overlooked this season for the gold glove. He set a record for defense, i mean, my god, what more does he need to do?

I'm more angry that he was overlooked than I would be if Chavez hadn't won. Ellis is amazing defensively and definately deserved to win this season.

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." ~Ted Williams

by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 2, 2006 3:17 PM PST reply actions

Chavy gets props...Ellis gets screwed

This is great for Chavy and well deserved, but I think Ellis got hosed here. Didn't he have the best fielding % for a 2nd basemen in history?? And he loses to Mark G.? I guess if you play 2nd for a team that routinely throws 200 pitches a night you get many more chances to get plays in the field.

Next year Ellis, with Wash at the helm, next year.

by WannaBeGM on Nov 2, 2006 3:30 PM PST reply actions

Congrats to Chavy.....

6 and counting!

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Nov 2, 2006 3:43 PM PST reply actions

the best part of this is

telling Red Sox fans that Mike Lowell can shove it...

by digsthelongball on Nov 2, 2006 3:43 PM PST reply actions

AWWW

by gotgreen on Nov 2, 2006 3:56 PM PST reply actions

Next Season

I'd like for Chavvy to look between this picture and last season...He was carrying way too much weight around last season.

Only 22 HR's in 2006, but I'd say Chavvy saved at least 22 Runs with the Glove.

Congrats, Chavvy!

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Nov 2, 2006 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

Chavvy noticed it too

the extra weight, that is, and is on a mission to lose weight over the winter. I remember reading that. Ellis was totally robbed. It should be based on percentage, nothing else nothing more. Rediculous. Oh well. Way to do it, Chavvy!

by A'sfansince1970 on Nov 2, 2006 5:26 PM PST up reply actions

Percentages ...

that would be a great idea. We'd all be so excited this year after Chavvy won his second, closing a four year gap since his first one in 2001. How cool would that be?

Another project of Devo's

by devo on Nov 2, 2006 6:16 PM PST up reply actions

Those were the days.

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time

by athleticscatcher on Nov 2, 2006 4:39 PM PST up reply actions

Fresno

Who is the Fresno player next to Chavvy?

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Nov 2, 2006 4:48 PM PST up reply actions

I got ya one level earlier...

He is, after all, a former Huntsville Star. :D

"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Nov 2, 2006 5:12 PM PST up reply actions

Eric Chavez, Burger King (deposed)

but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Nov 2, 2006 6:58 PM PST up reply actions

They did a decent job for a change

I still don't like them treating the outfield as 1 position instead of giving the award to a left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder, but the choices were decent this year. You hate to see Ellis not get the nod, but at least they did the right thing and gave it to a quality defender who had a good year. Jeter should never get the award again as he is an average fielder, but that is the only real oversight. I was a bit worried about Chavy but I think he made enough Web Gems to keep him in the eyes of the East Coast media. Do you think that Rogers' glove with come equipped with pine tar resin and vaseline?

by titaniumaardvark on Nov 2, 2006 4:05 PM PST reply actions

A travesty

There comes a time when record-setting reliability trumps range. I don't care if a guy can run down a groundball from the the nosebleeds in left field and still get the out, when you set a record for defense, you deserve a Gold Glove. Screw the Royals.

Zito: I would never bet against this team. First of all because it's against the rules...

by Joey C. on Nov 2, 2006 4:31 PM PST reply actions

Nice job Chavvy.

The start of #7 coming up in just half a year.

"Meanwhile, Kirk Gibson's a [former] coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Nov 2, 2006 4:35 PM PST reply actions

I understood the Comeback...

Player last year--after all, it's sponsored by a performance-enhancing drug company, so they needed a proper model of pharmaceutically-based performance.

BUT who sponsors this one--the iron-on lettering company? And what kind of act does Ellis need to perform to impress them?

Dammit!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Nov 2, 2006 4:59 PM PST reply actions

Trying to figure out...

...how one wears a glove on each finger...especially large, gold baseball ones.

Methinks you're thinkin' rings, Blez. :)

Congratulations, Mr. Chavez!

"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Nov 2, 2006 5:16 PM PST reply actions

I definitely think Ellis was deserving,

but I don't recall Grudzy's throwing arm, and that's an area where MaEl certainly was weak. So between range and arm strength, I can at least see justification for selecting Grudz.

As for third base, Chavy deserved it, no question, IMO. Second, in my book, would go to Crede--he may not be as good as the Sox announcers think he is, but he's damn good.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 2, 2006 5:32 PM PST reply actions

A fisful is not enough, indeed...

...because I'd appreciate it if Chavez concentrated next year not so much on getting a seventh gold glove but on actually hitting in the clutch and being the kind of team leader in big games this team is in desperate need of. Sorry to rain on the parade, but Chavez shouldn't get a pass on a miserable 2006 just because he won another gold glove. He makes $11 million. He needs to be a better all around ballplayer.

by willcmatthews on Nov 4, 2006 7:20 AM PST reply actions

And I know, I know...

Chavez was injured all year and yet he still went out there day in and day out like a trooper. I've heard it. And I'm sick of hearing it. There is an excuse every single year about why this guy doesn't produce the way he should and the way he is expected to.

by willcmatthews on Nov 4, 2006 7:26 AM PST up reply actions