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Maddux Wins 14th Gold Glove

POSTED: 5:23 pm EST November 3, 2004

Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux won his 14th Gold Glove award Wednesday, while his former teammate, Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones, was honored for a seventh straight year for his outstanding defensive work.

The St. Louis Cardinals dominated the National League Gold Glove award voting as catcher Mike Matheny, third baseman Scott Rolen and outfielder Jim Edmonds were all selected for their spectacular play in the field.

Maddux, a four-time Cy Young Award winner, had captured 13 straight Gold Gloves until Mike Hampton stepped in last year and was voted with the honor. Maddux extended his own NL record for pitchers and climbed within two of the overall mark, held by Jim Kaat.

The 38-year-old Maddux committed just one error in 77 total chances this past season. He remains the only Cubs pitcher to ever win a Gold Glove Award. Maddux also won the award as a member of the Cubs from 1990-1992. He becomes the first Cubs player to win the award since Mark Grace did so in 1996.

Jones has been a dominant force in center field for the Braves the last seven years. This past season, he had 10 assists, just one shy of the NL lead in center, set by Edmonds and San Diego's Jay Payton.

Edmonds notched his seventh Gold Glove, including fifth consecutive in the National League. Rolen now has six Gold Gloves, including five straight. Matheny captured his third Gold Glove, also winning it in 2000 and last year.

This marks the third straight year the Cardinals have dominated the Gold Glove voting. They had four players win the top defensive awards in both 2002 and 2003.

Other NL Gold Glove winners were Colorado first baseman Todd Helton, Florida Marlins second baseman Luis Castillo and shortstop Cesar Izturis and outfielder Steve Finley of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Finley, who was traded to the Dodgers in mid-season from Arizona, won his fifth Gold Glove. Helton won his third Gold Glove, while Castillo earned his second straight.

It was the first Gold Glove for Izturis. He became the first Dodger shortstop to take home that award since Maury Wills in 1962.

"I've been very open and honest for the last three seasons that I believe Cesar is the best defensive shortstop in the National League and I'm thrilled that his peers around the league agree," said Dodgers manager Jim Tracy. "Steve has established himself as one of the top outfielders in the National League over the past decade and played a very big part in our run to the National League Western Division title."

Prior to this season, the last Dodger to win a Gold Glove Award was catcher Charles Johnson, who took home the honor in 1998. The last time the team won two Gold Gloves in the same season was in 1975, when first baseman Steve Garvey and pitcher Andy Messersmith each won an award.

The awards, presented since 1957 by Rawlings, are voted on by managers and coaches. The voters may not select players on their own teams, and can vote only for players in their own league.

The American League winners were announced Tuesday with Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez highlighting the victors with his 11th Gold Glove.

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